State-By-State Hay Markets

New Mexico—In Sept. 11 report, compared to the last report, the hay market appeared firm.

Colorado—In Sept. 10 report, compared to the last report, trade activity Moderate. Demand Good to Very Good all markets of new crop hay. Premium small squares of mixed grass sold unevenly steady and Premium 3×3’s of mixed grass horse hay sold $10/bale lower. Premium 3×3’s of alfalfa sold $5/bale higher. Silage harvest is in full swing across the state. Some yields are coming in 5-8 ton/acre lower than last year.  The next available report will be Sept. 24.

Missouri—In the Sept. 3 report, extreme heat and lack of moisture is resulting in conditions across the state to quickly decline. Areas in the southwest quarter of the state are seeing some ponds, creeks, and springs going dry. Pastures have turned brown and some hay feeding is occurring. Areas to the north have been more fortunate with moisture for most of the year until recently. Corn harvest has started in several areas of the state for those that got planted early, and in areas that received moisture there is still some hay being baled. The supply of hay is moderate to heavy and hay listed for sale is abundant, especially fair to good quality grass types of hay. hay demand and movement have been light. Hay prices are steady.. 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 Sept. 10 report, compared to the last report, Dehy alfalfa in the east sold $30 higher. Ground and delivered hay in the Platte Valley and Central areas sold steady to $10 higher. Bales of hay sold fully steady to instances $20 higher. Hay out west sold steady. Demand was mostly good. Semi loads of hay continue to head west, mostly going to out of state buyers.

Oklahoma—In the Sept. 4 report, compared to the last report, nothing has changed. Demand for hay is still high. Due to the drought and cattle prices, cattle producers are calling all hay producers. Any type of hay is being moved. Oklahoma is still seeking rain. Unfortunately, the heat looks like it will be sticking around for the next couple of weeks. The next report release will be on Sept. 18.

Texas—In the Sept. 4 report, compared to the last report, hay prices and demand remain steady. The next available hay report will be Sept. 18.

South Dakota— In the Sept. 4 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 Sept. 3 report, compared to the last report, baled hay steady to 30.00 a ton higher. Demand was very good. First time since I have been reporting this hay market in Wyoming where a rancher or livestock owner is bidding more for hay than the dairies are willing to pay. Brutal dry weather, lack of late summer and fall grazing in a very large area has propelled the market sharply higher this year. Wyoming is usually a state where exports majority of is baled hay. This year is not the case, as Wyoming is bringing semi loads of hay from Nebraska, Iowa and other states. Ranching is the main source of income for many and keeping their lively hood viable for another year at any cost hoping Mother Nature will bring much need snow and rain to the hill sides. Most producers in the east are starting on Third cutting and as one goes west across the state those producers are on second cutting. About all producers are hoping for one more cutting of hay before the frost comes.

Montana— In Sept. 4 report, compared to last report(8-21-26): Hay sold generally steady. Hay continues to see very localized pricing. Hay continues to be delivered out of Canada and the Dakotas for mostly 180.00-230.00 depending on freight. Late season rains have helped improve pasture conditions in Western Montana and many ranchers have opted not to put up hay and graze fields instead as they hope for an open, warm, El Nino winter. For producers putting up hay many think they will put up a 3rd cutting as late season rains have helped boost yields especially in Western and parts of Central Montana. USDA freight assistance programs have helped ranchers move hay supplies at a reduced freight rate from surrounding states. Some hay is moving out of the state into Wyoming as demand for hay in severe drought stricken areas remains very good. Demand for hay across the state remains very good. Limited sales were seen this week as producers are busy wrapping up with grain harvest, hauling livestock or cutting and putting up hay. Many producers state they have most of their hay already spoken for but have yet to establish a price. Many are not concerned with marketing hay knowing most of it is already spoken for. According to the drought monitor 56.71% the state is in Moderate drought or worse, up 2.12% from 2 weeks ago. 17.49% of the state is in an Severe drought or worse, up 0.06% from 2 weeks ago. 4.40% of the state is in Extreme drought or worse, unchanged from 2 weeks ago. 4.40% of the state is in Expectational drought, up unchanged from 2 weeks ago. Notably, 92.52% of the state is abnormally dry, down 1.79% from 2 weeks ago.

