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The Wire.
One free email every Tuesday morning: the national index, the week's verified USDA auction trades from about 22 markets, what moved and where, and the prices readers report from private sales. Every issue is below, newest first, free to read.
Longer reads in Briefs · Pro adds the Friday Pulse and The Call
Issue #35
Alfalfa climbs 14.8%, lifting the national index
October 20, 2026
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Issue #34
Mixed Grass jumps 13.5%, the week's biggest move
October 13, 2026
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Issue #33
Alfalfa slips to $156/ton as better hay holds
October 6, 2026
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Issue #32
Dakota, SD alfalfa slides $21 to $220/ton
September 29, 2026
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Issue #31
Dakota up $11/ton to $241 on heavier volume
September 22, 2026
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Issue #30
Good alfalfa slips $8 to $184 as index ticks up
September 15, 2026
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Issue #29
Dakota SD jumps 10% while benchmark holds
September 8, 2026
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Issue #28
Benchmark up $6.91 to $185.74, sellers gain
September 1, 2026
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Issue #27
Benchmark falls to $170.37, buyers gain
August 25, 2026
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Issue #26
Benchmark eases to $176.18, buyers get a breather
August 18, 2026
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Issue #25
Benchmark up 4.4% to $193.45, favoring sellers
August 11, 2026
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Issue #23
Benchmark eases to $174.44, but regions run hot
August 4, 2026
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Issue #22
Montana grass hit $300 while Idaho's best alfalfa brought $250
July 28, 2026
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Issue #21
Benchmark jumps 9.5% to $167.01
July 21, 2026
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Issue #20
Issue 20
July 14, 2026
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Issue #19
Benchmark drops $30.03 to $139.88
July 7, 2026
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Issue #18
Steady Week. Dakota Still Holds the High
Week of June 30, 2026
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Issue #17
Cheaper Freight, Steady Cattle, Tighter Hay
Week of June 23, 2026
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Issue #16
A $125/ton gap on the same grade of hay
Week of June 16, 2026
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Issue #15
The Grade Gap: $500 Hay and $75 Hay, Same Week
Week of June 9, 2026
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Issue #14
The West Is Running Dry, and Plains Supply Is Tightening With It
Week of June 2, 2026
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Issue #14
The Market Is Moving Before the Hay Is Cut
Week of May 26, 2026
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Issue #13
Why Your Hay Is Worth $108 or $273
Week of May 19, 2026
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Issue #12
$50 vs $483: Same Country, Different Reality
Week of May 12, 2026
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Issue #10
Wyoming sold out, Rock Valley $222/ton
Week of April 27, 2026 / 751 records / 62 markets
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Issue #9
Dakota SD +$50/ton, Rock Valley IA data partner
Week of April 20, 2026 / 681 records / 55 markets
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Issue #8
2,617 records, 69 regions, Dakota SD $115/ton
Week of April 13, 2026 / 617 records / 69 markets
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Issue #7
Rock Valley IA $134/ton, Pipestone MN $107/ton
Week of April 6, 2026 / 331 records / 69 markets
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Issue #6
Iowa community prices, trend arrows
Week of March 30, 2026 / 928 records / 69 markets
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Issue #5
From the Field launch, 69 USDA hay markets
Week of March 23, 2026 / 1674 records / 69 markets
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Issue #4
Missouri spotlight, $425 spread, 69 USDA markets
Week of March 16, 2026 / 1524 records / 69 markets
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Issue #3
NASS private sale prices added, 56 USDA markets
Week of March 9, 2026 / 606 records / 56 markets
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Issue #2
Rock Valley IA, Pipestone MN, USDA auction results
Week of March 2, 2026 / 181 records / 68 markets
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Issue #1
Midwest alfalfa prices, USDA auction data
Week of February 23, 2026 / 1109 records / 68 markets
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