Mid- to Late- December, 2011 Hay Price Update
These are hay prices paid at auction in the recent past weeks. Much of the price information is obtained from USDA Hay Market News. Personal contacts of local Iowa hay auctions secured price information for these market outlets. Auctions were chosen to reflect prices across Iowa. Other nearby auctions may exist. No endorsement of the listed auctions is intended.
The USDA Market News group uses the following hay classification designations in their market price reports. Of all hay sold, 1% or less would be designated in the supreme class. There is a general relationship between visual characteristics and forage analyses. If possible, the following Hay test analyses ranges (on dry matter basis) should be used to establish the appropriate quality designation.
When feeding livestock, sample all forage lots and use forage analysis information for balancing livestock rations.
Relative Acid Neutral (Alfalfa*) (Mixed & Grass)
Feed Detergent Detergent Crude Crude
Value Fiber Fiber Protein Protein
RFV ) (ADF) (NDF) (CP) (CP)
index % % % %
Supreme > 185 < 27 < 34 > 22 **
Premium 170-185 27-29 34-36 20-22 >13
Good 150-170 29-32 36-40 18-20 9 -13
Fair 130-150 32-35 40-44 16-18 5 - 9
Utility < 130 > 35 > 44 < 16 <5
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* Alfalfa & alfalfa with up to 10% grass (USDA)
** The 'Supreme' category is not appropriate for grass hays
Visual hay quality descriptions used in the USDA Hay Market News.
(Note: these visual traits do not necessarily equate to the forage analysis ranges listed in the previous chart.)
Supreme
Very early maturity, pre-bloom, soft, fine stemmed, extra-leafy. Factors indicative of very high nutritive content. Hay is excellent color and free of damage.
Premium
(dairy quality) pre bloom or very early bloom legumes, grass vegetative, generally green with no rain damage
Good
(dairy and feedlot quality) early to mid-bloom legumes, grass vegetative or very early head, generally no rain
Fair
(feedlot or beef quality) mid- to late-bloom legumes, grass headed, coarse/stemmy, may show some rain damage
Utility
(formerly 'Low') - very late maturity, or very coarse/stemmy, or considerable discoloration or rain damage
___________________________________________________________
Fort Atkinson (NE IA) Wednesdays, 1:00PM
(Kind and Quality of lots not stated)
Alfalfa 1st Cut: SmSq $120-150/T; LgSq $75-215/T; LgRd $ 40-150/T
2nd Cut: SmSq $145-190/T ; LgSq $100-150/T; LgRd $80-165/T
3rd Cut: SmSq $130-220/T; LgSq $100-215/T; LgRd $95-160/T
4th Cut: ( SmSq $125-215/T Nov); LgSq $115-200/T; LgRd $100-150/T
Grass: Good SmSq $125/T; LgSq $110/T; LgRd $75-135/T
Straw: SmSq $160-205/T; LgSq $95/T
Cornstalks: (SmSq $60/T; LgSq $65/T Nov) ; LgRd $40-50/T
Dyersville (NE IA ) Thursdays 10:30 AM
Alfalfa:
Supreme: ( LgSq $300/T Nov)
Premium: LgSq $180-220/T; (LgRd $160-170/T Nov)
Good: SmSq $2.70/bale; LgSq $145-190/T; LgRd $120-165/T
Fair: LgSq $120-140/T; LgRd $90-125/T
Utility: (SmSq $3.20/bale Nov); LgSq $135-145/T; LgRd $70-100/T
Mixed Legume/Gr
Prem/Good: LgSq $155-205/T
Good:)( LgRd $130-195/T Nov)
Grass:
Good: ( LgRd $120-180/T Nov)
Oat Hay: LgRd $102.50/T
CRP: good LgRd $110/T
Prairie Hay: LgRd $90/T
Straw: (SmSq $1.30-3.60/bale Nov); LgSq $27-43/bale
Cornstalks: LgRd $30-33/bale
Riceville (NE IA) 1st & 3rd Fri Sales
Alfalfa: LgSq $ 165/T
Mixed Legume/Gr : (SmSq $2.50-4.15/bale; LgSq $150/T Nov); LgSq $130-145T
Grass: (LgSq $50/bale Nov.)
