Hay prices in the US vary more than almost any other farm input — a $90 round bale in Kentucky may be a bargain, while the same price in western Oregon would be reasonable for alfalfa. Regional supply, drought conditions, transportation costs, and local demand all drive significant variation. This guide gives you realistic 2025 price ranges by region and explains how to evaluate whether a local price is fair.

2025 market note: Hay prices across most regions are moderately elevated compared to 2022–2023 averages, following drought-reduced production in key western growing regions in 2023–2024. Midwest and mid-Atlantic grass hay markets have stabilized; western alfalfa remains at a premium in many areas.

How to Compare Prices Fairly

Before looking at regional ranges, understand the only meaningful comparison metric: price per 100 pounds of hay. A $7 small square bale at 40 lbs = $17.50 per 100 lbs. A $95 round bale at 1,050 lbs = $9.05 per 100 lbs. Comparing sticker prices per bale across different formats is meaningless — always convert to price per 100 lbs.

Formula: (Price ÷ Weight in lbs) × 100 = $ per 100 lbs

Price Ranges by Region — 2025

Northeast (Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey)

Hay TypeSmall Square (40–60 lbs)Round Bale (800–1,100 lbs)Per 100 lbs (round)
Grass (1st cut)$7–$13$75–$125$8–$14
Grass (2nd cut)$10–$18$95–$155$10–$17
Alfalfa / mixed$14–$24$130–$200$14–$22
Timothy (horse quality)$12–$22$110–$185$12–$20

The Northeast has shorter growing seasons, fewer cuttings per year, and significant transport costs from larger hay-producing regions. First-cutting grass hay is relatively available at competitive prices; quality timothy and alfalfa command a meaningful premium. Vermont, upstate New York, and Pennsylvania have active local hay markets with multiple small producers — prices at farm direct are often 15–25% below feed-store pricing.

Mid-Atlantic (Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, Delaware, DC metro)

Hay TypeSmall Square (40–60 lbs)Round Bale (800–1,100 lbs)Per 100 lbs (round)
Orchard grass (1st cut)$7–$12$70–$115$7–$13
Orchard grass (2nd cut)$10–$17$90–$145$10–$16
Mixed grass-alfalfa$11–$19$100–$165$11–$18
Alfalfa$14–$22$125–$195$14–$21

The mid-Atlantic — particularly the Shenandoah Valley and Virginia Piedmont — is one of the better small-farm hay markets in the country. Orchard grass thrives here, local production is significant, and the horse market creates good supply diversity. The Shenandoah Valley is a major hay-producing corridor; prices at the farm are typically lower than in suburban Maryland and Northern Virginia where buyers compete for limited local supply.

Midwest — Upper (Ohio, Indiana, Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Illinois, Iowa)

Hay TypeSmall Square (40–60 lbs)Round Bale (800–1,100 lbs)Per 100 lbs (round)
Grass / brome mix (1st cut)$5–$10$55–$100$6–$11
Grass mix (2nd cut)$8–$14$75–$130$8–$14
Alfalfa$12–$20$110–$185$12–$20
Mixed grass-alfalfa$9–$16$85–$150$9–$16

The upper Midwest is generally one of the more affordable hay markets in the US for grass and mixed hay, due to high production volumes and significant corn belt acreage that transitions to hay during commodity price cycles. Wisconsin and Minnesota have particularly strong alfalfa production. Prices are lowest in agricultural-heavy counties and highest near urban fringe areas where farm density is lower.

Midwest — Central / Plains (Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska, South Dakota, North Dakota, Iowa)

Hay TypeSmall Square (40–60 lbs)Round Bale (800–1,100 lbs)Per 100 lbs (round)
Native / mixed grass$4–$9$45–$90$5–$10
Brome / grass mix$5–$10$55–$100$6–$11
Alfalfa$11–$19$100–$175$11–$19

The central Plains states have some of the lowest grass hay prices in the country when drought years don't intervene. Native grass hay — big bluestem, switchgrass, mixed prairie species — is unique to this region and nutritionally appropriate for beef cattle. Kansas and Nebraska are significant alfalfa producers. Drought years in this region have historically caused significant price spikes — 2022 and 2023 saw prices 30–50% above normal in drought-affected areas.

Southeast (Kentucky, Tennessee, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, Arkansas, Louisiana)

Hay TypeSmall Square (40–60 lbs)Round Bale (800–1,100 lbs)Per 100 lbs (round)
Bermudagrass (1st cut)$5–$10$55–$105$6–$11
Bermudagrass (2nd–3rd cut)$7–$13$70–$130$8–$14
Mixed grass (fescue-based)$5–$11$55–$110$6–$12
Orchard grass$8–$15$80–$145$9–$16
Alfalfa (mostly imported)$14–$24$130–$210$14–$23

Kentucky, Tennessee, and the mid-South have strong grass hay production — particularly bermudagrass and fescue for beef cattle. Kentucky also has a significant horse-quality orchard grass and mixed hay market driven by the horse industry. Alfalfa is mostly imported from the West and commands a significant premium throughout the Southeast. Be aware of endophyte-infected fescue in this region — ask about fescue content and endophyte status, particularly for horses and breeding stock.

West (California, Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Colorado, Utah, Nevada, Arizona)

Hay TypeSmall Square (40–60 lbs)Round Bale (800–1,100 lbs)Per 100 lbs (round)
Grass hay (orchard, timothy)$10–$22$100–$220$11–$24
Alfalfa (premium)$16–$30$150–$280$17–$30
Alfalfa-grass mix$13–$24$120–$240$13–$26
Orchard grass (PNW)$12–$22$110–$210$12–$23

The western US — particularly California, Oregon's Willamette Valley, Washington, and Idaho — produces some of the highest-quality hay in the country, especially premium timothy and alfalfa exported to horse markets nationally and internationally (Japan and South Korea import significant volumes of US timothy and alfalfa). Prices are consistently higher than other regions, reflecting production costs, irrigation requirements, and export demand. Drought years in California and the Southwest can drive western hay prices up 40–70% above normal, with ripple effects across the country.

What Drives Price Variation Within a Region

Related Buying Guides

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is hay so expensive right now?
Hay prices reflect a combination of production costs (fuel, fertilizer, equipment), drought-reduced yields in key growing regions, and demand from both domestic livestock operations and export markets. The 2022–2024 period saw elevated input costs across agriculture, and western drought conditions reduced production in several major alfalfa-growing states. Prices in most regions are moderating in 2025 but remain above pre-2022 averages in some areas.
How do I find hay prices in my specific county?
The best sources for current local prices are: (1) your county cooperative extension office — they often track local hay prices and can tell you what's typical for your area; (2) local Facebook farm groups or agricultural classified listings; (3) your local farm bureau; (4) the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service publishes weekly hay market reports at ams.usda.gov that include regional price data. Calling 2–3 local hay producers and asking their current price is the most direct method.
Is it worth driving 2 hours to save money on hay?
Run the math. If you're saving $15 per bale and buying 100 bales, that's $1,500 in savings. Factor in fuel (round trip mileage × your truck's mpg × current fuel price), your time, and whether your trailer can haul enough per trip to make it worthwhile. For large purchases, a 2-hour drive for significant per-bale savings often pencils out. For 20 bales, probably not. The savings threshold also depends on whether you're comparing equivalent quality — cheaper distant hay isn't a deal if the quality is lower than local hay at a higher price.
Disclaimer: Price ranges are estimates based on 2025 regional market data and represent typical farm-direct price ranges. Actual prices vary significantly by specific location, hay quality, season, and market conditions. Always obtain current local quotes before purchasing.