Ho-hum hay prices

For a long time, monitoring hay prices has been a lot like watching a downed tree rot — not much action. In December, the average dry alfalfa hay price was $161 per ton, according to the USDA’s Agricultural Prices report. That value was $2 higher than December and $3 below a year ago.

The average price for grass hay in December fell by $6 per ton for the second month in a row, settling at $128 per ton. That’s a new low watermark for the year and the lowest monthly average price recorded since June 2020.

The price paid for Supreme and Premium alfalfa hay during December dropped from $216 to $211 per ton, which was $19 per ton lower than the previous year.

Eight states had a double-digit month-over-month alfalfa price gain during December. Wisconsin was up by $11 per ton. Arizona, Idaho, Michigan, Montana, Nevada, Pennsylvania, and Utah were all up by $10 per ton.

Three states had a double-digit hay price decline. Oklahoma was down $12 per ton while Colorado and California had a $10 month-over-month price reduction.

The highest average December alfalfa hay price was reported in Pennsylvania at $270 per ton. It was followed by New Mexico and New York at $255 while Kentucky posted a $235 per ton average price.

North Dakota had the lowest average alfalfa price at $93 per ton. It was followed by South Dakota at $99 and Nebraska at $101 per ton.

Keep in mind that USDA average prices account for all qualities and bale types of hay sold. Also, the final U.S. estimate is a volume-weighted average rather than a simple average of state values. States with the most volume sales will impact the final U.S. dollar value more than those states with fewer sales.

Supreme and Premium

The USDA also tracks the prices of Supreme and Premium quality alfalfa in the major dairy states and determines an average price from the five top milk-producing states (California, Idaho, New York, Texas, and Wisconsin). This data is used to determine feed prices in the Dairy Margin Coverage (DMC) program.

For December, the average price of Supreme and Premium alfalfa hay fell by $5 per ton, which followed a $7 price drop in November. The December average alfalfa price posted at $211, which was $19 per ton below the average price from a year ago.

Other hay

The December average price of other hay continued its downward spiral, posting at $128 per ton, which was down $6 from the previous month. This was $20 per ton lower than the previous year.

The highest December price for hay other than alfalfa was reported in Pennsylvania, California, Oregon, and Washington at $200 per ton. New Mexico followed at $195, while Kentucky posted a $190 per ton price.

North Dakota had the lowest reported other hay average price at $68 per ton. It was followed by Oklahoma at $75 per ton.

USDA Hay Markets – February 3, 2026

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

Regional Hay Prices

State-By-State Hay Markets

Colorado—In Jan. 16 report, compared to the last report, trade activity light on moderate demand. Prices mostly steady across all hay types.  The next available report will be Jan. 29.

Missouri—In the Jan. 22 report, All attention this week has turned to the weather and possibility of major winter storm over the weekend. Producers are doing what they can to prepare even if forecast end up being wrong about snow, extreme cold is almost certain. Hay supplies remain heavy and out weight demand at the current time. Hay prices are mostly steady. Much of the hay surplus is average to lower quality hay with much of it requiring some additional supplement in order to provide as adequate feed ration. Legit high quality hay as typical for mid-winter has held value much better and is a bit harder but not impossible to find. The Missouri Department of Agriculture has a hay directory at https://apps.mda.mo.gov/haydirectory or visit the University of Missouri Extension feed stuff finder at https://feedstufffinder.org.

 Nebraska—In the Jan. 15 report, compared to the last report all reported hay sales sold steady. Demand is mostly light with instances of moderate demand in some areas of the state. Most hay producers have at least two years’ worth of hay sitting at the field edge. Many producers think the dryness will spark a price increase like it did last spring. Time will tell on that matter. Some hay contacts have decided to retire or switch from alfalfa production back over to row crop farming. Adding more bushels to the pile but one can deliver a load of corn or soybeans during the week and get paid. Where having bales of hay a buyer has to demand to purchase it in order to be paid.

 Oklahoma—In the Jan. 16 report, compared to the last report, After the new year, movement has picked up; it’s slow to steady. It is not a turning point for hay growers just yet. The next report release will be on Jan. 30.

Texas—In the Jan. 23 report, compared to the last report, hay prices were steady with good demand. The next available hay report will be Feb. 16.

 South Dakota— In the Jan. 16 report, compared to last report, Light to moderate demand for all types of hay. Good demand for corn stalks and straw. The winter has been mild, with a lack of snow cover across the majority of the state, but pen conditions have been wet/muddy causing cattle feeders to need to bed with corn stalks which has helped demand for stalks. Plentiful hay supplies and lack of snow is really keeping a damper on the hay market. High testing dairy hay is harder to find, best outlet for that type of hay is out of state however.

Wyoming— In Jan. 22 report, compared to the last report small square bales sold steady to 5.00 per ton higher. Large square bales steady. Demand picked up in the last two weeks as dry weather continues across the state. Prospective buyers are starting to pick out a few loads of hay to feed now or later in the year. Most of the state is very dry with some high elevation receiving snow. Per NRCS weekly snow report for Jan 19,2026: Currently the state’s SNOTELs are reading 93% of median with a basin high of 125% and a basin low of 4%. Last year the state was at 88%, and at 83% in 2024. So overall median is a little better than the last two years for the same week.

Montana— In Jan. 23 report, compared to  last report, Hay sold mostly steady to 10.00 higher. Hay supplies continue to tighten across the state. Hay supplies in Northern and western Montana are extremely tight and many producers are trucking hay in from Central and southern Montana. Delivered hay prices are mostly north of 200.00/ton with many ranging from 210.00-235.00 per ton. Most producers in Western and Northern Montana report they are sold out of hay for the season. Some Central Montana hay producers are starting to report that they are sold out of hay as well. Hay across the state has seen increased demand due to tighter supplies. Demand for round bales is very good as many ranchers report that they are hard to find. Hay in rounds continues to bring a 10.00-20.00 premium to hay in squares. However, some ranchers are starting to buy hay in squares as round supplies are very tight. Extreme cold has returned to the state over the last few days which has spurred some buying. Light snowfall is expected through the weekend. According to the drought monitor 18.19 of the state is in Moderate drought or worse, down 1.6% from 2 weeks ago. 8.08 of the state is in an Severe drought or worse, unchanged from 2 weeks ago. 1.46% of the state is in Extreme drought or worse, unchanged from 2 weeks ago. 0% of the state is in Expectational drought, unchanged from 2 weeks ago. Notably, 49.78% of the state is abnormally dry, down 1.61% from 2 weeks ago.

Arizona Direct Hay Report

Utah Direct Hay Report