Straw: LgSq 130/T
Cornstalks: LgSq $15/bale; (LgRd $20/bale Nov)
Forest City (NC IA) (Wed eve. sales)
Alf &Mixed Leg/Gr : SmSq $3.25-5.50/bale; LgRd $55-65/bale
Grass: SmSq $2.25-3.50/bale : LgSq $35-45/bale; LgRd $55-65/bale
Straw: SmSq $2.25-3.00/bale; (LgSq $50-65/bale Nov)
Cornstalks: SmSq $1.25-2.00/bale; LgRd $15-20/bale
Spencer Livestock Sales (NW IA) (2nd & 4th Tuesdays)
Alfalfa: SmSq $4.50-5.50/b; LgRd $145-165/T
Mixed Legume/Gr: SmSq $4.75-5.25/b; LgRd $125-140/T
Grass: SmSq $3.75-4.75/bale; LgRd $95-107.50/T
Straw: SmSq $4.00/b
Cornstalks: LgRd $20-35bale
Rock Valley (NW IA) (Monday & Thursdays 1:00PM)
Alfalfa
Supreme: LgSq $205-250/T; LgRd $195-230/T
Premium: LgSq $170-190/T ; LgRd $170-195/T
Good: SmSq $142.50-150/T; LgSq $167.50/T; LgRd $130-167.50/T
Fair: LgRd $122.50-125/T
Mixed Hay
Premium: LgSq $175/T; LgRd $160-190/T
Good: LgSq $115/T; LgRd $125-150/T
Fair: LgRd $92.50-120/T
Utility: LgRd $75-92.50/T
Grass Hay
Premium: SmSq $135-170/T; LgSq $160-165/T; LgRd $130-180/T
Good: LgSq $120-140/T; LgRd $110-125/T
Fair: SmSq $90/T, ( $2.00/bale Nov); LgSq $95/T; LgRd $90-107.50/T
Utility: LgSq $75/T; LgRd $75-87.50/T
Oat Hay: LgRd $92.50/T
Straw: LgSq $77.50-120/T, $27/bale; LgRd $20-97.50/T
Cornstalks: SmSq $1.05/bale; LgSq $20/bale; LgRd $30-47.50/T
Soybean ‘Straw’: (LgSq $37.50/bale; LgRd $45/bale Nov)
Maurice (NW IA) (Thurs 12:30P)
Alfalfa:
Supreme: LgSq $195/T; LgRd $190-240/T
Premium: LgSq $190-200/T; LgRd $165-200/T
Good: ( LgRd $135/T Nov)
Mixed Legume/Grass:
Premium: LgSq $150./T; (LgRd $145-155/T Nov)
Good: (LgSq $115/T Nov); LgRd $140/T
Grass:
Premium: (LgSq $170/T Nov); LgRd $150-155/T
Good: LgRd $125-145/T
Fair: LgSq $110/T; LgRd $110-125/T
Straw: LgRd $120/T
Cornstalks: SmSq $1.75/bale; (LgRd $ 40/bale
Denison (WC IA) (Sat 11:00A)
Alfalfa: LgSq $127.50/bale; LgRd $137.50/bale
Mixed: SmSq $3.75-8.50/bale; (LgSq $90-105/bale Nov)
Grass: SmSq $2.25-5.60/bale; (LgSq $67.50-69/T Nov); LgRd $82.50/bale
Straw: SmSq 5.00/bale
Cornstalks: SmSq $2.50/bale; LgRd $29-32/bale
Stuart (WC IA) Noon Saturdays
Alfalfa & Mixed Legume/Gr : SmSq $3.60-5.20/bale; LgRd $75-90/bale
Grass: SmSq $3.40/bale; (LgSq $60-68/bale Nov); LgRd $56-80/bale
Straw: (SmSq $3.0/bale; LgRd $30-35/bale Nov)
Cornstalks: LgRd $30-34/bale
Perry (Central Iowa) (Sat Noon)
Alfalfa: SmSq $3.00-8.50/bale; (LgSq $100-105/T Nov); LgRd $95-100/bale
Mixed Legume/Gr: LgSq $105/bale
Grass: SmSq $3.00-5.00/b: LgSq $72-75/bale; LgRd $80-85/bale
Straw: SmSq $4.00/bale; LgSq $ 40/bale
Cornstalks: LgRd $25-28/bale
Private Broker Sales -- Ave. of prices from
South Central Iowa (Indianola & Adair); and North Central Iowa, (Hampton)