Regional Hay Prices

Arizona Direct Hay Report

Oklahoma Direct Hay Report

Montana Direct Hay Report

Texas Direct Hay Report

Washington-Oregon (Columbia Basin) Direct Hay Report

Missouri Direct Hay Report

Rock Valley Hay Auction (Thur) - Rock Valley, IA

Wyoming Direct Hay Report

Nevada Direct Hay Report

Idaho Direct Hay Report

Winter feed concerns boost hay prices

Hay markets continued to strengthen across much of the Western U.S. during August as dry conditions reduced pasture availability and increased supplemental feeding needs. Feed demand remains elevated as producers in dry regions look to secure winter inventories earlier than normal.

Conditions by state:

Arizona

Arizona feed markets remain firm as livestock producers compete for limited forage supplies. Hay prices have strengthened considerably with dairy-quality hay remaining in particularly strong demand and short supply. Even rain-damaged hay reportedly is $45 per ton more than a year ago. Strong demand from drought-affected areas of Texas continues to support hay movement and pricing.

California

California forage conditions continue to be shaped by extreme weather. In Imperial Valley, severe heat reportedly reduced alfalfa yields by approximately 60%, contributing to expectations for higher alfalfa hay and alfalfa seed prices moving forward.

Idaho

Idaho hay demand remains moderate as recent rainfall has improved pasture conditions, allowing cattle to stay on range longer and reducing forage needs in some areas. However, widespread rain events have impacted portions of the alfalfa third cutting, resulting in a larger volume of rain-damaged hay entering the market. Straw supplies are also abundant, with significant volumes being baled and added to inventories. 2025 straw inventories remain on hand and continue to weigh on the market. Overall, adequate forage supplies and improved growing conditions have moderated demand, although weather-related quality concerns remain a factor for producers heading into the fall.

Montana

Montana hay markets have strengthened sharply after several years of low prices, driven by drought, heat stress, and growing winter feed demand. In southwestern Montana, poor pasture conditions and wildfires that displaced more than 1,000 cows have boosted forage demand, while eastern Montana producers report hay buyer inquiries from more than 400 miles away. Despite additional supplies from failed grain acres harvested as hay, strong demand has supported prices at $200 to $250 per ton FOB, although Canadian imports continue to limit further gains.

Oregon

Oregon producers reported some of the strongest hay market conditions in the West. In Central Point, stock hay prices are up $70 per ton from a year ago as drought, wildfires, and reduced rangeland have increased demand for winter feed. Klamath Falls producers also reported stronger demand from dairies, exporters, and cow-calf operators, with hay prices $40 to $60 per ton higher than last year amid growing concerns over forage supplies.

Washington

Washington hay markets are improving, with stronger alfalfa demand and modest price gains. Dry growing conditions have supported hay quality and accelerated crop development, likely leading to earlier silage harvests. While timothy hay demand remains weak due to cautious export buying, Western Washington growers reported strong yields and harvest conditions. Uncertainty surrounding export company restructuring and ownership changes continues to cloud the long-term outlook for hay exports.

Profitability

Hay (alfalfa): Slightly profitable - Bullish 12-month outlook
Hay (timothy): Slightly profitable - Bullish 12-month outlook

Alfalfa profitability has improved as drought, reduced pasture availability, and stronger feed demand have lifted prices, and is expected to continue improving over the next 12 months. 

Timothy hay remains slightly profitable, although current export demand is weak. The outlook is cautiously bullish based on expectations for improving forage markets and eventual stabilization in export demand. However, uncertainty surrounding export buyers remains a significant risk. 

Dakota Hay Auction - Corsica, SD (Monday)

Kansas Direct Hay Report

More: Kansas Direct Hay Report

USDA Hay Markets – September 15, 2026