Photo courtesy of USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service.
From Stephen K. Barnhart, Professor of Agronomy - Forage Extension, 2104 Agronomy Hall, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011
These are hay prices paid at auction in the recent past weeks.
Most price information is obtained from USDA Hay Market News.
Personal contacts of local Iowa hay auctions secured price
information for these market outlets.
The USDA Market News Group uses these hay classification designations in their market price reports. Of all hay sold, 1% or less would be designated in the supreme class. Placement in various classifications is often based on visual assessment. 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 70-185 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
This report for mid- to late-April 2008
Fort Atkinson (NE IA) Wednesdays, 1:00PM (Kind and Quality of lots not stated) 1st Cut: SmSq $75-185/T; LgSq $85-180/T; LgRd $40-170/T 2nd Cut: SmSq $105-170/T; LgSq $115-255/T; LgRd $60-150/T 3rd Cut: SmSq $125-225/T; LgSq $120-255/T; LgRd $75-165/T 4th Cut SmSq $130-220/T; LgSq $135/T; LgRd $90/T 5th Cut ( SmSq $210/T Mar) Oat Hay LgRd $65- 90/T CRP (LgSq $120/T Mar)
Straw: SmSq $120-150/T; LgSq $75-105/T; LgRd $50-100/T Cornstalks (SmSq $85/T; LgSq $75-80/T Mar); LgRd $25-60/T
Dyersville (NE IA ) Thursdays 10:30 AM
(Type of hay not stated)
Supreme SmSq $215/T; (LgSq $195/T Mar)
Premium: (SmSq $4.00/bale Mar); LgSq $162.50-245/T; (LgRd $125-137.50/T Mar)
Good: (SmSq $2.00-3.00/bale; $95/T Mar) ; LgSq $127.50-210/T; LgRd $127.50-180/T
Fair: SmSq $2.50/bale; LgSq $110-165/T; LgRd $100-142.50/T
Utility: (LgSq $70-110/T Mar); LgRd $70-125/T Mixed Leg/Gr:
Good to Excellent: LgSq $130-225/T
Good: SmSq $3.40-4.25/bale; LgRd $120-155/T
Grass: Good SmSq $2.80-2.85/b; LgSq $110-145/T; LgRd $100-130/T Fair (LgRd $82.50-95/T Mar)
CRP: LgSq $130-140/T; LgRd Good $117.50-120/, (Fair/Poor $47.50/T Mar) Oat Hay LgRd $90-92.50/T Prairie LgRd $102.50-142.50/T
Straw: (SmSq $2.40/b Mar); LgSq $30-42//bale; (LgRd $25-28/b Mar)
Cornstalks: LgSq $40/bale; LgRd $31-42/bale
Riceville (NE IA) 1st & 3rd Fri Sales
Alfalfa: (SmSq $3.50-4.25/bale; LgSq $195-245/T Mar); LgRd $175-225/T Mixed Alf/Gr: SmSq $3.50-4.00/b; (LgRd $135-150/T Mar)
Straw: LgSq $85-100/T
Cornstalks: LgRd $22-25bale
Forest City (NC IA) (Wed eve. sales)
Alfalfa: SmSq $3.50-5.00/b; LgSq $55-70/b Mixed Legume/Gr: SmSq $3.50-5.00/b; (LgSq $35-70/b Mar); LgRd $45-70/T
Grass: SmSq $2.50-4.00/bale
Straw: SmSq $2.50-4.00/bale
Cornstalks: SmSq $2.25/bale
Spencer Livestock Sales (NW IA) (2nd & 4th Tuesdays)
Alfalfa: SmSq $4.00-6.00/bale; LgSq $125-160/T; LgRd $130-150/T
Mixed: (SmSq $4.00-6.00/bale Mar); LgRd $130-150/T
Grass: (SmSq $4.00-6.00/bale Mar); LgRd $125-140/T
Straw: SmSq $2.90-3.80/bale