Alfalfa:
Supreme $300/T
Prem SmSq $220-240/T ; (LgSq $220/T Nov)
Prem/Good LgSq $190-200/T
Good/Fair : LgSq $170-180/T
Good; LgRd $120
Fair: (LgRd $110/T delivered Nov)
Mixed Legume/Grass
Prem SmSq, $200-220/T
Good LgSq $160/T
Grass: Quality not stated LgSq $120/T
Straw: SmSq $160/T; LgSq$140-145/T
Cornstalks: LgRd $100/T
Shell Rock (NE IA) (2nd & 4th Saturday )
Alfalfa & Mixed Leg/Gr: SmSq $3.85-6.10/b; LgSq $50-62.50/b; LgRd $30-82.50/b
Grass: SmSq $2.90-5.20/bale; LgSq $45/bale; ( LgRd $32.50-87.50/bale Nov)
Cornstalks: SmSq $2.10/bale; LgRd $21/bale
Edgewood (NE IA) (Tues. 11AM)
Alfalfa: SmSq $160-185/T; LgSq $85-180/T
Mixed Leg/Gr: LgSq $115-225/T; (LgRd $100-165/bale Nov)
Grass: LgRd $70-115/T
Straw: LgSq $40-46/bale
Cornstalks: LgRd $23-32/bale
Keosauqua (SE IA) Sat 11:30A
Alfalfa & Mixed Lg/Gr: SmSq $6.00-8.00/bale
Grass : SmSq $3.50-6.50/bale
Straw: SmSq $2.50-4.25/bale
Cornstalks: SmSq $2.00/bale
Kalona Auction (SE IA) Thursdays 11:00 AM
Alfalfa : SmSq $10.00/bale
Mixed Leg/Gr: SmSq $5.20-7.00/bale; (LgSq $51/bale; LgRd $22-137.50/bale Nov)
Grass: (SmSq $4.40/bale Nov); LgSq $56-67.50/b; LgRd $70-140/bale
“Baleage” (forage type and bale type not stated) $30/bale
Straw: SmSq $2.75-.50/bale
Cornstalks: LgRd $25-40/bale
Yoder Auction (Frytown) (SE IA) 1st Weds, 11:30AM (winter 1st & 3rd Weds Oct-)
Alfalfa: SmSq $4.30-8.75/bale; LgSq$90 -97.50/bale; LgRd $105/bale)
Mixed Leg/Gr : (LgSq $82.50/b Nov); LgRd $67.50-84/bale
Grass: SmSq $4.00-5.10/bale; (LgSq $46-72/bale; LgRd $67.50-77.50/bale Nov)
Straw $2.00-3.10/bale
Cornstalks: LgRd $32/bale
Creston (SW IA) 10:30AM Friday
Alfalfa & Mixed Lg/Gr: SmSq $4.75-6.00/bale; LgRd $42-76/bale
Straw: (LgRd $27/bale Nov)
Cornstalks: LgRd $29/bale
Red Oak (SW IA) Saturday sales
Alfalfa & Mixed Legume/Gr: SmSq $4.50-9.75/bale; LgRd $65-70/b
Grass: SmSq $4.00-9.75/bale; LgRd $60-68/bale
Oat Hay: LgRd $70/bale
Straw: SmSq $5.75/bale
"Missouri Market" (Mid- to late- December 2011 USDA Market Price Report)
Alfalfa ( Supreme (RFV >185): SmSq $150-195/T Nov)
(Prem (RFV 170-180): SmSq $130-175/T Nov)
Good/Fair: (RFV 130-170) SmSq $150-250/T
Mixed Leg/Gr: Good $100-185/T
Grass :
(Supreme/Premium SmSq $4.00-8.00/bale Nov)
Prem/Good LgSq $100-200/T
Good (SmSq $3.00-6.00/bale Nov); $85-135/T
Good/Fair LgRd $50-85/bale
Fair LgRd $75-125/bale
(Prairie hay: Prem/Good SmSq $80-120/T; Good/Fair LgRd $40-80/T Nov)
Bermudagrass Good $$125-275/T; Good/Fair $100-150/T
Straw: SmSq $3.00-6.00/bale
Cornstalks: LgRd $25-35/bale
"Northern & Central Illinois (December 2011 USDA Market Report)
Alfalfa
Supreme: (LgSq $225-235/T Nov)
