THE 30-SECOND VERSION
Midwest alfalfa is flat — good-quality large rounds are still moving at $105–$140/ton across MN, IA, and SD auctions, same as last week. No big swings. The story this issue is Indiana: both Shipshewana and Topeka are clearing premium mixed grass and alfalfa/grass mix at $260–$350/ton — 2–3x Midwest prices for comparable quality. Meanwhile Pennsylvania hit $405/ton for premium small square grass. If you're a Midwest seller with the ability to haul east, that spread is real money.
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🌽 MIDWEST SPOTLIGHT
Pipestone, MN
• Alfalfa Good — Large Round: $105/ton
• Alfalfa Fair — Large Round: $50–$95/ton (avg $72)
• Alfalfa/Grass Mix Good — Large Round: $110/ton
Rock Valley, IA
• Alfalfa Good/Premium — Large Round: $140/ton
• Alfalfa Fair/Good — Large Round: $120–$125/ton
• Grass Good/Premium — Large Round: $135–$140/ton (avg $138)
HPL Auction, IA
• Alfalfa Fair/Good — Large Round: $95–$105/ton (avg $102)
Dakota, SD
• Alfalfa Good — Large Round: $100–$135/ton (avg $118)
• Grass Good — Large Round: $95–$125/ton (avg $112)
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🗺️ NATIONAL QUICK HITS
• Indiana (Shipshewana + Topeka): Alfalfa/Grass Mix Good/Premium — $265–$350/ton
• Pennsylvania (Wolgemuth): Premium small square grass — $405/ton
• Kansas NW: Alfalfa Premium/Supreme — $185–$300/ton
• Pacific NW: Alfalfa Premium small square — $250/ton; Timothy Good/Premium — $300/ton
• Arizona: Supreme alfalfa small square — $295–$310/ton
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📋 WHAT FARMERS ARE ACTUALLY GETTING PAID
USDA NASS private sale survey — January 2026:
Minnesota — $72/ton private vs $105–$140 auction
Iowa — $97/ton private vs $95–$140 auction
South Dakota — $89/ton private vs $100–$135 auction
Nebraska — $85/ton private vs $60–$85 auction
Kansas — $103/ton private vs $88–$160 auction
Wisconsin — $83/ton (no major auctions)
Private sales tend to lag auction prices by 4–6 weeks.
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💡 TAKEAWAY
The Midwest discount to the rest of the country is holding wide. Iowa and Minnesota buyers are getting good alfalfa at $100–$140/ton while Indiana buyers are paying $260–$350/ton for similar quality. That's not a blip — it's a structural price gap driven by demand density and lack of supply in the eastern corridor. Worth watching whether that gap closes heading into spring.
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Data: USDA AMS + USDA NASS. Prices per ton unless noted. Next issue: March 16.
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