Week of March 02, 2026 · 1524 price records · 69 regions
THE 30-SECOND VERSION
Midwest alfalfa held steady this week — Good rounds trading $105–$140/ton in MN and IA, with the East (Indiana, Pennsylvania) running 2–3x those prices. If you're buying in the Midwest right now, you're getting one of the better deals in the country.
🌽 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: $65–$95/ton (avg **$81**)
Alfalfa *Good* — Large Round: **$105/ton**
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**)
Alfalfa/Grass Mix *Fair* — Large Round: $70–$75/ton (avg **$72**)
Alfalfa/Grass Mix *Fair* — Large Round: **$4/ton**
Rock Valley, IA (Thu)
Alfalfa *Fair/Good* — Large Round: **$120/ton**
Alfalfa *Fair/Good* — Large Round: **$125/ton**
Alfalfa *Fair/Good* — Large Round: $118–$125/ton (avg **$121**)
Alfalfa *Fair/Good* — Large Round: **$115/ton**
Alfalfa *Fair/Good* — Large Round: **$122/ton**
Alfalfa *Good/Premium* — Large Round: **$140/ton**
Alfalfa *Good/Premium* — Large Round: **$140/ton**
Alfalfa *Utility* — Large Round: $75–$80/ton (avg **$78**)
Rock Valley, IA (Mon)
Alfalfa *Fair/Good* — Large Round: **$122/ton**
Alfalfa *Utility* — Large Round: $78–$82/ton (avg **$80**)
Alfalfa *Utility* — Large Round: $75–$90/ton (avg **$85**)
Alfalfa *Utility* — Large Round: **$85/ton**
Alfalfa *Utility* — Large Square 3x4: **$65/ton**
Alfalfa *Utility/Fair* — Large Round: **$120/ton**
Alfalfa/Grass Mix *Utility* — Large Round: **$65/ton**
Grass *Fair/Good* — Large Round: $115–$134/ton (avg **$124**)
HPL Auction, IA
Alfalfa *Fair* — Small Square: $4–$4/ton (avg **$4**)
Alfalfa *Fair* — Small Square: **$4/ton**
Alfalfa *Fair* — Small Square: **$4/ton**
Alfalfa *Fair* — Small Square: **$6/ton**
Alfalfa *Fair/Good* — Large Round: **$102/ton**
Alfalfa *Fair/Good* — Large Round: **$95/ton**
Alfalfa *Fair/Good* — Large Round: $100–$105/ton (avg **$102**)
Alfalfa *Utility* — Large Round: $45–$60/ton (avg **$50**)
Dakota, SD
Alfalfa *Fair* — Large Round: $90–$100/ton (avg **$94**)
Alfalfa *Fair* — Large Square 3x4: **$90/ton**
Alfalfa *Good* — Large Round: $100–$135/ton (avg **$118**)
Alfalfa *Good* — Large Round: $108–$142/ton (avg **$120**)
Alfalfa *Utility* — Large Round: **$50/ton**
Grass *Fair* — Large Round: $68–$100/ton (avg **$82**)
Grass *Fair* — Large Round: $75–$110/ton (avg **$89**)
Grass *Good* — Large Round: $95–$125/ton (avg **$112**)
📊 ALFALFA GOOD — LARGE ROUND BENCHMARK
The most comparable data point across markets. Use this to know if your region is cheap or expensive.
| Region | Avg Price/Ton |
|---|---|
| Madison County, IL | $28 |
| Iowa | $55 |
| Arthur, IL | $59 |
| Oklahoma - Northwest | $60 |
| Nebraska - Central | $74 |
| Nebraska - East | $80 |
| Nebraska - Platte Valley | $85 |
| Kansas | $87 |
| HPL Auction, IA | $102 |
| Kansas - Northwest | $106 |
| Pipestone, MN | $108 |
| Dakota, SD | $119 |
| Rock Valley, IA (Mon) | $122 |
| Rock Valley, IA (Thu) | $126 |
| Kansas - Southeast | $130 |
| South Dakota | $130 |
| Kansas - Southwest | $142 |
| Missouri | $162 |
| Oklahoma - Northeast | $187 |
| Shipshewana, IN | $228 |
| Topeka, IN | $229 |
🗺️ NATIONAL SNAPSHOT
Where hay is most expensive this week:
| Region | Commodity | Quality | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wolgemuth, PA (Mon) | Alfalfa/Grass Mix | Supreme | $421/ton |
| Wolgemuth, PA (Mon) | Orchard Grass | Premium | $410/ton |
| Wolgemuth, PA (Mon) | Grass | Premium | $405/ton |
| Wolgemuth, PA (Mon) | Alfalfa/Grass Mix | Premium | $400/ton |
| Wolgemuth, PA (Mon) | Alfalfa | Supreme | $400/ton |
💡 THE TAKEAWAY
The East-to-Midwest price gap is real and wide. Pennsylvania orchard grass is clearing $410/ton while Iowa utilities are moving at $50. That gap is pure arbitrage opportunity for anyone with a truck — or a reason to grow more grass in the Midwest.
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HayWire — USDA auction data, made readable. 1524 records from 69 regions this week.
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