Premium: SmSq $240-280/T: LgSq $220-260/T
Good: SmSq $200-240/T; LgSq $180-225/T: LgRd $100-140/T
Fair: SmSq $120-160/T; LgSq $100-190/T; LgRd $100-180/T
Utility: SmSq $60-100/T; LgSq $90-120/T; LgRd $60-90/T
Mixed Leg/Grass
Premium: SmSq $240-280/T; LgSq $200-245/T
Good: SmSq $200-240/T; LgSq $180-225/T; LgRd $100-140/T
Fair: SmSq $120-160/T; LgSq $140-160/T; LgRd $80-100/T
Utility: SmSq $60-80/T; LgSq $60-80/T; LgRd $60-80/T
Grass:
Premium: SmSq $160-200/T; LgSq $160-180/T; LgRd $100-120/T
Good : SmSq $160-180/T; LgSq $140-180/T; LgRd $80-100/T
Fair: SmSq $120-140/T; LgSq $100-140/T; LgRd $60-115/T
Utility; SmSq $60-80/T; LgSq $60-80/T: LgRd $45-60/T
Straw: SmSq $2.50-4.00/bale, $130-150/T; LgSq $115-135/T; LgRd $70-95/T
Wisconsin 'Market'
Sheboygan Co – Waldo
Dec 14, 2011 Auction
Mixed Legume Grass, 1st cut, ‘Med’LgSq bales $32.50 /bale (est per T $162.60)
"Minnesota (Pipestone) Market"-SW MN (Mid- to late- December 2011 USDA Market Report)
Alfalfa
Supreme: (SmSq $165-175/T; LgSq $165/T; LgRd $162.50-175/T Nov)
Premium: SmSq $165/T; LgSq $155/T; LgRd $ 145-175/T
Good: (SmSq $4.10-4.40/bale Nov); LgRd $95-145/T
Fair: SmSq $3.75/bale; LgSq $100/T; LgRd $80-115/T
Mixed Leg/Gr
Premium: LgRd $130-180/T
Good: SmSq $105-115/T ; LgRd $90-125/T
Fair: LgRd $70-85/T
Utility: LgRd $50-55/T
Grass
Premium: SmSq $150/T; LgRd $160-170/T
Good: SmSq $90/T ; LgSq $120-140/T; LgRd $95-145/T
Fair: SmSq $70-80/T ; LgSq $105/T; LgRd $80-110/T
Utility: LgRd $45-75/T
Straw: SmSq $2.50-5.20/bale; LgSq $130/T, ($24/bale Nov); LgRd $29/bale
Cornstalks: LgRd $14-25/bale
"South Dakota - East River” (Mid- to late- December 2011 USDA Market Report)
Alfalfa
Supreme: LgSq $220-265/T, $275/T delivered; (LgRd $220/T Nov)
Supreme Compressed ( 16”x18’x22’, 60 lb bales FOB Yankton, SD) $330-355/T
Premium: LgSq $185-225/T; LgRd $190/T.
(Prem Compressed ( 16”x18’x22’, 60 lb bales FOB Yankton, SD) $290/T Nov)
Good: LgSq $185-190/T; LgRd $160-175/T
(Good Compressed ( 16”x18’x22’, 60 lb bales FOB Yankton, SD) $290/T Nov)
Fair: LgSq $175/T ; LgRd $140-150/T
Utility: LgSq $150-160/T, $175/T delivered ; LgRd $125-160/T, $60/T in field
Mixed Leg/Gr:
Prem: LgSq $220-285/T
( Prem. Compressed ( 16”x18’x22’, 60 lb bales FOB Yankton, SD Prem $295-310/T Nov)
Fair: LgRd $130/T
Utility: (LgRd $80-90/T Nov)
Grass:
Premium: LgSq $170/T, $180/T delivered; (LgRd $140/T Nov)
Compressed ( 16”x18’x22’, 60 lb bales FOB Yankton, SD
Prem Prairie Hay $252.50/T
Prem Timothy Hay $250/T
Good : (LgSq $150/T del Nov); LgRd $120-160/T
Fair: LgRd $80-0100/T
Utility: LgSq $90-100/T; LgRd $90-105/T, $60/T in field
Oat Hay: LgRd 170/T del.
