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
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
* 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
This report for mid- to late-September 2009
Fort Atkinson (NE IA) Wednesdays, 1:00PM
(Kind and Quality of lots not stated)
1st Cut: LgSq $92.50/T; LgRd $50-110/T
2nd Cut: SmSq $85-145/T ; LgSq $75-175/T; LgRd $65-120/T
3rd Cut: SmSq $85-170/T; LgSq $70-150/T; LgRd $70-125/T
4th Cut: LgSq $85-145/T
Grass: (Quality not stated) SmSq $65-105/T; LgSq $55-100/T; LgRd $75-90/T
Oat Hay: SmSq $60/T; ( LgRd $40-60/T Aug)
Straw: SmSq $70-80/T; LgSq $45-55/T; LgRd $55/T
Cornstalks: LgRd $45/T
Dyersville (NE IA ) Thursdays 10:30 AM
Alfalfa:
Supreme: LgSq $165-175/T
Premium: LgSq $120-180/T; LgRd $105-115/T
Good: (SmSq $1.00-2.00/bale Aug); LgSq $80-135/T; LgRd $60-112.50/T
Fair: (SmSq $1.75/bale Aug); LgSq $50-82.50/T; LgRd $45-70/T
Utility: (SmSq $1.20/bale Aug); LgSq $15-70/T; LgRd $22.50-45/T
Mixed Legume/Gr
Good: LgSq $100-115/T; LgRd $80-105/T
Grass: Good LgRd $70/T
Prairie hay: (LgRd $60/T Aug)
CRP LgRd $25/T
Straw: SmSq ($1.75/bale Aug); LgSq $15-33//bale; LgRd $21/b, $50/T
Cornstalks: LgSq $12.50-19/bale; LgRd $23/bale
Flax 'straw': LgRd $11/bale
Riceville (NE IA) 1st & 3rd Fri Sales
Alfalfa: LgSq $140/T
Mixed: SmSq $3.00/bale
Grass: LgSq $120/T
Straw: SmSq $1.50/bale; LgSq $95/T
Edgewood (NE IA) (Tues. 11AM)
Alfalfa: SmSq $100-135/T; LgSq $120-130/T; LgRd $82.50-120/T
Mixed Leg/Gr: (SmSq $85-115/T Aug)
Grass: (LgSq $75-115/T Aug); LgRd $45-75/T
Oat Hay: (LgSq $60-78/T; LgRd $55-65/T Aug)
CRP: LgRd $45-55/T
Straw: SmSq $2.00-3.00/b; LgSq $30-34/bale; LgRd $60/T
Forrest City (NC IA) (Wed eve. sales)
Alfalfa: SmSq $4.50-5.00/b; (LgRd $40-45/bale Aug)
Mixed Leg/Gr: SmSq $3.50-4.25/bale; LgRd $40/b
Grass: SmSq $2.50-3.25/bale; LgRd $35/bale
Oat Hay: (SmSq $2.25/bale Aug)
Straw: SmSq $2.50-3.00/bale
Spencer Livestock Sales (NW IA) (2nd & 4th Tuesdays)
Alfalfa& Mixed: SmSq $3.60-4.00/bale; LgRd $72.50-82.50/T
Mixed: SmSq $3.30-3.50/bale
Grass: SmSq $2.70-3.40/bale; LgRd $60-72.50/T
Straw: SmSq $3.40/b
Oat Hay: LgRd $40-45/T
'Grinding Hay: LgRd $50-62.50/T
Rock Valley (NW IA) (Monday & Thursdays 1:00PM)
Alfalfa
Supreme: (LgSq $120/T Aug)
Premium: SmSq $102.50T; LgSq $100-112.50/T; LgRd $90-112.50/T
Good: SmSq $85/T; LgSq $75-95/T; LgRd $70-92.50/T
Fair: LgSq $62.50-65/T; LgRd $50-65/T
Utility: (LgSq $55/T Aug); LgRd $25-42.50/T
Mixed Hay
Premium: SmSq $105/T; LgRd $92.50/T
Good: SmSq $85/T; LgSq $75-87.50/T; LgRd $72.50-87.50/T
Fair: LgRd $57.50-62.50/T
Grass Hay
Premium: SmSq $100-105/T; (LgRd $92.50-95/T Aug)
Good: SmSq $77.50-95/T; LgSq $67.50-85/T; LgRd $67.50-85/T
Fair: SmSq $55/T; LgSq $55-57.50/T; LgRd $50-65/T
Straw: LgRd $47.50-70/T
Maurice (NW IA) (Thurs 12:30P)
Alfalfa:
Premium: (SmSq $115/T Aug); LgSq $90-100/T; LgRd $90-102.50/T
Good: (SmSq $87.50-90/T Aug); LgSq $70-85/T; LgRd $72.50-90/T
Fair: (LgRd $65-57.50/T Aug)
Utiliry: LgSq $40-52.50/T; LgRd $60-67.50/T
Grass:
Premium: SmSq $100-140T; LgRd $90/T
Good: SmSq $85/T; LgSq $72.50/T; LgRd $67.50-87.50/T
Fair: LgRd $60-65/T
Utility: (LgRd $40/T Aug)
Straw: (LgSq $57.50/T Aug); LgRd $57.50/T
Denison (WC IA) (Sat 11:00A)
