Forage Fodder

Monday, April 7, 2025

Southwest Missouri Hay Auction - Golden City, MO

Dakota Hay Auction - Corsica, SD (Seasonal - Friday)

Colorado—In the March 27 report, trade activity and demand light. Prices mostly unchanged on all hay types. Dairies in northeast Colorado continue setting corn silage offers to local farmers at 8.5 times the December corn board with the floor price ranging $35 to $40/ton at 30% to 35% dry matter. Alfalfa standing offers in northeast Colorado this week ranged from $100 standing to $110 standing on 90% dry matter.

Missouri—In the March 27 report, compared to last report, hay prices continue to hold mostly steady even as feeding and demand is light. The supply of hay is moderate. Feeding days are coming to an end very quickly and some hay producers are trying to clean out inventory especially if they don’t have barns for storage before it is time to make this year’s crop.

Nebraska—In the March 27 report, compared to last report, bales of alfalfa and grass hay sold steady. Ground and delivered hay and alfalfa pellets steady. Overall, most of the state is relatively dry and some buyers are starting to fill empty stackyards with hay. A few feedlots are contracting hay or buying several loads of hay to have on hand. Still quite a lot of old crop forages around the state that will be carried over. Which isn’t all bad as the state is dry and more than likely will be fed sometime this year.

Oklahoma—In the March 28 report, compared to the last report, demand and prices for hay remain steady. Drought continues to set in Oklahoma, which has caused the constant movement of hay to try and prep for a dry spring and summer. Hay in Oklahoma remains highly available, there are still a lot of holdovers and barns full of hay. Next report will be released April 11.

Texas—In the March 21 report, compared to last report, hay prices are mostly steady across all regions. Portions of the west and south prices have softened on lower quality hay as producers are trying to make room in there barns for new crop in a couple months. However, in droughted out areas in the south, west, north, and Panhandle prices have firmed up as there is a tightening supply on higher quality hays. Next report will be released April 4.

South Dakota—In the March 28 report, compared to last report, movement of hay has been steady with very little moisture.

New Mexico—As of the Nov. 22, 2024 report, the hay season was complete. No more reports will be issued until May 2025.

Wyoming—In the March 27 report, compared to the last report, hay sales sold steady. Buyer inquiry picked up some this week as hay producers are advertising available hay on social media and selling hay to producers in the southern plains and in the eastern U.S. Quite a few tons of hay left to sell in various areas of the state.

Montana—In the March 28 report, hay sold fully steady. Hay sales continue to see steady movement. Demand did improve for grass hay and mixed hay this week as ranchers search for grass to get cows and calves to turnout time. Supplies of fair and utility hay remain large, especially in central Montana. Demand for higher quality hay has improved some as cows get picky with the arrival of spring. Ranchers continue to be reluctant to buy hay even at reduced prices due to large personal supplies on hand. With lighter cow numbers, a mild start to winter, and heavy supplies of rained on feeder hay available, many ranchers have a large supply of personal hay on hand. Market activity was mostly slow this week.