Hay Market Demand and Price Report for the Upper Midwest

The hay market this week was a few dollars less this week. Top quality hay continues to bring good prices. Round bales and lower quality hay are discounted. Weather is a concern in many areas as clouds and wet has been common this week.

For Nebraska, hay sold steady, demand was light to moderate with good demand in the western areas of the state. For Iowa, steady market with good demand. Rainfall has made late season harvest difficult. Lower quality hay was heavily discounted.

In South Dakota, all classes of hay were steady to firm, demand is better than last week. Dairies need high testing hay and are having trouble locating quality hay. Good demand for grass hay as cattle feeders are starting calves.

For Missouri, hay prices are steady with a touch of weakness in the market with a moderate demand.
There has been an increase of hay being offered at the market. Many farmers are busy with fall harvest and field work.

In Southwest Minnesota, prices were steady to stronger with little or no quality hay available at the market and a decrease in offerings compared to last week.

In Wisconsin, quality alfalfa hay is in demand, just not much available at the auctions. Wet weather is
delaying some fall harvest operations and pastures have begun growing again allowing stockpiling of
forage or some late season pasture, which may delay hay purchases.

Straw prices were steady this past week. Small square bale straw price was steady at $3.60 a bale (range of $2.00 to $6.00). Large square bale straw prices decreased slightly to $43.00 per bale (a wide range of $16.00 to $70.00). Large round bale straw increased slightly and averaged $38.00 per bale (a wide range of $12.00 - $80.00).

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