Straw: LgSq $110/T; LgRd $110/T
Cornstalks: LgRd $40-50/T
Alcester, SD (SE SD) USDA Market Report)
Alfalfa:
Supreme: (SmSq $200/T Nov); LgRd $160/T
Premium: (SmSq $180/T Nov); LgRd $135-150/T
Good: LgRd $110-130/T
Grass:
Premium; SmSq $190/T; (LgRd $220/T Nov)
Good: SmSq $140/T; LgRd $125-140/T
Fair: LgRd $95//T
Straw: SmSq $3.75/bale
Cornstalks: (SmSq $2.30/bale Nov); LgRd $35/bale
Soybean ‘straw’: (LgRd $45/T Nov)
Nebraska Market" (Mid- to late- December 2011 USDA Report)
Alfalfa
Premium (LgSq $180-200/T Nov)
Good : LgSq $145-165/T; LgRd $120-135/T
Fair: ( LgSq $140-150/T Nov); LgRd $100-120/T
Grass:
Good: LgSq $145/T; LgRd $95/T
Fair: SmSq $125-135/T, $6.00/bale; LgRd $70-75/T
Straw: LgRd $60-70/T
Cornstalks: LgSq $80/T; LgRd $50-60/T, ($75/T delivered Nov)
‘Cane’ (sorghum & sorghumxsudangrass): LgRd $70-80/T
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Internet-based Hay Source possibilities:
The USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA), responded to drought-induced hay and pasture deficit conditions by its establishing a www website - Hay Net - for producers to list information concerning the need for hay or the availability of hay. The WWW link to this site is listed below.
Using the USDA Hay Net page is not as user-friendly as the earlier version. If you want to see the listings 'for sale', In the center-right 'box' on the page, select the line 'Access eHayNet Service'. That will take you to the 2nd page where you must choose either: NEED (hay ads) or HAVE (hay ads). Then a 'state' (the state where the hay is listed,). The 'Select' button will then take you to the listings for that state. Contacts and a limited description of hay available or needed can be found. As with other 'hay list'-type www sites, price and details about sales transactions must be completed between buyer and seller. Note: Not all lots listed for a state are located in that state, approximately half are from other states and Canada
http://www.fsa.usda.gov/FSA/hayNet?area=online&subject=landing&topic=han&setflag=welcome
I checked this site on 31 December, 2011 and found the following # of listings:
State Listings
Iowa 4
Missouri 5
Illinois 2
Wisconsin 3
Minnesota 3
South Dakota 1
Nebraska 4
IOWA HAY & STRAW DIRECTORY
The Marketing Division of the Iowa Dept. of Agriculture and Land Stewardship publishes a Hay & Straw Directory each Autumn. It includes names & contact information for hay sellers, hay brokers, auctions, commercial grinders, hay market associations, etc,. They are taking new listings anytime and post them on the WWW Hay and Straw Directory site. Clients are encouraged to use the WWW site. A few printed booklets may be available, but may not be as 'up-to-date' as is the WWW site version. Phone 1-800-383-5079 or (515) 281-5993 for information, or their WWW site: http://idalsdata.org/IowaData/hayAndStraw.cfm
See Information on the ....
Iowa Noxious Weed Seed Free Forage & Mulch Programbeing managed by the Iowa Crop Improvement Association.
Rules; fees; current listings
http://www.agron.iastate.edu/icia/Forage_Mulch.htm
Upper Midwest Haylist
"Electronic Market Service of Buyers and Sellers"
The Upper Midwest Haylist allows sellers to list lots of hay for 30-60 days, free of charge; & for buyers to access it for hay availability. Sellers can include: name, address, Phone/FAX/e-mail, type of hay (>95%alfalfa, Alf/Gr, Clover, >95% Grass etc), type of bale, which cutting ex. 2000 2nd, tons/bales available, quality ex. RFV or CP, asking price per ton.
http://www.haylist.umn.edu/index.asp
On 31 December, 2011 the following was listed.
