Hay Market Demand and Price Report for the Upper Midwest

Demand and Sales Comments

Dry areas of Midwest have higher prices with dairy quality hay supporting the market at auctions. Wisconsin has a good supply of forage going into the winter feeding season. If you have questions on this report contact richard.halopka@wisc.edu. If you need forage or have forage to sell or straw, connect to the Farmer-to-Farmer website. You may contact your local county agriculture educator if you need help placing an ad. There is no charge for the service.

Straw prices are for oat, barley, or wheat straw. Straw prices are steady. Small square bales averaged $4.15 a bale (range of $2.75 to $7.00). Large square bale straw averaged $55.00 per bale (a range of $35.00 to $85.00). Large round bale straw averaged $52.00 per bale (range of $35.00 – $68.00).

In Nebraska, prices remain steady. Demand for alfalfa backed off, as cattlemen are blending corn stalks and distillers instead of alfalfa hay,   

In South Dakota, hay supply is tight. Prices remain steady to firm with very good demand for all classes of hay. High quality hay is tough to find.

In Missouri, a copy of the last report, supply is light to moderate, demand is moderate, and prices are steady to firm.

In Kansas, demand is strong. Prices are steady with undertones of strength. A lot of corn stalks being baled to stretch hay supplies on the farm.

In Wisconsin, prices for dairy quality hay are steady. Overall Wisconsin has a good supply of forage. Dairy hay prices are good, but lower quality may be discounted.