State-By-State Hay Markets
New Mexico—In Aug. 28 report, compared to the last report, the hay market appeared steady to firm.
Colorado—In Aug. 27 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 and prairie/meadow grass sold 50 cents/bale higher FOB and Premium 3×3’s of mixed grass horse hay sold $10/bale higher. No comparable trades on feedlot and dairy markets, but prices remain firm. The next available report will be Sept. 10.
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 Aug. 27 report, compared to the last report, alfalfa hay in the Eastern side of the state $10 to $20 higher, alfalfa pellets $20 higher. Grass and alfalfa hay in the Central area steady to $10 higher, ground and delivered hay steady. Alfalfa hay in the Platte Valley sold steady to $20 higher ground and delivered hay sold $10 per ton higher. Alfalfa pellets sold steady. In the west, all reported forages sold steady. Demand was good to very good for bales of forage. Light demand on alfalfa pellets. Quite a lot of the pressure on the Nebraska hay market is from out of state buyers as they are adding additional price to the local market.
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.
All markets can be found at https://www.ams.usda.gov/market-news/hay-reports
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