Iowa Hay Prices
Iowa hay is averaging $156/ton across 137 exact USDA auction trades over the 60 days to the latest report (Oct 22, 2026). Prices range $50–$280/ton depending on commodity and quality.
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Iowa hay prices by type
| Commodity | Quality | Low $/ton | High $/ton | Avg $/ton | Obs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alfalfa | Premium/Supreme | $190 | $253 | $222 | 20 |
| Grass | Good/Premium | $160 | $207 | $180 | 12 |
| Alfalfa | Good/Premium | $161 | $182 | $171 | 10 |
| Grass | Fair/Good | $137 | $170 | $153 | 10 |
| Alfalfa/Grass Mix | Fair/Good | $145 | $162 | $154 | 9 |
| Grass | Premium | $190 | $259 | $213 | 9 |
| Grass | Utility/Fair | $110 | $153 | $129 | 9 |
| Alfalfa | Fair/Good | $142 | $163 | $152 | 8 |
| Alfalfa/Grass Mix | Utility/Fair | $115 | $150 | $135 | 7 |
| Grass | Utility | $75 | $120 | $99 | 7 |
| Alfalfa/Grass Mix | Premium | $150 | $280 | $243 | 6 |
| Alfalfa/Grass Mix | Premium/Supreme | $195 | $230 | $208 | 5 |
| Alfalfa | Supreme | $237 | $240 | $238 | 4 |
| Prairie/Meadow Grass | Utility/Fair | $120 | $163 | $136 | 4 |
| Alfalfa | Utility | $50 | $122 | $81 | 3 |
| Alfalfa | Utility/Fair | $118 | $148 | $134 | 3 |
| Alfalfa/Grass Mix | Good/Premium | $170 | $195 | $180 | 3 |
| Prairie/Meadow Grass | Utility | $50 | $62 | $56 | 3 |
| Alfalfa/Grass Mix | Supreme | $242 | $242 | $242 | 1 |
| Alfalfa/Grass Mix | Utility | $70 | $70 | $70 | 1 |
| Grass | Good | $116 | $116 | $116 | 1 |
| Prairie/Meadow Grass | Fair | $142 | $142 | $142 | 1 |
| Prairie/Meadow Grass | Fair/Good | $140 | $140 | $140 | 1 |
Iowa hay price trend
Weekly average $/ton by hay type, exact USDA auction trades, last 26 weeks. Each point is a week that type reported.
- Alfalfa (Premium/Supreme)
- Alfalfa (Good/Premium)
- Alfalfa (Fair/Good)
Iowa hay prices by region and auction
| Region / Auction | Low $/ton | High $/ton | Avg $/ton | Obs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| RockValley IA Thu | $50 | $259 | $166 | 114 |
| RockValley IA Mon | $118 | $228 | $169 | 15 |
| Iowa | $116 | $280 | $227 | 8 |
Nearby markets reporting now
States bordering Iowa with exact trades in recent reports.
| State | Avg $/ton | Trades | Latest report |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minnesota | $116 | 55 | Oct 27, 2026 |
| South Dakota | $190 | 56 | Oct 26, 2026 |
| Nebraska | $202 | 50 | Oct 19, 2026 |
Every state HayWire tracks: hay prices by state. Buying by the bale: hay prices per bale. Reading the table: what the hay grades mean.
What Iowa readers paid
Reported to HayWire directly, outside the USDA index. Not verified trades; the private market USDA does not publish.
- Malvern, IA — Alfalfa: $190/ton · reader-reported, Oct 6, 2026
- Mills County, Glenwood, IA — Cow hay, grass or alfalfa: $165/ton · reader-reported, Aug 18, 2026
- IA — Alfalfa/Grass Mix: $7-7.5/bale (small square (~50.0lb)) · reader-reported, Aug 3, 2026
- IA — Grass: $3-6/bale (small square (~50.0lb)) · reader-reported, Aug 3, 2026
- IA — Alfalfa/Grass Mix: $75/bale (5x6 round (~1700.0lb)) · reader-reported, Aug 3, 2026
- IA — Grass: $30-60/bale (5x6 round (~1700.0lb)) · reader-reported, Aug 3, 2026
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FAQ
How much does hay cost per ton in Iowa right now?
Iowa Alfalfa (Premium/Supreme) is averaging $222/ton in the latest USDA auction reports, with prices ranging $190–$253/ton.
How often are Iowa hay prices updated?
HayWire publishes Iowa hay prices every week using USDA Agricultural Marketing Service auction reports. Data refreshes Mondays.
Where can I buy hay in Iowa?
Check the Iowa USDA auction averages and price trend on this page before you buy, so you know what a fair price is and can benchmark any seller's quote against the live market.