Price Trends / Feb–May 2026
How hay prices have
moved since February.
Week-by-week auction prices across five key US markets — pulled directly from USDA AMS reports every Monday since February 2026.
Source: USDA AMS Livestock & Grain Market News · Through May 25, 2026 · 4,700+ price records · Alfalfa unless noted · All prices /ton
Rock Valley, IA
+48%
$101 → $148 /ton
Colorado
+88%
$193 → $363 /ton
Wolgemuth, PA
+22%
$268 → $326 /ton
Dakota, SD
+63%
$118 → $193 /ton
Pipestone, MN
+46%
$90 → $131 /ton
Rock Valley, IA
Midwest Auction · Data Partner
$148
Latest /ton
+48%
Since Feb
Colorado
Drought Zone · Western Markets
$363
Latest /ton
+88%
Since Feb
Wolgemuth, PA
Eastern Premium · Dairy
$326
Latest /ton
+22%
Since Feb
Dakota, SD
Northern Plains
$193
Latest /ton
+63%
Since Feb
Pipestone, MN
Upper Midwest
$131
Latest /ton
+46%
Since Feb
What the trends tell you
Every major market is up since February. The West is up most.
Since HayWire launched tracking in late February 2026, alfalfa prices have risen in every market shown here. Colorado leads at +88%. Dakota is up 63%, Rock Valley is up 48%, Pipestone is up 46%, and Wolgemuth is up 22%.
The trend is consistent: tightening supply, stable-to-growing demand, and drought premium building in western markets. First cutting data — arriving in the next 2–3 weeks — will be the first real test of whether this trend continues or reverses.
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