A University of Wisconsin Extension specialist says even with first crop hay looking good, prices and demand in the hay market remain steady.

Richard Halopka tells Brownfield prime hay with a relative feed value over 151 and Grade 1 hay between 125 and 150 relative feed value is still in demand. “We’re running about a buck, buck-and-a-quarter per point of relative feed value.”

Large square bales of prime hay are averaging $221 a ton, with Grade 1 hay averaging $158 a ton. 

Halopka says the lower grades are steady on price, but farmers are not buying it now.  He says many farmers are wrapping up harvest on a good first crop, which might start to affect the markets if demand drops.

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