Cornstalks: LgRd $22.50-35/bale
Rock Valley (NW IA) (Monday & Thursdays 1:00PM) Alfalfa
Supreme: SmSq $155-157.50/T; LgSq $150/T
Premium: (SmSq $125-140/T Mar); LgSq $112.50-135/T; LgRd $110-140/T
Good: (LgSq $95-110/T Mar); LgRd $82.50-110/T
Fair: LgRd $70-85/T
Mixed Hay
Premium: SmSq $127.50/T; LgSq $125/T; LgRd $115/T
Good: (LgSq $100-105/T Mar); LgRd $105-110/T
Fair: LgSq $65/T; (LgRd $77.50-85/T Mar) Grass Hay
Premium: SmSq $120-180/T; LgSq $120-125/T; LgRd $110-142.50/T
Good: SmSq $117.50/T; LgSq $95/T; LgRd $80-107.50/T
Fair: (LgSq $72.50/T Mar); LgRd $60-70/T
Straw: (SmSq $2.00-3.00/b Mar); LgSq $13-23/b, ($57.50-62.50/T Mar); LgRd $52.50-77.50/T Cornstalks : LgSq $35/T; LgRd $25/b, $50/T
Maurice (NW IA) (Thurs 12:30P)
Alfalfa:
Supreme: SmSq $150/T; LgSq $145/T
Premium: LgSq $132.50-145/T; LgRd $117.50-142.50/T
Good: (SmSq $95/T; LgSq $105-115/T Mar); LgRd $90-112.50/T
Fair: (LgRd $80-85/T Mar)
Mixed Legume/Grass:
Premium: LgSq $120/T; (LgRd $122.50/T Mar)
Good: (LgRd $105/T Mar)
Grass:
Premium: SmSq $130-250/T; (LgSq $119/T Mar); LgRd $117.50-130/T
Good: SmSq $90-95/T; LgRd $95-107.50/T
Straw: (SmSq $2.30-2.60/b Mar); LgSq $80/T; LgRd $70/T
Cornstalks: LgSq $45/T; (LgRd $48/T Mar)
Denison (WC IA) (Sat 11:00A)
Alfalfa/Mixed Leg/Gr: SmSq $4.00-7.75/b; LgSq $80/b; (LgRd $100/b Mar)
Grass: SmSq $5.25/bale
Straw; (SmSq $2.70-3.40/b Mar)
Cornstalks: (SmSq $1.60/b Mar); LgRd $30/bale
Stuart (WC IA) Noon Saturdays
Alfalfa: (SmSq $3.60-4.40/bale Mar)
Mixed Leg/Gr: (SmSq $3.20-4.10/bale Mar); LgRd $67-87/bale Cornstalks" LgRd $34-37/bale
Perry (Central Iowa) (Sat Noon)
Alfalfa & Mixed Leg/Gr: SmSq $5.00-7.00/bale; (LgSq $70/T Mar); LgRd $70-90/T
Grass: SmSq $3.50-7.00/bale; LgRd $72-75/bale
Straw: SmSq $3.00/bale
Cornstalks: SmSq $2.00bale; LgRd $22-24/bale
Private Broker Sales -- Ave. of prices from South Central Iowa (Indianola & Adair); and North Central Iowa, (Hampton) Alfalfa & Mixed Grass/Legume
Supreme: SmSq $140-165/T; LgSq $140-165/T
Premium/Good: SmSq $125-150/T; LgSq $125-150/T; LgRd $100-125/T
Grass: Premium SmSq $90-100/T; LgSq $ 90-100/T
Walcott (EC IA) 2nd Sat Dec-Mar; Noon
Sales resume in the Fall
Keosauqua (SE IA) Sat 11:30A
Alfalfa: SmSq $3.50-7.25/bale;
Grass : SmSq $2.85-4.00/ale
Straw: SmSq $2.10-3.00/bale
Kalona (SE IA) 1st Thurs, Yr-round 11:30AM (& 3rd Thurs Oct-winter) Alfalfa : (LgSq $220/T Mar) Mixed Leg/Gr: SmSq $2.70-4.10/b; (LgSq $82.50-127.50/T; $45/bale Mar);
LgRd $45-67.50/T
Grass: LgSq $30/bale
Straw (SmSq $3.10/-3.50bale; LgRd $42.50/b Mar)
Cornstalks: (LgRd $45-47.50/bale Mar)
Creston (SW IA) 10:30AM Friday
Alfalfa LgRd $77.50-90/bale
Mixed Leg/GR: SmSq $4.50-5.75/bale; (LgRd $90-102.50/T Mar)
Grass: (SmSq $3.30-5.80/bale; LgRd $33.50-58/b/bale Mar)
Straw: SmSq $3.20/bale; (LgRd $25-35/bale Mar)
Cornstalks: LgRd $27-28/bale
Shenandoah (SW IA) Monday Sale