State Listings
Iowa 0
Missouri 0
Illinois 0
Wisconsin 0
Minnesota 2
South Dakota 0
Nebraska 0
WWW 'Hay Lists' from other surrounding states....
South Dakota State University Extension Service -- "Feed Finder"
/ Hay List This www site provides opportunity to 'post messages' about hay for sale, 'hay wanted', 'pasture for rent' etc. Use this www address:
http://sdces.sdstate.edu:8080/FeedFinder/?14@778.2gy9a9EQbao.0@
Wisconsin Extension provides a forage hay-list that it has established
Listings are by county. The list can be found at the following www site:
http://farmertofarmer.uwex.edu/
Missouri Hay Market www site.
http://mda.mo.gov/abd/haydirectory/
or call 1-800-877-4HAY (4429)
Nebraska Alfalfa Marketing Assn www site. Browse through the
"Inventory" tab. http://www.nebraska-alfalfa.com/
Colorado A PDF version of the Colorado Hay Directory can be found on the "Colorado Hay Directory" link on the Colorado Hay and Forage Assn www page
http://www.coloradohay.org/controller/home?_load=default
Commercial www sites
INTERNET HAY EXCHANGE
http://hay-for-sale.com/
Buyers and sellers can place and find specifics about type of hay, location, quantity, price, quality, delivery options, etc. on this commercial internet site. On 31 December, 2011 listings were:
State Listings
Iowa 55
Missouri 59
Illinois 35
Wisconsin 37
Minnesota 53
South Dakota 22
Nebraska 37
Bid-4-Hay
http://www.bid4hay.com/index.php?a=28&b=142&redirect_check=4
Operating in Oklahoma. It is an online hay classifieds and auction listing service. Allows listing and searching for hay. The interactive 'search' engine asks for your Zip Code and the distance range that you would like to search in. On 31 December, 2011 there were 0 listings for hay within 300 miles of Ames Iowa.
http://sellmyhay.com/picturebrowse.php (Formerly Internet Hay Auction)
Midwestern Cattle Marketing, LLC (a Sidney, NE, company specializing in video cattle auctions) has established a www-based hay listing service. Sellers ‘register’ and pay a fee for listings. Buyers search the ‘Hay for Sale’ link on the page. You are taken to the current listings. BY ‘clicking’ on the photo, details about the listing is provided.
Agri Hay Exchange
http://www.agrihayexchange.com/hay/haylistings.aspx?ltID=2
Operating out of Pennsylvania. It is an online classified listing. It allows for free searching for hay etc. but requires registration on the site. There is a subscription fee for hay wanted and for sale listings on the site, and to advertise. On 31 December, 2011 there were 7 listings for Iowa.
Hay For Sale.co
http://www.hayforsale.co/
This is an ‘international’ site. It is a website which uses geographic search and maps to aid in finding hay or bedding. The initial ‘search’ screen allows you to identify an address, town, county, National Park etc. and it will provide near-by sources in their listings. There is a cost to get details, contact info etc. about the sources identified. The site charges, via PayPal, to access any contact details.
According to the site, this will give you access to all of the listings on the Hay for Sale .co for 24 hours.
ForageList.com
This is a start-up internet-accessible site that is quickly getting new hay listings.
Listings searchable by state or Canadian Proveince. Listings are ‘linked’ from The screen-view to a page with more detailed information about the listing,Including a ‘Google Map’ of the sellers location.
http://www.foragelist.com/
The 'Hay Barn"
http://www.haybarn.com/reports/showads.asp?category=Hay
Hay listings are grouped by state. Sellers list type, description, sometimes price, and telephone number.
The Haymarket
http://www.case-agworld.com/cAw.HM.html The 'main page' has a lot of information. About 1/4 of the way down the page are some 'www links' to hay-related listings by 'region of the country. This leads to various formats of hay listings.
---------------------------
Stephen K. Barnhart
Professor of Agronomy - Forages Extension
1015 Agronomy Hall, Iowa State University
Ames, IA 50011-1010
Phone (Office) (515) 294-7835 email sbarnhar@iastate.edu