Week of April 20, 2026 · 681 price records · 55 regions
Published every Tuesday 6am CT · Data source: USDA AMS
The Eastern Wall Is Moving West
Three weeks ago Missouri supreme alfalfa jumped $113/ton in a single week. We called it a signal — Eastern buyers reaching into Midwest supply.
This week the data confirmed it.
Dakota SD good alfalfa: $167/ton. That's up roughly $50/ton from last week's $117. Same pattern, different state. The pressure that hit Missouri first is now showing up in the Northern Plains.
Our partner at Rock Valley Hay Auction in Iowa saw it on the ground Monday: grass in much higher demand, buyers coming from further distances, prices up across all quality grades.
When buyers travel further to fill their trucks, it means local supply is tightening. When that happens in Iowa, it usually means Nebraska and Minnesota are next.
If you're buying hay in the next 30 days, the window to buy at current prices may be closing.
This Week's Prices
Midwest Benchmark
| Market | Hay Type | Quality | Avg Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rock Valley, IA | Alfalfa | Fair/Good | $122–$138/ton |
| Rock Valley, IA | Grass | Fair/Good | $124–$130/ton ↑ |
| Pipestone, MN | Alfalfa | Good | $118/ton |
| Pipestone, MN | Alfalfa | Fair | $85/ton |
| Dakota, SD | Alfalfa | Good | $167/ton ↑↑ |
| Dakota, SD | Grass | Good | $170/ton |
| Missouri | Alfalfa | Supreme | $275/ton |
| Missouri | Alfalfa | Good | $163/ton |
East Coast (Premium Market)
| Market | Hay Type | Quality | Avg Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shipshewana, IN | Alfalfa/Grass Mix | Premium | $327/ton |
| Wolgemuth, PA | Alfalfa | Premium | $331/ton |
| Wolgemuth, PA | Alfalfa/Grass Mix | Premium | $362/ton |
Plains & West
| Market | Hay Type | Quality | Avg Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kansas | Alfalfa | Fair/Good | $90–$135/ton |
| Kansas NE | Alfalfa | Premium/Supreme | $210–$223/ton |
| Colorado | Alfalfa | Premium | varies |
| Arizona | Alfalfa | Premium/Supreme | $270–$310/ton |
Regional Spotlight — Dakota SD
Dakota SD is this week's number to watch. Good alfalfa averaging $167/ton — up from roughly $117 last week. That's a $50/ton move in 7 days.
For context: Pipestone MN (200 miles east) is still at $118/ton for the same quality. That spread won't hold. Either Pipestone moves up or Dakota pulls back. Given Missouri held at $275 for a second straight week, the direction of pressure is clear.
If you're in the Northern Plains and you're buying, the data says sooner rather than later.
From the Field
Rock Valley Hay Auction, IA — Monday April 21
Levi Rus, Rock Valley Hay Auction: "Grass is in much higher demand this week. Strong buying crowd with buyers coming from further distances. All quality grades up."
This is what USDA data looks like before it hits the reports — boots on the ground at the auction ring. When your own partner auction is seeing buyers travel further to fill trucks, that's the clearest signal you can get.
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Quick Hits
HayWire pulls every USDA AMS hay auction report every Monday. 681 price records this week across 55 markets.
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