Alfalfa & Alf/Grass Mixed: (SmSq $5.00-5.50/bale Mar)
Grass: SmSq $4.80/bale
Straw: (SmSq $3.50/b Mar)
"Missouri Market" (Mid / Late- April 2008 USDA Market Price Report) Alfalfa Supreme (RFV >185): SmSq $160-190/T
Prem (RFV 170-180): $140-175/T
Good/Fair: (RFV 130-170) SmSq $90-160/T; LgSq $90-160/T; LgRd $80-140/T Mixed Leg/Gr: Good SmSq $3.00-6.50/bale LgRd $40-75/bale Grass :
Good/Prem LgSq $80-130/T
Good SmSq $60-120/T
Timothy SmSq $3.00-4.50/bale
Mixed grass: Fair LgRd $30-50/bale
Prairie hay: SmSq $80-125/T; LgRd $40-75/T Bluestem Good/Fair LgRd $40/bale Bermudagrass Good LgRd $50-65/bale, $70-80/T Wheat Hay: $50-70/T
Straw: SmSq $2.00-3.50/bale
"Northern & Central Illinois (April 2008 USDA Market Report)
Alfalfa
Premium: SmSq $160-210/T: LgSq $160-185/T: LgRd $130-150/T
Good: SmSq $140-170/T; LgSq $140-165/T: LgRd $100-130/T
Fair: SmSq $120-140/T; LgSq $120-150/T; LgRd $80-100//T
Utility: SmSq $80-105/T; LgSq $100-120/T; LgRd $70-80/T
Mixed Leg/Grass
Premium: SmSq $160-190/T; LgSq $160-180/T
Good: SmSq $140-160/T; LgSq $130-160/T; LgRd $100-120/T
Fair: SmSq $120-140T; LgSq $120-140/T; LgRd $80-120/T
Utility: SmSq $80-100/T; LgSq $80-100/T; LgRd $60-80/T
Grass:
Premium: SmSq $140-180/T; LgSq $140-160/T; LgRd $100-130/T
Good : SmSq $120-140/T; LgSq $120-150/T; LgRd $80-100/T
Fair: SmSq $100-120/T; LgSq $100-120/T; LgRd $60-100/T
Utility; SmSq $80-100/T; LgSq $80-110/T: LgRd $50-75/T
Straw: SmSq $2.00-3.00/b, $90-120/T; LgSq $90-120/T; LgRd $50-60/bale
Wisconsin 'Market'
Waldo WI & Fon du Lac Co WI
Sales resume in the fall
"Minnesota Market"-SW MN (Mid- to late April 2008 USDA Market Report) Alfalfa
Supreme: SmSq $147.50-175/T; LgSq $157.50-160/T; LgRd $150-160/T
Premium: SmSq $132.50/T; LgSq $130-160/T; LgRd $112.50-147.50/T
Good: SmSq $97.50-112.50/T; LgSq $102.50/T; LgRd $90-107.50T
Mixed Leg/Gr
Premium: SmSq $145/T; (LgSq $140/T Mar); LgRd $115-152.50/T
Good: LgSq $97.50-102.50/T Mar); LgRd $90-110/T
Fair: (LgSq $85/T; LgRd $85/T Mar)
Grass
Premium: SmSq $135/-165/T; LgRd $115-152.50/T
Good: (SmSq $92.50-95/T Mar); LgSq $100-102.50/T; LgRd $90-117.50/T
Fair: (LgSq $85/T Mar); LgRd $70-95/T
Utility: (LgRd $60-72.50/T Mar)
Straw: SmSq $2.50-3.05/bale; (LgSq $20/bale Mar); LgRd $15-28/bale
Cornstalks: LgRd $16-27/bale
Houston County MN Tested Hay Auction 14 March 2008 (2nd Fri, Dec-March)
Sales resume in the fall
"South Dakota Market" (Mid- to Late-April 2008 USDA Market Report) Alfalfa RFV >185 LgSq $160-205/T RFV >170-185 LgSq $125-165/T; LgRd $120-140/T RFV 150-160 LgSq $95-110/T LgRd $90-100/T Grinding Hay; LgSq $90-100/T; LgRd $90-105/T Mixed Leg/Gr: Good (LgRd $100/T Mar)
Grass: Prem (LgSq $100-110/T Mar)
Good LgSq $100/T; LgRd $90-100/T
Straw: LgRd $50-60/T
Alcester, SD (SE SD) (Mid- to late April 2008 USDA Report)
Alfalfa:
Supreme: SmSq $180/T, ($4.60/bale Mar))
