Virginia has one of the most diverse small-farm hay markets on the East Coast. The Shenandoah Valley — running from Winchester south to Roanoke — is a major orchard grass and mixed hay production corridor that supplies farms throughout the mid-Atlantic. The Northern Virginia and Richmond metro areas have high demand from horse farms with limited local production. Understanding where the hay comes from and where the good buying happens is the key to getting quality hay at reasonable prices in Virginia.
Common Hay Types in Virginia
- Orchard grass: The dominant high-quality hay in Virginia, particularly from the Shenandoah Valley and the Piedmont. Well-managed orchard grass is excellent for horses and all livestock — leafy, palatable, and consistently nutritious.
- Mixed grass-clover: Very common across all regions. Many Virginia hay fields are naturalized mixes of orchard grass, bluegrass, fescue, and various clovers. Quality varies with field management, but well-managed mixed hay is broadly appropriate for most farm animals.
- Tall fescue: Present in Virginia hay, particularly in the Piedmont and southwestern regions. The same endophyte warnings that apply in Kentucky apply here — ask about fescue content for hay fed to horses and pregnant livestock.
- Alfalfa / orchard-alfalfa mix: Grown in the Shenandoah Valley and some Piedmont locations. Available but not as abundant as pure grass hay. Mixed orchard-alfalfa is popular for horse operations wanting more protein without pure alfalfa.
- Timothy: Less common in Virginia than orchard grass but available from farms catering to the horse market. Typically carries a premium.
2025 Hay Prices in Virginia
| Hay Type | Small Square (per bale) | Round Bale (per bale) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mixed grass (1st cut) | $6–$11 | $65–$105 | Lower in agricultural counties; higher near NoVA/DC |
| Orchard grass (1st cut) | $8–$14 | $80–$125 | Shenandoah Valley = best source; competitive pricing |
| Orchard grass (2nd cut) | $11–$18 | $100–$155 | High demand from horse market drives premium |
| Orchard-alfalfa mix | $12–$20 | $110–$175 | Widely available in the Valley |
| Alfalfa | $15–$24 | $135–$210 | Available but commands significant premium |
The Shenandoah Valley is the best buying region in Virginia for price and quality. Farms in Rockingham, Augusta, and Shenandoah counties are productive and competitive. Buyers in Northern Virginia, the Richmond suburbs, and Hampton Roads often pay 20–35% more for the same hay due to transport costs and lower local production density.
Finding Local Hay in Virginia
- Virginia Cooperative Extension: Each county has an extension office that can refer you to local hay producers. The Virginia Tech extension program is particularly active in supporting small farm hay markets.
- Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS): Maintains agricultural directories and market information. Check vdacs.virginia.gov.
- Rockingham County Farm Bureau: If you're in the mid-Atlantic and willing to drive to the Valley, the Rockingham County area around Harrisonburg is one of the highest-density hay-producing areas in Virginia. The local farm bureau can provide producer contacts.
- Local Facebook farm groups: Virginia Horse Farms, Shenandoah Valley Farming, and county-specific groups are active hay marketplaces, particularly June–August.
Virginia Timing Notes
Virginia's climate (Zone 6a–7b by region) typically produces 2–3 hay cuttings:
- First cutting: Late May to mid-June in the Valley; slightly earlier in the Tidewater and Northern Neck regions.
- Second cutting: Late July to mid-August.
- Third cutting: September, weather permitting. Not all farms in all regions take a third cut.
Summer drought is a recurring concern in Virginia — the summers of 2022 and 2023 both saw dry periods that reduced second and third cutting yields across much of the state. In drought years, buying your full winter supply at first cutting is especially important — supply may be tight by fall.