Hay Prices Per Ton This Week: Alfalfa & Grass Hay by State

This week’s hay prices: average alfalfa and grass hay prices per ton by state, plus every listing in the USDA direct hay reports by region, hay type, quality and bale size. Whether you’re buying hay for a few goats or a cow herd, these prices help you judge whether a local offer is fair.

Last updated: September 25, 2026

Alfalfa hay (avg. of states)
$228/ton
No change data yet
4 state reports · bales, conventional
Grass hay (avg. of states)
$175/ton
No change data yet
3 state reports · bales, conventional

A price trend chart will appear here as daily data builds up.

Hay prices by state (per ton)

State Alfalfa ($/ton) Grass hay ($/ton) Week ending Full report
Nebraska $224 $158 September 25, 2026 USDA report
Kansas $224 $119 September 11, 2026 USDA report
Texas – – September 18, 2026 USDA report
Colorado – – September 25, 2026 USDA report
California $227 – September 25, 2026 USDA report
Washington & Oregon $237 $247 September 18, 2026 USDA report

State averages are volume-weighted averages of conventional baled hay sold by the ton (pellets, ground and standing hay excluded), calculated by FarmingAround from each USDA report. Small square bales sold per bale are listed in the detailed tables below.

Detailed hay listings

Nebraska hay prices, week ending September 25, 2026 (15 listings)
Region Hay & quality Package Sale Price Freight
Central Alfalfa Ground Ask $250–$260/ton Delivered
Central Cane Large Round Trade $130/ton F.O.B.-Feedlot
Central Prairie/Meadow Grass – Good/Premium Large Round Trade $180–$200/ton F.O.B.
Central Prairie/Meadow Grass – Good/Premium Small Square Trade $10/bale F.O.B.
East Alfalfa Pellets 17% Dehydrated Ask $420/ton F.O.B.
East Alfalfa Pellets 17% Suncured Ask $350/ton F.O.B.
East Alfalfa – Good Large Round Trade $185–$200/ton F.O.B.
East Alfalfa – Fair/Good Large Round Trade $165/ton F.O.B.-Farm/Ranch
East Grass – Good Large Round Trade $140–$150/ton F.O.B.
Platte Valley Alfalfa Ground Ask $260/ton Delivered
Platte Valley Alfalfa Pellets 17% Dehydrated Ask $330–$340/ton F.O.B.
Platte Valley Alfalfa – Good Large Round Trade $200–$210/ton F.O.B.
West Alfalfa Ground Ask $320/ton Delivered
West Alfalfa – Good/Premium Large Square 3×4 Trade $270–$300/ton F.O.B.
West Wheat [straw] Large Square Trade $150/ton F.O.B.-Feedlot
Kansas hay prices, week ending September 11, 2026 (113 listings)
Region Hay & quality Package Sale Price Freight
Statewide Alfalfa – Premium/Supreme Large Square 3×4 Contract $275/ton F.O.B.
Statewide Alfalfa – Premium/Supreme Large Square 3×4 Trade $225/ton Delivered
Statewide Alfalfa – Fair/Good Ground Contract $200/ton Delivered-Feedlot
Statewide Alfalfa – Fair/Good Ground Contract $180/ton Delivered
Statewide Alfalfa – Fair/Good Large Square 3×4 Trade $170/ton Delivered
Statewide Alfalfa – Fair/Good Large Square 3×4 Trade $200/ton F.O.B.
Statewide Bluestem Grass – Good Large Round Trade $117/ton Delivered
Statewide Bluestem Grass – Good Large Round Trade $95/ton F.O.B.
Statewide Bluestem Grass – Good Large Square 3×4 Trade $120/ton F.O.B.
Statewide Brome Grass – Good Large Square 3×4 Trade $150/ton F.O.B.
Statewide Wheat [straw] Large Square Trade $140/ton F.O.B.
Statewide Alfalfa – Premium/Supreme Large Square 3×4 Trade $210/ton F.O.B.
