Hay Prices

[DRAFTSTUD]

As most know Texas and parts of the South have seen Drought conditions and I was curious what you are paying for Hay in your part of the country. A square Bale is going for 6-10 dollars. A round Bale here in NW Louisiana can be found for 65-85 dollars.
I bought 12 of the Large round Bales yesterday for $45 a bale, but that was from an old friend. He said that the square bale equivalent was 35 square bales per Round Bale. That sounds kinda on the high side, but I'm just glad I did'nt have to load and unload 400 Square Bales @ $8.00 each! PS: Anyone want some Horse Chit in March?????? John

 

[lbirch]

We've been paying $11 per for three string bales.

 

[Wyodeerhunter]

Price per bale? Must be a southern/southeast thing. In the west its by the ton. 145 a ton for cert. Alfalfa.

 

[Goldtip]

Round bales will usually weigh between 1500-1800lbs, so if he's comparing 35 square bales to a round bale even at 1800lbs, them are some damn small square bales. Most pasture grass bales I've been around are 3 strands and will go about 22-24 to a ton. But if you got the 12 round bales for $45, and they are around even 1500lbs, then you got a good deal.

 

[Ben Lamb]

Price per bale? Must be a southern/southeast thing. In the west its by the ton. 145 a ton for cert. Alfalfa.

That's what I'm hearing for hay that's still in the field. Somewhere north of $250/ton once it gets on the truck and headed to Texas.

 

[Wyodeerhunter]

That's what I'm hearing for hay that's still in the field. Somewhere north of $250/ton once it gets on the truck and headed to Texas.

Yeah we buy anywhere from 50-100 semi loads a year from one guy. Every year it gets more tempting for him to sell it all to Texans. I imagine once his sons take over it will all head south.

 

[Ben Lamb]

One more year of drought, and there won't be man producers in texas to buy it.

 

[Southwind]

Prairie hay at bail price is $70-$100 per round bail. The only tonnage price I have seen is $170./tn

 

[noharleyyet]

One more year of drought, and there won't be man producers in texas to buy it.

Pretty accurate Ben. Mucho pasture damage also.

 

[Oak]

Alfalfa is $180-$200/ton here.

 

[Lawnboy]

You got a great deal Draftstud. I wish I could get it for that price.

 

[Dinkshooter]

2 weeks ago $5.50 a bale picked up from the stack.

 

[dan.kirkpatrick]

wow, I must have got a deal on my hay this year at $110 per ton out of field,,,basic local grass hay. up here in oregon.

 

[idnative1948]

Perhaps I read it too fast. Is that for grass or alfalfa?
My BIL makes a killing every year on 20 acres of grass hay. Some guys call and say, I'll take it all!, other want him to save them 20-30 bales. His comment is show me the money and I will store it covered. That is only good for 24 hours then he calls the next guy in line. Always gets calls dead of winter. Duh, do you still have hay?
Him and sis usually have a nice vaca in Hawaii every year on it.

 

[DRAFTSTUD]

I know the man that watches over the Arkansas farm gets 300 square bales per cutting in 2 pastures, but it was just cow hay. Plus I am not stacking square bales to the rafters like he does, I would be in a body cast! With so many selling off cattle because of no hay the prices should go way up later this year and Horses.....just show up with a lead rope. John

 

[6speed]

Alfalfa is $140 a ton here Grass is a little less.

 

[noharleyyet]

My partner paid 300/ton for alfalfa from south Dakota from a rancher who wanted to split a truck..

 

[2rocky]

This Weeks Hay Report in California. Prices per ton...

Region 2:
Includes the counties of: Tehama, Glenn, Butte, Colusa, Sutter, Yuba, Sierra,
Nevada, Placer, Yolo, El Dorado, Solano, Sacramento, Amador, and Alpine. All
prices reported FOB the stack or barn unless otherwise noted.

Tons Price Range Wtd Avg Comments
Alfalfa
Supreme 650 275.00-280.00 276.73
Premium 425 250.00-265.00 260.29
50 220.00-220.00 220.00 Excessive Moisture
Good/Premium 700 230.00-240.00 231.43
Good 500 230.00-230.00 230.00
300 235.00-235.00 235.00 Export
50 220.00-220.00 220.00 Weedy
Fair 350 200.00-200.00 200.00
Alfalfa/Orchard Mix
Premium 50 240.00-240.00 240.00
Orchard Grass
Premium 100 230.00-230.00 230.00
Oat Hay
Premium 25 180.00-180.00 180.00
Wheat Straw
Premium 450 85.00-92.00 88.89
Good 400 71.00-71.00 71.00

 

[MThuntr]

I bought a bunch of last year's Certified Weed Free hay for $5.50/small bale...traded it for a side of beef. I believe Certified Weed Free is running about $10/square locally. Grass hay is about $60/ton. Good grass/alfalfa mix is $75-80/ton. The good alfalfa is about $110-120/ton. These do not include delivery.

I'd expect that the rates will quickly go up in the next month or so.