Forage Fodder

Tuesday, August 4, 2026

Average June alfalfa price improves again

The average price for alfalfa hay rose for the fourth consecutive month during June, according to the USDA’s Agricultural Prices report. Posting at $198 per ton, the monthly alfalfa price hit its highest level since May 2024. The June price level was $3 per ton above the previous month and $21 more than a year ago.

In an unexplainable contrast, the price paid for Supreme and Premium alfalfa hay during June dipped by $8 per ton to $239 after gaining $13 the previous month.

The average June grass hay price fell by a nominal $1 per ton from the previous month, settling at $141. This value matched the price from a year ago.

Eight states posted a double-digit alfalfa price improvement from May to June. That group was led by Montana, which was up by $25 per ton. Colorado, Idaho, and Utah were $20 higher, while Oklahoma was up by $12. New Mexico, Pennsylvania, and Wyoming were each up by $10 per ton.

There were no states that posted a decline in average monthly price of any amount.

The highest average June alfalfa hay price was reported in Pennsylvania at $290 per ton. New Mexico followed at $275, while New York posted a $270 per ton average price.

North Dakota had the lowest average alfalfa price at $95 per ton. It was followed by South Dakota at $99 and Nebraska at $102 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. Those 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.

During June, the average price of Supreme and Premium alfalfa hay dropped by $8 per ton, posting at $239. That value was $5 per ton lower than a year ago.

Other hay

The June average price of other hay was reported at $141 per ton, which was down $1 from the previous month and matched June 2025.

The highest June price for hay other than alfalfa was reported in Pennsylvania at $225 per ton. New Mexico followed at $220, while Washington posted a $215 per ton price. New York and Kentucky both averaged $205 per ton for June grass hay.

North Dakota had the lowest reported other hay average price at $68 per ton. It was followed by Nebraska at $86 per ton.