Statewide Alfalfa – Premium/Supreme Medium Square 3×3 Trade $230/ton F.O.B.-Stables
Statewide Alfalfa – Premium/Supreme Medium Square 3×3 Trade $250/ton F.O.B.-Stables
Statewide Alfalfa – Premium/Supreme Medium Square 3×3 Trade $270/ton F.O.B.-Stables
Statewide Alfalfa – Premium/Supreme Small Square Trade $13/bale F.O.B.
Statewide Alfalfa – Premium/Supreme Large Round Trade $1/bale F.O.B.
Statewide Bluestem Grass – Premium Small Square Trade $8/bale F.O.B.
Statewide Bluestem Grass – Premium Small Square Trade $8/bale Delivered-Stables
Statewide Bluestem Grass – Fair/Good Large Square 3×4 Trade $55/ton F.O.B.
Statewide Brome Grass – Premium Small Square Trade $10/bale F.O.B.
Statewide Brome Grass – Good Large Round Trade $85–$190/ton F.O.B.
Statewide Brome Grass – Good Large Square 3×4 Trade $220/ton F.O.B.
Statewide Sudan – Good Large Round Trade $80/ton F.O.B.
Statewide Wheat [straw] Large Square Trade $100–$120/ton F.O.B.
Statewide Wheat [straw] Round Trade $70/ton F.O.B.
Statewide Wheat [straw] Small Square Trade $7/bale F.O.B.
Northwest Alfalfa – Premium/Supreme Large Square 3×4 Trade $225/ton Delivered-Dairy
Northwest Alfalfa – Fair/Good Large Square 3×4 Trade $190/ton Delivered
South Central Alfalfa – Supreme Pellets 17% Dehydrated Trade $355/ton Delivered-Dealer/Mill/Processor
South Central Alfalfa – Premium/Supreme Large Square 3×4 Trade $225–$250/ton F.O.B.
South Central Alfalfa – Premium/Supreme Large Square 3×4 Trade $275/ton F.O.B.
South Central Alfalfa – Premium Small Square Trade $13/bale F.O.B.
South Central Alfalfa – Good Pellets 15% Suncured Trade $270–$280/ton Delivered-Dealer/Mill/Processor
South Central Alfalfa – Good Large Square 3×4 Trade $230/ton F.O.B.
South Central Alfalfa – Fair/Good Ground Contract $240–$275/ton Delivered
South Central Alfalfa – Fair/Good Large Round Contract $245–$270/ton Delivered
South Central Alfalfa – Fair/Good Large Square 3×4 Contract $220/ton F.O.B.-Feedlot
South Central Alfalfa – Fair/Good Large Square 3×4 Contract $190–$235/ton Delivered
South Central Alfalfa – Fair/Good Ground Contract $240–$260/ton Delivered
South Central Alfalfa – Fair/Good Large Square 3×4 Contract $245/ton F.O.B.
South Central Alfalfa – Fair/Good Ground Trade $238–$260/ton Delivered-Feedlot
South Central Alfalfa – Fair/Good Large Round Trade $200/ton F.O.B.
South Central Alfalfa – Fair/Good Large Square 3×4 Trade $85/ton Delivered
South Central Alfalfa – Fair/Good Large Square 3×4 Trade $160/ton Delivered
South Central Alfalfa – Fair/Good Large Square 3×4 Trade $220/ton F.O.B.
South Central Alfalfa – Fair/Good Large Square 3×4 Trade $200/ton F.O.B.-Feedlot
South Central Alfalfa – Fair/Good Large Square 3×4 Trade $180–$235/ton F.O.B.
South Central Alfalfa – Fair/Good Large Square 3×4 Trade $170–$250/ton Delivered
South Central Alfalfa – Fair/Good Large Round Trade $165/ton F.O.B.
South Central Bluestem Grass – Premium Small Square Trade $10/bale F.O.B.
South Central Brome Grass – Premium Small Square Trade $15/bale F.O.B.
South Central Brome Grass – Good Large Square 3×4 Trade $180/ton F.O.B.
South Central Grass – Good Large Square 3×4 Trade $165/ton Delivered
South Central Grass – Good Weedy Large Round Trade $100/ton F.O.B.
South Central Soybean – Good Large Round Trade $150/ton F.O.B.
South Central Corn Stalk [straw] Large Square Trade $100–$125/ton Delivered
