THE 30-SECOND VERSION
Missouri supreme alfalfa jumped $113/ton in one week — from $162 to $275/ton. That's not a typo. Missouri is the bellwether between Midwest and Eastern prices, and when it moves like this, Midwest markets usually follow within 2–3 weeks.
Meanwhile, the Midwest core is holding steady: Rock Valley IA at $134/ton, Pipestone MN at $118/ton, Dakota SD at $119/ton. If you've been waiting to buy, that window may be closing faster than expected.
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🌽 MIDWEST AUCTION PRICES
What hay actually sold for at auction this week:
⭐ Rock Valley, IA — HayWire Data Partner
(Thursday)
• Alfalfa Fair/Good — Large Round: $115–$135/ton (avg $124)
• Alfalfa Good/Premium — Large Round: $140–$153/ton (avg $148)
• Alfalfa Premium/Supreme — Large Round: $168–$188/ton
• Grass Fair/Good — Large Round: $110–$130/ton (avg $120)
• Grass Good/Premium — Large Round: $140–$160/ton (avg $151)
(Monday)
• Alfalfa Fair/Good — Large Round: $122/ton
• Grass Fair/Good — Large Round: $115–$134/ton (avg $124)
Pipestone, MN
• Alfalfa Good — Large Round: $115–$140/ton (avg $123)
• Alfalfa Fair — Large Round: $65–$105/ton (avg $80)
• Grass Good — Large Round: $150/ton
• Grass Fair — Large Round: $50–$100/ton (avg $75)
Dakota, SD
• Alfalfa Good — Large Round: $113–$163/ton (avg $134)
• Alfalfa Fair — Large Round: $90–$115/ton (avg $99)
• Grass Good — Large Round: $145–$180/ton (avg $165)
HPL Auction, IA
• Alfalfa Good — Large Round: $70–$95/ton (avg $84)
• Alfalfa Fair — Large Round: $45–$110/ton (avg $73)
📊 ALFALFA GOOD — LARGE ROUND BENCHMARK
The most comparable data point across markets. How your region stacks up:
Region | Avg $/Ton |
|---|---|
Madison County, IL | $38 |
Iowa (general) | $55 |
Arthur, IL | $60 |
Nebraska - Central | $83 |
HPL Auction, IA | $84 |
Nebraska - Platte Valley | $88 |
Nebraska - East | $101 |
Pipestone, MN | $118 |
Dakota, SD | $119 |
⭐ Rock Valley, IA (Data Partner) | $134 |
Montana | $150 |
Missouri | $162 |
Oklahoma - Northeast | $181 |
Shipshewana, IN | $239 |
Topeka, IN | $241 |
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🗺️ NATIONAL SNAPSHOT
Highest prices recorded this week:
Region | Commodity | Quality | $/Ton |
|---|---|---|---|
Wolgemuth, PA | Grass | Premium | $500 |
Wolgemuth, PA | Alfalfa/Grass Mix | Supreme | $490 |
Shipshewana, IN | Alfalfa/Grass Mix | Premium | $380 |
Topeka, IN | Alfalfa/Grass Mix | Premium | $320 |
Oregon | Grass | Premium | $300 |
💡 THIS WEEK'S INSIGHT
Missouri supreme alfalfa hit $275/ton this week — up from $162/ton last week. That's a $113/ton jump in 7 days.
Missouri sits between Midwest and Eastern markets. It typically moves before Iowa and South Dakota do. When Missouri prices spike, it usually means Eastern buyers are reaching deeper into the Midwest for supply — and Midwest sellers should take notice.
⭐ Rock Valley Hay Auction — our data partner in northwest Iowa — is holding steady at $134/ton for fair/good alfalfa this week. Levi at Rock Valley tells us spring demand is strong and buyers are coming from farther away than usual. That kind of demand pressure, combined with Missouri's spike, points to tightening supply ahead.
Rock Valley and Pipestone MN remain the best value in the Midwest right now. But if Missouri holds above $250, expect upward pressure on Midwest prices within 2–3 weeks.
If you're buying: The Midwest window is still open — but Missouri is flashing a warning sign.
If you're selling: Don't be in a hurry to discount. The market may be moving your way.
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🌾 HAVE HAY TO SELL?
List it free at haywireag.com/listings (http://haywireag.com/listings) — your hay in front of buyers across the Midwest. No commission. No fees. Takes 2 minutes.
3 listings live now — Fair Alfalfa in Avon SD ($110/ton), Premium Alfalfa/Orchard Grass in Mission Hill SD ($210/ton), and Limestone Prairie Hay in Chanute KS ($95/ton).
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P.S. — Reply and tell me: are you a buyer, seller, or just tracking prices? One line is fine. Helps me make this more useful for you.
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HayWire — USDA auction data, made readable. 3,286 records from 72 regions this week.