THE 30-SECOND VERSION
Spring is the most important time to know what hay is worth — and right now the Midwest is sending mixed signals. Rock Valley IA is holding firm at $129/ton for good alfalfa. Pipestone MN is $20 cheaper at $109/ton. Indiana markets are running $225–229/ton — nearly double the Midwest average — signaling tight horse hay supply up there. And for the first time, we're including reader-reported prices straight from the field. Iowa farmers shared real sale prices this week: dairy squares in Dyersville went for $250–270/ton. That's a number you won't find in any USDA report.
🌽 MIDWEST AUCTION PRICES
What hay actually sold for at auction this week:
Pipestone, MN
• Alfalfa Fair — Large Round: $50–$95/ton (avg $72)
• Alfalfa Fair — Large Round: $60–$105/ton (avg $77)
• Alfalfa Good — Large Round: $105–$125/ton (avg $113)
• Alfalfa Good — Large Square 3x4: $130/ton
• Alfalfa Utility — Large Round: $30–$50/ton (avg $41)
• Alfalfa/Grass Mix Fair — Large Round: $55–$70/ton (avg $64)
Rock Valley, IA
• Alfalfa Fair/Good — Large Round: $115–$138/ton (avg $124)
• Alfalfa Fair/Good — Large Round: $130–$138/ton (avg $135)
• Alfalfa Utility — Large Round: $75–$90/ton (avg $83)
• Grass Fair/Good — Large Round: $115–$134/ton (avg $124)
HPL Auction, IA
• Alfalfa Fair/Good — Large Round: $95–$105/ton (avg $100)
• Alfalfa Utility — Large Round: $45–$60/ton (avg $50)
Dakota, SD
• Alfalfa Fair — Large Round: $85–$100/ton (avg $92)
• Alfalfa Good — Large Round: $95–$155/ton (avg $117)
• Alfalfa/Grass Mix Good — Large Round: $120/ton
📊 ALFALFA GOOD — LARGE ROUND BENCHMARK
The most comparable data point across markets. Use this to know if your region is cheap or expensive right now.
Region | Avg $/Ton |
|---|---|
Madison County, IL | $36 |
Iowa (statewide) | $55 |
Arthur, IL | $59 |
Oklahoma - Northwest | $60 |
Nebraska - East | $80 |
Nebraska - Central | $82 |
Nebraska - Platte Valley | $85 |
Kansas | $87 |
HPL Auction, IA | $102 |
Pipestone, MN | $109 |
Dakota, SD | $118 |
Rock Valley, IA | $129 |
Kansas - Southwest | $142 |
Montana | $150 |
Missouri | $162 |
Oklahoma - Northeast | $183 |
Shipshewana, IN | $227 |
Topeka, IN | $229 |
Indiana at $227–229/ton stands out. That's not a typo — horse hay demand in northern Indiana is pulling prices nearly double what Rock Valley commands for the same quality. If you're a seller near Indiana, you're leaving money on the table selling locally.
🌾 FROM THE FIELD — Reader-Reported Prices
These came in from farmers commenting on our Reddit post this week. This is the stuff that doesn't show up in USDA reports.
Dyersville, IA — Dairy quality large squares sold for $250–270/ton (week of 3/18)
Keosauqua, IA — Large rounds $20–55/bale, large squares $45–65/bale (week of 3/14)
Kalona, IA — Large rounds up to $65/bale, large squares $15–90/bale (week of 3/12)
The Dyersville number is the one to watch. $250–270/ton for dairy-quality squares in east Iowa while Rock Valley good alfalfa is $129/ton in northwest Iowa. Same state. Same week. $120+ difference depending on where you are and what quality you're moving.
🗺️ NATIONAL SNAPSHOT — Where Hay Is Most Expensive
Wolgemuth, PA — Alfalfa/Grass Mix Supreme: $457/ton
Wolgemuth, PA — Grass Premium: $430/ton
Wolgemuth, PA — Orchard Grass Premium: $410/ton
Shipshewana, IN — Alfalfa Good: $229/ton
Topeka, IN — Alfalfa Good: $227/ton
Pennsylvania continues to be its own universe. $457/ton for supreme alfalfa/grass mix — nearly 4x what the Midwest pays. Eastern seaboard horse country drives those prices and they don't come down.
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