Southeast Alfalfa – Fair/Good Large Square 3×4 Trade $200/ton F.O.B.
Southeast Alfalfa – Fair/Good Large Square 3×4 Trade $125/ton F.O.B.
Southeast Alfalfa – Fair/Good Large Square 3×4 Trade $1/ton F.O.B.
Southeast Bluestem Grass – Premium Small Square Contract $375/ton F.O.B.
Southeast Bluestem Grass – Premium Small Square Trade $160/ton F.O.B.
Southeast Bluestem Grass – Premium Small Square Trade $8/bale F.O.B.
Southeast Bluestem Grass – Good/Premium Small Square Trade $160/ton F.O.B.
Southeast Bluestem Grass – Good Large Round Contract $95/ton Delivered
Southeast Bluestem Grass – Good Large Round Contract $90/ton F.O.B.
Southeast Bluestem Grass – Good Large Square 3×4 Contract $120/ton F.O.B.-Feedlot
Southeast Bluestem Grass – Good Large Square 3×4 Contract $180–$200/ton Delivered-Feedlot
Southeast Bluestem Grass – Good Large Square 3×4 Contract $120/ton F.O.B.
Southeast Bluestem Grass – Good Large Round Contract $125/ton Delivered
Southeast Bluestem Grass – Good Large Round Trade $55/ton F.O.B.
Southeast Bluestem Grass – Good Certified Weed Free Large Round Trade $95/ton F.O.B.
Southeast Bluestem Grass – Good field Large Round Trade $100–$110/ton F.O.B.
Southeast Bluestem Grass – Good Large Square 3×4 Trade $115–$155/ton F.O.B.-Feedlot
Southeast Bluestem Grass – Good Large Square 3×4 Trade $105–$160/ton F.O.B.
Southeast Bluestem Grass – Good Large Square 3×4 Trade $100–$150/ton F.O.B.
Southeast Bluestem Grass – Good field Large Round Trade $90/ton F.O.B.
Southeast Bluestem Grass – Good Large Square 3×4 Trade $120/ton F.O.B.
Southeast Brome Grass – Premium Small Square Trade $200/ton F.O.B.
Southeast Brome Grass – Premium Small Square Contract $12/bale F.O.B.
Southeast Brome Grass – Good Large Square 3×4 Contract $165/ton Delivered
Southeast Brome Grass – Good Large Square 3×4 Trade $160/ton F.O.B.
Southeast Teff – Premium Small Square Trade $12/bale F.O.B.
Southeast Wheat [straw] Round Trade $70/ton F.O.B.
Southeast Wheat [straw] Small Square Trade $6/bale F.O.B.
Southwest Alfalfa – Premium/Supreme Large Square 3×4 Contract $260/ton F.O.B.-Stables
Southwest Alfalfa – Premium/Supreme Large Square 3×4 Trade $225/ton Delivered
Southwest Alfalfa – Premium/Supreme Large Square 3×4 Trade $250/ton F.O.B.-Dairy
Southwest Alfalfa – Premium Pellets 17% Suncured Trade $285/ton F.O.B.-Dealer/Mill/Processor
Southwest Alfalfa – Premium Small Square Trade $12–$14/bale F.O.B.-Stables
Southwest Alfalfa – Good Large Square 3×4 Contract $260/ton Delivered
Southwest Alfalfa – Good Large Square 3×4 Trade $270/ton Delivered
Southwest Alfalfa – Good Pellets 15% Suncured Trade $285/ton F.O.B.-Dealer/Mill/Processor
Southwest Alfalfa – Fair/Good Ground Contract $260–$270/ton Delivered-Feedlot
Southwest Alfalfa – Fair/Good Ground Contract $240–$265/ton Delivered
Southwest Alfalfa – Fair/Good Large Square 3×4 Contract $220–$240/ton Delivered
Southwest Alfalfa – Fair/Good Ground Contract $240–$260/ton Delivered-Feedlot
Southwest Alfalfa – Fair/Good Large Square 3×4 Contract $190–$200/ton F.O.B.
Southwest Alfalfa – Fair/Good Ground Trade $180/ton F.O.B.
Southwest Alfalfa – Fair/Good Ground Trade $250–$270/ton Delivered
Southwest Alfalfa – Fair/Good Large Square 3×4 Trade $210/ton F.O.B.
Southwest Alfalfa – Fair/Good Large Square 3×4 Trade $200/ton F.O.B.
Southwest Alfalfa – Fair/Good Large Square 3×4 Trade $229–$260/ton Delivered
