Iowa Direct Hay Report

Dakota Hay Auction - Corsica, SD (Monday)

April alfalfa hay price takes a leap

The average price for alfalfa hay during April rose an impressive $19 per ton from March and settled at $185, according to the USDA’s Agricultural Prices report. It has taken a while, but the average price finally has broken out of the $160 to $170 doldrums. The April 2026 price was $5 above a year ago. Historically, monthly average hay prices peak during April or May.

The April grass hay price wasn’t quite as fortunate; it dropped by $5 per ton from the previous month. The average price for grass hay in April posted at $133 per ton, which was $7 under the price from a year ago.

The price paid for Supreme and Premium alfalfa hay during April improved by $4 per ton to $234. During late spring, high-quality hay is more difficult to find.

Three states posted double-digit price improvements from April to April. Utah and Wyoming posted $15 jumps, while Montana was up by $10.

There were no states that had a double-digit hay price decline.

The highest average April alfalfa hay price was reported in Pennsylvania at $268 per ton. New Mexico and New York followed at $255, while Kentucky posted a $245 per ton average price.

North Dakota had the lowest average alfalfa price at $95 per ton. It was followed by South Dakota at $98 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 April, the average price of Supreme and Premium alfalfa hay rose by $4 per ton, posting at $234. The average high-quality alfalfa hay price was still $18 per ton lower than a year ago.

Other hay

The April average price of other hay was reported at $133 per ton, which was down $5 from the previous month and $7 lower than April 2025.

The highest April price for hay other than alfalfa was reported in New Mexico at $215 per ton. Pennsylvania and Washington followed at $200, while California and Oregon posted a $195 per ton price.

North Dakota had the lowest reported other hay average price at $68 per ton. It was followed by Oklahoma at $80 per ton.

USDA Hay Markets – June 2, 2026

Tennessee Direct Hay Report

Regional Hay Prices

State-By-State Hay Markets

New Mexico—In May 8 report, compared to the last report, the hay market appeared steady to firm.

Colorado—In May 21 report, compared to the last report, trade activity very light. Demand good to very good on both old crop and new crop hay.  The next available report will be June 4.

Missouri—In the May 21 report, As of early this week hay progress was running slightly head of the average with first cutting of alfalfa at 23 percent complete and other hay at 15 percent.  ASS released the hay stocks reports showing a decrease in stocks nationwide for the first time in three years. Missouri is said to have an increase of 10 percent over this point last year. Hay prices are steady. Demand is light and supplies are moderate. 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 May 22 report, compared to the last report, round bales of alfalfa sold 10.00 to 20.00 higher. Ground and delivered alfalfa in the Platte Valley sold 35.00 higher, ground and delivered cornstalks sold 20.00 higher. Ground and delivered hay in the west sold 20.00 higher. Grass hay sold fully steady. Demand was very good. Dryness continues in a large area and some ranchers are looking for large quantities of hay so they can dry lot cow/calf pairs this summer. Some new crop sales on the report with some large quantities of hay under contract for the 2026 growing season. These contracts are made but the hay has yet to be produced. Upward trend in the hay market and buyers and sellers know it will go higher as the demand picks up and the tonnage could be light this summer due to lack of moisture. Some alfalfa in the central and eastern areas has RFV ranging from 235-260 on first cutting. RFV is testing way better on the first cutting of 2026 than in recent years.

Oklahoma—In the May 8 report, compared to the last report, movement is moderate to steady for this time of year. 2026 new crop hay is being sold. Hay growers are trying to find their footing in pricing trends. Still have a lot of 2025 hay waiting to be sold, too. The next report release will be on May 22.

Texas—In the May 15 report, compared to the last report, hay prices remain steady. The next available hay report will be May 29.

South Dakota— In the Apr. 10 report, compared to last report, good interest from beef cattle operations looking to buy grass hay, not near the interest in buying alfalfa currently. Large dairy operations continue to feed haylage, which is keeping the alfalfa market under some pressure. Warmer temps and some rain in the forecast for the weekend and the start of next week. Good demand for cornstalks yet. 

Wyoming— In Apr. 15 report, compared to the last report, bales of alfalfa grass and pellets sold steady. Demand was good. Quite a few people calling and looking for hay to purchase.  Hay contacts are sold out of 2025 hay and are waiting to start the new crop hay probably the last week in May if every works out correctly. Irrigation water is the big topic on the hay calls. Some areas will have normal amounts of water and other districts are limiting the amount of water and the days to use it.  Released on Monday, April 13, the state’s SNOTELs are reading 46% of median with a basin high of 88% and a basin low of 0%. Last year the state was at 91%, and at 97% in 2024. Lack of snow fall this year is what has put the halt on the irrigation water for this growing season. Hopefully good Ole Mother Nature will bring the rains to grow the grass, hay and replenish the water in lakes and reservoirs. Next report will the first part of June.

Montana— In May 15 report, ay sold mostly 10.00-15.00 higher. Hay supplies across the state are very light and demand is very good. Hay prices continue to increase as ranchers search for hay. Conditions across the state remain dry and both producers and ranchers continue to show concern for hay availability. Lower quality hay continues to see strong demand as ranchers search for hay to feed cows while they wait for there to be enough grass to turn out. Spring rain and snow showers were very light across much of the state, however some western mountain snow was seen this past week as a system clipped the northern and Northwestern portions of the state. Dry and dusty conditions were seen this week across much of Northeastern Montana with some roads closed on Thursday due to low visibility from blowing dust. No new crop contracts were seen this week as producers were overwhelmed with interest for hay. Most producers took a back seat and decided to wait to see how much hay they can produce and how the market develops over the next few weeks. Producers in Northeastern Montana report large swaths of winter kill due the January ice storm. There is a major concern over how much hay will be produced this summer. Many irrigation districts have already announced they will have a very short irrigation season due to low river and stream flows. This, coupled with drought conditions and heavy winter kill will limit the volume of hay produced. According to the drought monitor 59.58% of the state is in Moderate drought or worse, up 2.40% from 2 weeks ago. 32.64% of the state is in an Severe drought or worse, up 4.34% from 2 weeks ago. 6.08% of the state is in Extreme drought or worse, up 0.91% from 2 weeks ago. 0% of the state is in Expectational drought, unchanged from 2 weeks ago. Notably, 87.34% of the state is abnormally dry, down 6.94% from 2 weeks ago.