Premium (SmSq $110/T Mar); LgSq $120/T; LgRd $110-145/T
Good: SmSq $100/T; LgRd $95-107.50/T
Mixed Leg/Gr: Premium SmSq $135/T; Fair LgRd $75/T
Grass: Premium SmSq $125-140/T; LgRd $115-127.50/T
Good (SmSq $110/T; LgSq $107.50/T Mar)'; LgRd $102.50/T
Fair: (LgRd $75-87.50/T Mar)
Straw: SmSq $2.10/b; (LgRd $55-60/T Mar
"Nebraska Market" (Mid- to late April 2008 USDA Report) Alfalfa
Premium: (170-185 RFV) SmSq $125-145/T
'Grinding Hay - ground & delivered' $115-120/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
<http://www.fsa.usda.gov/FSA/hayNet?area=online&subject=landing&topic=han&setflag=welcome> I checked this site on 30 April 2008 and found the following # of listings:
State Listings
Iowa 7
Missouri 25
Illinois 7
Wisconsin 8
Minnesota 3
South Dakota 6
Nebraska 13
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/hay&straw.asp
<http://www.agriculture.state.ia.us/hay%26straw.asp>
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. RFD or CP, asking price per ton.
http://www.haylist.umn.edu/index.asp
<http://www.haylist.umn.edu/index.asp>
On 30 April 2008 the following was listed.
State Listings
Iowa -
Missouri -
Illinois -
Wisconsin 4
Minnesota 2
South Dakota -
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@
<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/
<http://farmertofarmer.uwex.edu/> Missouri Hay Market www site.
http://agebb.missouri.edu/haylst/index.htm
<http://agebb.missouri.edu/haylst/index.htm> Nebraska Alfalfa Marketing Assn www site. Browse through the "Inventory" tab. http://www.nebraska-alfalfa.com/ <http://www.nebraska-alfalfa.com/> Nebraska Dept. of Agric Hay and Forage 'Hotline' www site http://www.agr.state.ne.us/hayhot/hayhotline.htm
<http://www.agr.state.ne.us/hayhot/hayhotline.htm> Commercial www sites
INTERNET HAY EXCHANGE
http <http://www.hayexchange.com/hay.htm> :// www.hayexchange.com/hay.htm <http://www.hayexchange.com/hay.htm>
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 30 April 2008 listings were:
State Listings
Iowa 42
Missouri 45
Illinois 51
Wisconsin 54
Minnesota 27
South Dakota 23
Nebraska 34
Bid-4-Hay http://www.bid4hay.com/index.php?a=28&b=142&redirect_check=4
<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 March 28, 2008 there was 1 listing
for hay within 300 miles of Ames Iowa.
The 'Hay Barn" http://www.haybarn.com/reports/showads.asp?category=Hay <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 <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
<http://www.mbforagecouncil.mb.ca/foragehaymarketing/provincialhaymarketersandprocessors/default.aspx> Provided by:
Stephen K. Barnhart
Professor of Agronomy - Forages Extension
2104 Agronomy Hall, 100 Osborn Dr.
Iowa State University
Ames, IA 50011-1010
Phone (Office) (515) 294-7835
FAX (Office) (515) 294-9985
email address sbarnhar@iastate.edu