Southwest Alfalfa – Fair/Good Large Round Trade $210–$260/ton F.O.B.
Southwest Alfalfa – Fair/Good Large Square 3×4 Trade $200–$225/ton F.O.B.
Southwest Alfalfa/Oat Mix – Good Large Square 3×4 Trade $150/ton F.O.B.
Southwest Brome Grass – Premium Small Square Trade $10/bale F.O.B.-Stables
Southwest Cane – Good Large Round Trade $40/bale F.O.B.
Southwest Corn Stalk – Good Large Round Trade $108/ton Delivered
Southwest Grass – Good Large Square 3×4 Trade $100/ton F.O.B.
Southwest Teff – Good Large Round Trade $200–$220/ton F.O.B.
Southwest Wheat [straw] Round Trade $150/ton Delivered
Southwest Wheat [straw] Small Square Trade $5/bale F.O.B.
Texas hay prices, week ending September 18, 2026 (25 listings)
Region Hay & quality Package Sale Price Freight
Central Bermuda Grass – Good Large Round Ask $65–$75/bale F.O.B.
Panhandle Alfalfa – Premium/Supreme (organic) Large Square 3×4 Contract $380/ton Delivered-Dairy
Panhandle Prairie/Meadow Grass – Fair/Good (organic) Large Square 3×4 Contract $240/ton Delivered-Dairy
Panhandle Alfalfa – Premium Small Square Ask $13–$16/bale F.O.B.-Dealer/Mill/Processor
Panhandle Alfalfa – Premium Small Square 3 Tie Ask $26–$27/bale F.O.B.-Dealer/Mill/Processor
Panhandle Alfalfa – Premium Large Round Ask $175/bale F.O.B.-Dealer/Mill/Processor
Panhandle Alfalfa – Good Small Square Ask $9/bale F.O.B.-Dealer/Mill/Processor
Panhandle Bermuda Grass – Premium Large Round Ask $135–$140/bale F.O.B.-Dealer/Mill/Processor
Panhandle Bermuda Grass – Premium Small Square Ask $14/bale F.O.B.-Dealer/Mill/Processor
Panhandle Bermuda Grass – Good Small Square Ask $11–$12/bale F.O.B.-Dealer/Mill/Processor
Panhandle Bermuda Grass – Good Small Square Ask $9/bale F.O.B.-Retail
Panhandle Bermuda Grass – Fair Large Round Ask $95/bale F.O.B.-Farm/Ranch
Panhandle Bermuda Grass – Fair Large Round Ask $115–$125/bale F.O.B.-Dealer/Mill/Processor
South Alfalfa – Premium Small Square 3 Tie Ask $25/bale F.O.B.-Dealer/Mill/Processor
South Alfalfa – Premium Small Square Ask $20–$21/bale F.O.B.-Dealer/Mill/Processor
South Bermuda Grass – Premium Small Square Ask $13–$15/bale F.O.B.-Dealer/Mill/Processor
South Bermuda Grass – Premium Large Round Ask $100/bale F.O.B.
South Bermuda Grass – Good/Premium Small Square Bundled Ask $10/bale F.O.B.-Retail
South Bermuda Grass – Good Large Round Ask $75/bale F.O.B.
South Bermuda Grass – Good Small Square Ask $13–$14/bale F.O.B.-Dealer/Mill/Processor
South Bermuda Grass – Good Small Square Bundled Ask $11–$12/bale F.O.B.-Retail
South Bermuda Grass – Good Small Square Bundled Ask $12/bale F.O.B.-Dealer/Mill/Processor
South Bermuda Grass – Fair/Good Large Round Ask $60–$75/ton F.O.B.
South Bermuda Grass – Utility Large Round Ask $50–$55/bale F.O.B.
South Mixed Grass – Good Large Round Ask $75–$80/bale F.O.B.
Colorado hay prices, week ending September 25, 2026 (36 listings)
Region Hay & quality Package Sale Price Freight
Mountains and Northwest CO Grass – Fair Medium Square 3×3 Trade $300/ton F.O.B.-Farm/Ranch
Northeast Alfalfa Large Square 3×4 Ask $325/bale F.O.B.-Retail
Northeast Alfalfa Large Square 4×4 Ask $300/bale F.O.B.-Retail
Northeast Alfalfa Medium Square 3×3 Ask $185/bale F.O.B.-Retail
Northeast Alfalfa Medium Square 3×3 Ask $185/bale F.O.B.-Retail
Northeast Alfalfa Small Square Bundled Ask $14–$15/bale F.O.B.-Retail
