Hay Market Demand and Price Report for the Upper Midwest

Demand and Sales Comments
Hay prices are steady this week. Many local markets may not be testing for quality and the buyer must be aware of the hay they are buying. If you are looking to buy or sell forage connect to the Farmer to Farmer webpage at http://farmertofarmer.uwex.edu/ to place an ad for your needs or what you have to sell. There is no charge for the service.

For Nebraska, hay sold steady with good demand. Mud or thawing soils are an issue to move hay and straw. Spring melt flood waters are a concern in many areas. For Iowa, hay and bedding are in demand. Prices slid downward on lower quality hay while quality hay held its own. Roads are firming up.

In South Dakota, very good demand and firm prices for all classes of hay. Low inventory of hay in the state. Transportation is a problem with snow melt and localized flooding. In Kansas, hay market activity is light with a moderate demand and steady prices. Some farmers may let go of some hay inventory as there is a little green showing as the snow melts.

For Missouri, Hay demand is good as some still need a few bales to finish the feeding season. Supplies are light with steady prices. Some farmers have attempted to apply fertilizer, but need to be careful not to get stuck in the mud.

In Southwest Minnesota, prices were steady with a wide range of prices on some of the lower quality hay.

In Wisconsin, prices are strong with demand for hay. The Wisconsin hay markets have a good deal of
interest and supply. Many markets are not testing for quality and the buyer must be aware of the hay they are buying.

Straw prices are for oat, barley, or wheat straw, not soybean straw. Prices were steady and there is
demand for straw. Small square bales averaged $3.45 a bale (range of $1.50 to $6.00). Large square bale straw averaged $49.00 per bale (a wide range of $25.00 to $69.00). Large round bale straw averaged $60.00 per bale (a wide range of $35.00 - $100.00). Wheat straw typically will demand a slightly higher price and overall straw quality does impact the price.

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