Alfalfa up slightly in September

September offered a mixed bag of hay price movement, according to USDA’s most recent Agricultural Prices report. The average alfalfa hay price climbed another rung to $208 per ton, which was the highest price posted since November 2023.

September marked the seventh consecutive month of positive price movement for alfalfa hay. The September price level was $2 per ton higher the previous month and $36 more than a year ago.

The price paid for Supreme and Premium alfalfa hay during September dropped by $2 per ton to finish at $241.

Grass hay posted a $9 decline in its per-ton price after rising by that same amount the previous month. The average September grass hay price finished at $143. This value was $6 above a year ago.

Eight states posted a double-digit alfalfa price improvement from August to September. That group was led by Iowa, which was up by $11 per ton. Colorado, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, Ohio, Oregon, and Wyoming were each up by $10 per ton.

Kentucky, New Mexico, Pennsylvania, and New York posted double-digit declines in average monthly alfalfa price; they were all down by $10 per ton.

The highest average September alfalfa hay price was reported in New Mexico at $275 per ton. Pennsylvania followed at $270 while Kentucky and New York posted a $250 per ton average price.

North Dakota had the lowest average alfalfa price at $96 per ton. It was followed by South Dakota at $102 and Nebraska at $106 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 September, the average price of Supreme and Premium alfalfa hay fell by $2 per ton, posting at $241. That value was $20 per ton higher than a year ago.

Other hay

The September average price of other hay was reported at $143 per ton, which was down $9 from the previous month and $6 above September 2025.

The highest September price for hay other than alfalfa was reported in Washington at $220 per ton. New Mexico followed at $215 per ton, while Kentucky and Oregon posted a final average price of $210.

North Dakota had the lowest reported other hay average price at $68 per ton. It was followed by Minnesota at $81 per ton.

USDA Hay Markets – November 3, 2026

Dakota Hay Auction - Corsica, SD (Monday)

Iowa Direct Hay Report

Tennessee Direct Hay Report

Regional Hay Prices

State-By-State Hay Markets

New Mexico—In Oct. 23 report, compared to the last report, the hay market appeared firm.

Colorado—In Oct. 23 report, compared to the last report, Trade activity Moderate. Demand Good to Very Good all markets of new crop hay. Premium small squares of alfalfa, alfalfa/grass mix, mixed grass, and prairie/meadow grass sold 25-50 cents/bale higher. Premium alfalfa 3×3’s sold $20/bale higher this period. With corn silage harvest wrapping up, farmers have moved on to forage sorghum for silage and bales. The next available report will be Nov. 5.

Missouri—In the Oct. 15 report, as of this time producers are still easily able to find hay for sale, but fuel prices add a lot to getting it to the farm. The supply of hay is moderate to heavy, especially fair to good quality grass types of hay. Hay demand and movement have been moderate. Hay prices are steady to firm. 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 Oct. 22 report, compared to the last report, trade activity was light due to farmers harvesting corn and soybeans. Demand good on all forages. Alfalfa ground and delivered prices unchanged. Dehydrated and sun-cured pellets of alfalfa prices remained unchanged. There were no comparable trades on all types of hay this period.

Oklahoma—In the Oct. 16 report, compared to the last report, Demand for hay remains high. We continue to see all types of hay being moved in preparation for fall and winter. Hay movement has slowed down due to the rain. The next report release will be on Oct. 30.

Texas—In the Oct. 16 report, compared to the last report, hay prices and demand remain good. The next available hay report will be Oct. 30.

South Dakota— In the Oct. 16 report, compared to last report, good to very good demand for all classes of hay. Best demand is coming from western South Dakota where the drought has been severe and little hay was made this year. Grass hay supplies are limited as the weather wasn’t conducive to growing grass as it was dry during April and May. Drought has gripped the eastern side of the state as well, some areas are very short and made substantially less hay than normal, while in others spots the alfalfa produced pretty well.

Wyoming— In Oct. 15 report, Compared to the last report all forages sold steady. Demand was moderate to good. Some previously spoken loads of hay have been turned back by out of state buyers due to the increase of diesel fuel and freight charges they can not afford to ship the hay halfway across the USA anymore. These buyers like to purchase WY high elevation hay as its put up right with no bleaching and the horse owners on the other end that purchase the hay love the color and quality of the product.  These customers have been buying hay from western WY for 10 or more years. On a positive note, there has been some rain showers across the state with some snow reported in certain areas. Everyone is very thankful for any moisture that has come their way!

Montana— In Oct. 16 report, Compared to last report(10-02-26): Hay sold generally steady. Demand for hay is mostly moderate. Supplies are mostly moderate. Demand for hay continues to lighten slightly. Fall rains have been very beneficial to pasture and range conditions. Couple that with warmer weather and grass has greened in many locations. Many producers plan on leaving cows turned out for as long as possible as they look to ways to ease winter feeding bills. Locations are putting up 3rd and 4th cuttings as warm weather and late season rains have allowed for additional cuttings. Many report strong yields on 3rd cutting especially in western and central Montana. Hay in the northern half of the state remains a discount to southern hay as sellers compete with hay coming out of Canada and across highway 2 from North Dakota. Most of this hay continues to be delivered for 180.00-230.00 depending on freight and quality. Demand for hay to ship into Wyoming has eased slightly as fall rains fell across much of that state as well over the last couple weeks. Hay is very locally priced as freight costs are high to move from stack to ranch.