Northeast Alfalfa – Premium Medium Square 3×3 Trade $165/bale F.O.B.-Stables
Northeast Alfalfa – Premium Small Square Trade $14/bale F.O.B.-Stables
Northeast Alfalfa/Grass Mix – Premium Medium Square 3×3 Trade $175/bale F.O.B.-Stables
Northeast Alfalfa/Grass Mix – Premium Small Square Trade $16/bale F.O.B.-Stables
Northeast Alfalfa/Orchard Mix Medium Square 3×3 Ask $185/bale F.O.B.-Retail
Northeast Alfalfa/Orchard Mix Small Square Bundled Ask $14–$15/bale F.O.B.-Retail
Northeast Brome Grass Large Round Ask $250/bale F.O.B.-Retail
Northeast Brome Grass Medium Square 3×3 Ask $175/bale F.O.B.-Retail
Northeast Brome Grass Small Square Bundled Ask $14/bale F.O.B.-Retail
Northeast Millet – Premium Large Square 4×4 Trade $200/ton F.O.B.-Feedlot
Northeast Mixed Grass – Premium Medium Square 3×3 Trade $180/bale F.O.B.-Stables
Northeast Mixed Grass – Premium Small Square Trade $15/bale F.O.B.-Stables
Northeast Mixed Grass – Premium Small Square Trade $16/bale F.O.B.-Stables
Northeast Timothy Grass Large Square 3×4 Ask $280/bale F.O.B.-Retail
Northeast Timothy Grass Medium Square 3×3 Ask $195/bale F.O.B.-Retail
Northeast Timothy Grass Small Square Bundled Ask $16/bale F.O.B.-Retail
Northeast Wheat [straw] Small Square Ask $7/bale F.O.B.-Retail
San Luis Valley Alfalfa – Good Large Square 3×4 Trade $130/bale F.O.B.-Farm/Ranch
Southeast Alfalfa Small Square Bundled Ask $12/bale F.O.B.-Stables
Southeast Alfalfa – Premium/Supreme Small Square Trade $12/bale F.O.B.-Stables
Southeast Alfalfa – Premium Medium Square 3×3 Trade $165/bale F.O.B.-Stables
Southeast Alfalfa – Fair Large Square 3×4 Trade $250/ton F.O.B.-Farm/Ranch
Southeast Prairie/Meadow Grass – Premium Small Square Trade $12/bale F.O.B.-Retail
Southeast Sorghum – Fair Large Square 3×4 Trade $200/ton F.O.B.-Farm/Ranch
Southeast Timothy Grass – Premium Medium Square 3×3 Trade $165/bale F.O.B.-Retail
Southwest Alfalfa/Grass Mix Small Square Ask $10/bale F.O.B.-Stables
Southwest Mixed Grass Small Square Ask $14–$18/bale F.O.B.-Stables
Southwest Orchard Grass Small Square 3 Tie Ask $20/bale F.O.B.-Stables
Southwest Orchard Grass – Premium Small Square 3 Tie Contract $24/bale F.O.B.-Stables
Southwest Orchard Grass – Premium Small Square 3 Tie Trade $20/bale F.O.B.-Stables
California hay prices, week ending September 25, 2026 (35 listings)
Region Hay & quality Package Sale Price Freight
Central San Joaquin Valley Corn Standing Trade $75/ton Delivered-Dairy
North Inter-Mountains Alfalfa – Supreme Large Square 3×4 Contract $220–$240/ton F.O.B.-Dairy
North Inter-Mountains Alfalfa – Premium/Supreme Large Square 3×4 Contract $260/ton F.O.B.-Dairy
North Inter-Mountains Alfalfa – Premium Large Square 3×4 Trade $240–$250/ton F.O.B.-Dairy
North Inter-Mountains Alfalfa – Premium Small Square 3 Tie Trade $14/bale F.O.B.-Retail
North Inter-Mountains Alfalfa – Premium Small Square 3 Tie Trade $15/bale F.O.B.-Retail
North Inter-Mountains Alfalfa – Premium Small Square 3 Tie Trade $13–$14/bale F.O.B.-Retail
North Inter-Mountains Alfalfa – Good Large Square 3×4 Trade $200–$210/ton F.O.B.-Dairy
North Inter-Mountains Alfalfa – Good Large Square 3×4 Trade $230/ton F.O.B.-Dealer/Mill/Processor
North Inter-Mountains Alfalfa – Good Small Square 3 Tie Trade $13/bale F.O.B.-Retail
North Inter-Mountains Alfalfa – Fair/Good Large Square 3×4 Trade $180/ton F.O.B.-Farm/Ranch