Alfalfa&Mixed: SmSq $1.75-4.00/b; LgSq $43/bale; LgRd $31-35/bale
Grass: (SmSq $2.40-2.70/bale; LgRd $31-40/b Aug)
Straw: (SmSq $ 2.20/bale; LgSq $13/b Aug)
Stuart (WC IA) Noon Saturdays
Alfalfa: SmSq $3.60-4.00/bale
Mixed Leg/Gr: SmSq $2.60-4.00/b; LgSq $48/b; (LgRd $40-55/b Aug)
Grass: SmSq $2.30-4.10/bale
Perry (Central Iowa) (Sat Noon)
Alfalfa : SmSq $3.00-5.50/b; (LgSq $45/b Aug); LgRd $48-60/b
Mixed Leg/Gr: (LgRd $55/b Aug)
Grass: SmSq $2.75-4.25/bale; LgRd $45/bale
Oat Hay: (SmSq $2.00-2.25/b Aug)
Straw: SmSq $2.50/bale;
Private Broker Sales -- Ave. of prices from
South Central Iowa (Indianola & Adair); and North Central Iowa, (Hampton)
Alfalfa
Premium: SmSq $200-225/T; LgSq $200-225/; LgRd $110-125/T
Good: (SmSq $175-180/T; LgSq $ 175-180/T Aug)
Fair: LgRd $55-65/T
Walcott (EC IA) 2nd Sat Dec-Mar; Noon
Sales Resume in the fall)
Keosauqua (SE IA) Sat 11:30A
Alfalfa: SmSq $1.50-3.75/bale:
Grass : SmSq $2.00/bale
Straw: SmSq $2.25/bale
Kalona (SE IA) 1st Thurs, Yr-round 11:30AM (& 3rd Thurs Oct-winter)
Alfalfa : (SmSq $$2.80-3.30/b); LgRd $65-182/T
Mixed Leg/Gr: SmSq $2.80-4,80.bale; LgRd $42.50-60/bale
Grass: SmSq $2.80-3.75/bale
Straw: SmSq $3.00/bale
Creston (SW IA) 10:30AM Friday
Alfalfa & Mixed: SmSq $2.00-3.90/bale; (LgRd $45-55/b Aug)
Grass: LgRd $25/bale
Oat Hay: (SmSq $2.50/bale Aug)
Straw: SmSq $2.00-2.50/bale
Red Oak (SW IA) Saturday sales
Alfalfa: SmSq $2.00-3.60/bale; L:gRd $40/bale
Mixed Leg/Gr: (SmSq $2.25-3.50/bale Aug)
Grass: SmSq $1.50-3.00/bale; LgRd $30-38/bale
Straw: (SmSq $1.60-2.10/bale Aug)
"Missouri Market" (Mid / Late- Sept 2009 USDA Market Price Report)
Alfalfa Supreme (RFV >185): SmSq $150-180/T
Prem (RFV 170-180): SmSq $140-175/T
Good/Fair: (RFV 130-170) SmSq $100-150/T; LgSq $100-150/T; LgRd $80-140/T
Mixed Leg/Gr: Good SmSq $3.50-6.50/bale LgRd $30-60/bale
Grass :
Timothy SmSq $3.50-6.50/bale
Good/Prem LgSq $80-150/T
Good SmSq $50-120/T
Mixed grass: Prem/Good $75-125/T; Good: $40-80/T; Fair LgRd $20-50/b
Prairie hay: Prem/Good SmSq $80-125/T; Good/Fair LgRd $35-75/T
Bluestem Good/Fair LgRd $40/bale
Bermudagrass Good/Fair $70-100/T
Straw: SmSq $2.00-4.00/bale
"Northern & Central Illinois (September 2009 USDA Market Report)
Alfalfa
Premium: SmSq $160-180/T: LgSq $165-170/T
Good: SmSq $140-160/T; LgSq $120-150/T: LgRd $100-120/T
Fair: SmSq $100-120/T; LgSq $70-110/T; LgRd $50-80//T
Utility: SmSq $40-60/T; LgSq $60-80/T; LgRd $45-60/T
Mixed Leg/Grass
Premium: SmSq $160-180/T; LgSq $160-165/T
Good: SmSq $140-160/T; LgSq $110-140/T; LgRd $80-100/T
Fair: SmSq $80-120/T; LgSq $100-130/T; LgRd $55-60/T
Utility: SmSq $40-60/T; LgSq $60-80/T; LgRd $40-60/T
Grass:
Premium: SmSq $120-1360/T; LgSq $120-130/T; LgRd $100/T
Good : SmSq $100-1240/T; LgSq $100-120/T; LgRd $80-100/T
Fair: SmSq $80-100/T; LgSq $80-100/T; LgRd $45-80/T
Utility; SmSq $40-60/T; LgSq $60-80/T: LgRd $50/T
Straw: SmSq $2.00-2.50/b, $90-120/T; LgSq $70-85/T; LgRd $45-70/T
Wisconsin 'Market'
Waldo Tested Auction (EC) WI)
Sales resume in Fall 2009
Beaver Dam, Tested Auction (EC)WI)
Sales resume in Fall 2009
Houston County MN Tested Hay Auction (2nd Fri, Dec-March)
(Auctions Resume in the Autumn)
