USDA Hay Markets – July 1, 2025

Kansas Direct Hay Report

More: Kansas Direct Hay Report

Iowa Direct Hay Report

Dakota Hay Auction - Corsica, SD (Monday)

Hay Market Report for the Upper Midwest

Regional Hay Prices

State-By-State Hay Summary

Colorado—In the June 19 report, compared to last report, trade activity and demand light. No market trend available due to a lack of comparable trades. Thunderstorms across the state have delayed first cutting in many areas and made it difficult to put up first cutting hay. Next report will be released July 3.

Missouri—In the June 12 report, compared to last report, starting to see some new crop hay come to market. Demand is light as pastures in the state are some of the best in the nation with 88% rated good to excellent. Hay prices are steady to weak. The supply of hay is moderate, and demand is light to moderate. Producers are getting some hay baled as small windows of weather allow. Thus far there has not been any extended periods of days in which farmers can just go without having to look at weather and calculate if the risk of getting hay wet is worth it or not. Next report will be released June 26.

Nebraska—In the June 18 report, compared to last report, alfalfa sold steady on a thin test. Old crop alfalfa going to grinding sold $10 lower. Old crop grass hay and ground and delivered products steady. Dehydrated and sun-cured pellets steady. Early reports on first cutting alfalfa off from a typical year. Some contacts thinking around 30% less. Dryness, weevil, cool weather along with hail has really influenced the tonnage in several fields. If the producer applied water and sprayed for weevil tonnage nearly spot on for a normal year’s production. Some spotty rain showers in various areas of the state.

Oklahoma—In the June 20 report, compared to last report, prices for new hay are still unknown, and demand is at a standstill to moderate. Rain continuously covers Oklahoma, preventing hay producers from moving hay and, at times, stopping hay from being harvested. The continued preparation for the new crop of grass hay is underway as well. . Next report will be released July 11.

Texas—In the June 13 report, compared to last report, hay prices are mostly steady across all regions with light demand. The next available hay report will be June 27.

South Dakota—In the June 20 report, compared to last report, light to moderate demand for hay. Scattered rains and high humidity the past week have made it challenging for hay producers to get hay put up. Heavy dews in the mornings and then cloudy skies preventing hay from drying down quickly. Area hay auctions are still seeing a large supply of old crop hay offered. Very hot temps and windy conditions at the end of the week and through the weekend, with daily showers in the forecast until late next week.

New Mexico—In the June 20 report, compared to last report, hay market was mostly steady to firm with third cuttings are underway.

Wyoming—In the June 12 report, compared to the last report, hay sales sold steady. Demand was mostly light. Some producers in the eastern side of the state lost all their first cutting of alfalfa to large hail and wind. With others having some damage from storms. Other reports of the dreaded weevil doing quite a lot of damage along with irrigation districts curtailing water amounts early in the growing season will cost producers quite a few tons of product. Some reports in the east that tonnage is about 30 percent less than a normal year. Producers in the central and west are just getting started with first cutting and so far, tonnage will be close to a normal year. Little carry over from previous year, but nothing like the tonnage that hay producers dealt with on the 2024 production year.

Montana—In the June 20 report, compared to last report, hay sold mostly $5 to $10 higher on good to very good demand. The strongest demand was seen from northern Montana, as buyers were very active in purchasing hay this week. Most of the hay sold was purchased delivered for $195 to $210. Hay was also purchased to ship south into Wyoming as drought conditions have buyers searching for hay. A few new crop contracts continue to be seen and demand remains very good. Most ranchers have cattle turned out and hay usage is down significantly, however buying for winter has started as ranchers show concern over the quantity of hay available. Many ranchers have more cows and heifers retained this year and will have more mouths to feed compared to last winter. Producers in southern and eastern Montana are in the middle of first cutting, while central Montana is still another week away from being able to cut first. The chopped hay in the report below was weighed wet, directly behind the chopper. Market activity was mostly moderate this week.