North Inter-Mountains Alfalfa – Fair/Good Large Square 3×4 Trade $195/ton F.O.B.-Farm/Ranch
North Inter-Mountains Alfalfa/Orchard Mix – Premium Small Square 3 Tie Trade $15/bale F.O.B.-Retail
North Inter-Mountains Fescue Grass – Premium Small Square 3 Tie Trade $14/bale F.O.B.-Retail
North Inter-Mountains Orchard Grass – Premium Small Square 3 Tie Contract $18/bale F.O.B.-Retail
North Inter-Mountains Orchard Grass – Premium Small Square 3 Tie Contract $18/bale F.O.B.-Retail
North Inter-Mountains Orchard Grass – Premium Small Square 3 Tie Trade $18/bale F.O.B.-Retail
North Inter-Mountains Orchard Grass – Premium Small Square 3 Tie Trade $18/bale F.O.B.-Retail
North Inter-Mountains Prairie/Meadow Grass – Premium Small Square 3 Tie Trade $14/bale F.O.B.-Retail
North Inter-Mountains Wheat – Good Large Square 3×4 Trade $150/ton F.O.B.-Dairy
North Inter-Mountains Alfalfa – Premium (organic) Large Square 3×4 Trade $290/ton F.O.B.-Dairy
North San Joaquin Valley Alfalfa – Premium Large Square 3×4 Trade $250/ton F.O.B.-Dairy
North San Joaquin Valley Alfalfa – Good Large Square 3×4 Trade $215/ton F.O.B.-Dairy
North San Joaquin Valley Alfalfa – Fair Large Square 3×4 Trade $180/ton Delivered-Dairy
Sacramento Valley Alfalfa – Good Small Square 3 Tie Trade $220/ton F.O.B.-Retail
Sacramento Valley Alfalfa/Orchard Mix – Utility/Fair Small Square 3 Tie Trade $140/ton F.O.B.
Sacramento Valley Alfalfa – Premium Small Square 3 Tie Trade $17/bale F.O.B.-Dealer/Mill/Processor
Sacramento Valley Alfalfa – Good Small Square 3 Tie Trade $16/bale F.O.B.-Dealer/Mill/Processor
Sacramento Valley Bermuda Grass – Premium Small Square 3 Tie Trade $13/bale F.O.B.-Retail
Southeast Alfalfa – Premium Large Square 3×4 Trade $200/ton F.O.B.-Dairy
Southeast Alfalfa – Premium Small Square 3 Tie Trade $240–$260/ton F.O.B.-Retail
Southeast Alfalfa – Good Large Square 3×4 Trade $200–$215/ton F.O.B.-Dairy
Southeast Alfalfa – Fair Large Square 3×4 Trade $175/ton F.O.B.-Dairy
Southeast Alfalfa – Fair Large Square 3×4 Trade $160–$170/ton F.O.B.-Feedlot
Southeast Giant Bermuda Grass – Premium Small Square 3 Tie Trade $260/ton F.O.B.-Retail
Washington & Oregon hay prices, week ending September 18, 2026 (15 listings)
Region Hay & quality Package Sale Price Freight
N/A Alfalfa – Fair/Good Large Square 3×4 Trade $230/ton F.O.B.-Export
N/A Alfalfa – Fair/Good Large Square 3×4 Trade $235/ton F.O.B.-Dairy
N/A Alfalfa – Fair/Good Large Square 3×4 Trade $250/ton Delivered-Export
N/A Alfalfa – Fair/Good Large Square 3×4 Trade $255/ton Delivered-Export
N/A Alfalfa – Fair/Good Large Square 3×4 Trade $225/ton F.O.B.-Export
N/A Alfalfa – Fair/Good Small Square Trade $280–$290/ton F.O.B.-Retail
N/A Corn – Fair/Good Standing Trade $37–$38/ton F.O.B.-Dairy
N/A Orchard Grass – Good/Premium Small Square Trade $300/ton F.O.B.-Retail
N/A Orchard Grass – Fair/Good Small Square Trade $295/ton F.O.B.-Retail
N/A Teff – Good/Premium Small Square Trade $310/ton F.O.B.-Retail
N/A Timothy Grass – Fair/Good Large Square 3×4 Trade $210–$220/ton F.O.B.-Export
N/A Bluegrass [straw] Large Square Trade $80/ton F.O.B.-Feedlot
N/A Bluegrass [straw] Large Square Trade $100/ton F.O.B.
N/A Rye [straw] Large Square Trade $80–$100/ton F.O.B.-Export
N/A Wheat [straw] Large Square Trade $93–$100/ton Delivered-Dairy

