§01
May 19, 2026
Market
Colorado timothy hit $483/ton this week — a number that would have seemed impossible six months ago. California premium alfalfa is trading at $429/ton. Meanwhile, Rock Valley, Iowa is still clearing loads at $135–224/ton. The $259 gap between those two markets is the entire story of the 2026 hay market: the West is in crisis mode, and the Midwest hasn't caught up yet.
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§02
April 28, 2026
Forecast
Missouri supreme alfalfa jumped $113/ton in a single week. Dakota SD good alfalfa moved $50/ton. Rock Valley buyers are now driving further distances than they were six months ago. The Midwest is quietly becoming the western backstop — and most buyers haven't priced that in yet.
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§03
May 22, 2026
Drought
Drought has now hit 57% of US hay acres. First cutting is light across Texas and Oklahoma. Montana has sold through its 2025 carryover. And China is back in the export market — joined by elevated volumes from Japan and Korea. At the same auction on the same day, Utility hay traded at $108/ton while Supreme went for $273. That $165 quality spread is your signal.
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