"Minnesota (Pipestone) Market"-SW MN (Mid- to late Sept, 2009 USDA Market Report)
Alfalfa
Premium: SmSq $105/T; LgSq $100/T; LgRd $90-105/T
Good: LgSq $77.50/T; LgRd $70-87.50/T
Fair: LgRd $60-72.50/T
Utility: LgRd $47.50-50/T
Mixed Leg/Gr
Premium: SmSq $97.50/T; LgRd $102.50/T
Good: LgRd $75-82.50/T
Fair: LgSq $25/bale; LgRd $52.50-67.50/T
Utility: LgRd $42.50/T
Grass
Premium: SmSq $90-107.50/T; LgSq $95/T
Good: SmSq $85/T; LgSq $80-87.50/T; LgRd $70-90/T
Fair: SmSq $52.50/T; LgRd $50-67.50/T
Utility: LgRd $40-47.50/T
Straw: SmSq $1.80-2.25/bale; (LgSq $23/bale Aug); LgRd $20-29/b
Cornstalks: LgRd $11/bale
"South Dakota Market" (Mid- to Late- Sept, 2009 USDA Market Report)
Alfalfa
Supreme: LgSq $125-150/T
Premium: LgSq $100-125/T
Good LgSq $90; $125/T delivered
Fair: LgSq $65-75105/T
Utility: (LgSq $45-60/T Aug); LgRd $50/T
Mixed Leg/Gr:
Good (LgRd $50/T Aug)
Fair: LgRd 40-45/T
Grass:
Good LgSq $80-85/T; LgRd $80/T
Fair: LgRd $70/T delivered
Utility: LgSq $50/T
Straw: LgSq $55-60T, $40/T in field; LgRd $55-60T, $40/T in field
Alcester, SD (SE SD) (USDA Report)
Sales resume in Fall 2009
Nebraska Market" (Mid- to late Sept, 2009 USDA Report)
Alfalfa
'Grinding Hay - ground & delivered' $75-95/T
----------------------------------------
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 29 September, 2009 and found the following
# of listings:
State Listings
Iowa 1
Missouri 6
Illinois 2
Wisconsin 5
Minnesota 2
South Dakota 0
Nebraska 2
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://www.agriculture.state.ia.us/Horticulture_and_FarmersMarkets/hayStrwDirectory.asp
See Information on the ....
Iowa Noxious Weed Seed Free Forage & Mulch Program
being 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 29 September, 2009 the following was listed.
State Listings
Iowa -
Missouri -
Illinois 2
Wisconsin -
Minnesota 8
South Dakota 1
Nebraska -
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://agebb.missouri.edu/haylst/index.htm or call
1-800-877-4HAY (4429)
Nebraska Alfalfa Marketing Assn www site. Browse through the
"Inventory" tab. http://www.nebraska-alfalfa.com/
Nebraska Dept. of Agric Hay and Forage 'Hotline' www site
http://www.agr.state.ne.us/hayhot/hayhotline.htm
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://www.hayexchange.com/index.php
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 29 September,, 2009 listings were:
State Listings
Iowa 60
Missouri 106
Illinois 55
Wisconsin 29
Minnesota 41
South Dakota 27
Nebraska 46
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 29 September, 2009 there were 0
listings for hay within 300 miles of Ames Iowa.
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.
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.
---------------------------
If you need to look to a farther distance, Check the Manitoba Canada
www Hay & Forage Council site for Hay sellers:
http://www.mbforagecouncil.mb.ca/foragehaymarketing/provincialhaymarketersandprocessors/default.aspx
Provided by:
Stephen K. Barnhart
Professor of Agronomy - Forages Extension
2104 Agronomy Hall Iowa State University
Ames, IA 50011-1010
Phone (Office) (515) 294-1923
FAX (Office) (515) 294-9985
email address sbarnhar@iastate.edu
10/30/2009