Source: USDA AMS Market News direct hay reports (weekly or bi-weekly). Reported sales and asking prices, not live quotes; local prices vary with quality, bale type and freight. Checked for new reports every weekday evening.

Looking for older prices? See hay price history: yearly and monthly USDA prices with long-term charts.

Hay Quality Grades

USDA grades alfalfa by its relative feed value (RFV) and protein. Higher grades cost more but feed better.

Grade Alfalfa RFV Crude protein Typical use
Supreme Over 185 Over 22% High-producing dairy cows
Premium 170–185 20–22% Dairy, young stock
Good 150–170 18–20% Beef cows, horses, goats
Fair 130–150 16–18% Beef cows in mid-gestation
Utility Under 130 Under 16% Dry cows, filler

Grass hay is graded by protein: Premium over 13%, Good 9–13%, Fair 5–9%.

Converting Price per Ton to Price per Bale

Divide the price per ton by the number of bales in a ton. As a rough guide, small square bales weigh 40–70 lb (about 30–50 bales per ton), large round bales 800–1,500 lb and large 3×4 square bales 700–1,000 lb. Always ask for the actual bale weight: two bales that look the same can differ by hundreds of pounds.

Tip: Buy hay by the ton on a scale ticket when you can, and ask for a forage test for alfalfa. It is the only way to compare offers fairly.

What Moves Hay Prices

  • Drought: dry years cut yields and raise prices sharply, while wet years can lower quality.
  • Dairy demand: dairies pay top prices for high-quality alfalfa.
  • Freight: hay is bulky, so trucking cost is a big part of the delivered price, especially when diesel is expensive.
  • Season: prices are often lowest at harvest and rise through late winter.

How much hay will you need? See our guides to what goats eat, what rabbits eat and feeder cattle prices, or go back to all farm market prices.

FAQ

How much does a ton of hay cost?

It depends on the type, quality and region. See the state table above for this week’s average alfalfa and grass hay prices per ton from USDA reports.

Why is alfalfa more expensive than grass hay?

Alfalfa has more protein and energy per ton, is in high demand from dairies and costs more to grow and harvest.

How much hay does a cow eat?

A beef cow eats roughly 2–2.5% of her body weight in hay dry matter a day, about 25–35 lb for a 1,300 lb cow. Waste in storage and feeding adds more.

How often are hay prices updated?

USDA hay reports are weekly or every two weeks, depending on the state. We check for new reports every weekday evening.

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