USDA IA & NE Hay 08/27 13:25
08/27/2026 | 1:25 pm CDT USDA IA & NE Hay 08/27 13:25
AMS_2935
Nebraska Direct Hay Report
Released on August 27, 2026
Direct Hay Weighted Average Report for week ending 08/28/2026
VOLUME
This Week Last Reported Last Year
(08/10/2026)
Bales:
Hay 25 25 80
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Total 25 25 80
Tons:
Hay 5725 4900 1430
Straw 600 600
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Total 6325 5500 1430
======================================================================
Compared to two weeks ago, alfalfa hay in the Eastern side of the state
10.00 to 20.00 higher, alfalfa pellets 20.00 higher.
Grass and alfalfa hay in the Central area steady to 10.00 higher, ground
and delivered hay steady.
Alfalfa hay in the Platte Valley sold steady to 20.00 higher, ground
and delivered hay sold 10.00 per ton higher.
Alfalfa pellets sold steady.
In the west, all reported forages sold steady.
Demand was good to very good for bales of forage.
Light demand on alfalfa pellets.
Quite a lot of the pressure on the Nebraska hay market is from out of
state buyers as they are adding additional price to the local market.
Many concerned hay contacts on calls this week as what will there be
to buy come spring.
At these price levels it doesn't take long to have over a million dollars
wrapped up in hay sitting around to be fed.
Most end hay users like hand to mouth hay buying so they don't have to
pay interest on a lot of tonnage sitting around.
Most are concerned they may not be hay to purchase after the new year.
Most asked about commodity that hasn't been baled is cornstalk bales.
What are they worth? Roughly 75% the value of bales of alfalfa.
If there is a damp or wet fall and the cornstalks, cane and other "off"
feed products can't be baled, more than likely the price on bales of
grass and alfalfa will continue to go up.
Alfalfa guidelines (for domestic livestock use and not more than
10% grass)
Quality ADF NDF *RFV **TDN-100% **TDN-90%
CP
Supreme 185 >62 >55.9
>22
Premium 27-29 34-36 170-185 60.5-62 54.5-55.9
20-22
Good 29-32 36-40 150-170 58-60 52.5-54.5
18-20
Fair 32-35 40-44 130-150 56-58 50.5-52.5 .
Values based on 100% dry matter (TDN showing both 100% &
90%).
Guidelines are to be used with visual appearance and intent of
Sale
(usage).
=====================================================================
Grass
Hay guidelines
Quality Crude Protein
Percent
Premium Over 13
Good 9-13
Fair
5-9
Low Under 5.
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Central
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Hay Conventional
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Alfalfa Per Ton
Qty Price Range Wtd Freight/ Description Crop Age
Avg Use
--- ----------- --- ---------- ----------- --------
Ground 0 240.0 0 Delivered
Alfalfa Good Per Ton
Qty Price Range Wtd Freight/ Description Crop Age
Avg Use
--- ----------- --- ---------- ----------- --------
Large Round 200 150.0-215.0 178.75 F.O.B.
Prairie/Meadow Grass Good/Premium Per Bale
Qty Price Range Wtd Freight/ Description Crop Age
Avg Use
--- ----------- --- ---------- ----------- --------
Small Square 25 10.0 10 F.O.B.
Prairie/Meadow Grass Good/Premium Per Ton
Qty Price Range Wtd Freight/ Description Crop Age
Avg Use
--- ----------- --- ---------- ----------- --------
Large Round 200 180.0 180 F.O.B.
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East
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Hay Conventional
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Alfalfa Per Ton
Qty Price Range Wtd Freight/ Description Crop Age
Avg Use
--- ----------- --- ---------- ----------- --------
Pellets 17% Dehydrated 0 390.0 0 F.O.B.
Pellets 17% Suncured 0 320.0 0 F.O.B.
Alfalfa Good Per Ton
Qty Price Range Wtd Freight/ Description Crop Age
Avg Use
--- ----------- --- ---------- ----------- --------
Large Round 200 170.0-190.0 180 F.O.B.-
Dealer/Mill/Processor
Alfalfa Good/Premium Per Ton
Qty Price Range Wtd Freight/ Description Crop Age
Avg Use
--- ----------- --- ---------- ----------- --------
Large Round 500 185.0 185 F.O.B.
Large Square 3x4 200 250.0 250 F.O.B.
Grass Good Per Ton
Qty Price Range Wtd Freight/ Description Crop Age
Avg Use
--- ----------- --- ---------- ----------- --------
Large Round 250 150.0 150 F.O.B.
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Platte Valley
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hay Conventional
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Alfalfa Per Ton
Qty Price Range Wtd Freight/ Description Crop Age
Avg Use
--- ----------- --- ---------- ----------- --------
Ground 0 250.0 0 Delivered
Pellets 17% Dehydrated 0 330.0-340.0 0 F.O.B.
Alfalfa Good Per Ton
Qty Price Range Wtd Freight/ Description Crop Age
Avg Use
--- ----------- --- ---------- ----------- --------
Large Round 800 200.0-210.0 201.25 F.O.B.
Large Square 3x4 800 220.0 220 F.O.B.
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West
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Hay Conventional
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Alfalfa Per Ton
Qty Price Range Wtd Freight/ Description Crop Age
Avg Use
--- ----------- --- ---------- ----------- --------
Ground 0 300.0 0 Delivered
Pellets 17% Suncured 0 390.0 0 F.O.B.
Alfalfa Good Per Ton
Qty Price Range Wtd Freight/ Description Crop Age
Avg Use
--- ----------- --- ---------- ----------- --------
Large Square 3x4 1200 265.0-285.0 270.42 F.O.B.-
Farm/Ranch
Alfalfa Good/Premium Per Ton
Qty Price Range Wtd Freight/ Description Crop Age
Avg Use
--- ----------- --- ---------- ----------- --------
Large Square 3x4 225 300.0-330.0 326.67 F.O.B.-
Farm/Ranch
Grass Good Per Ton
Qty Price Range Wtd Freight/ Description Crop Age
Avg Use
--- ----------- --- ---------- ----------- --------
Large Round 200 150.0 150 F.O.B.
Large Square 3x4 150 150.0 150 F.O.B.
Alfalfa Utility/Fair Per Ton
Qty Price Range Wtd Freight/ Description Crop Age
Avg Use
--- ----------- --- ---------- ----------- --------
Large Square 3x4 300 250.0 250 F.O.B.
Oat Per Ton
Qty Price Range Wtd Freight/ Description Crop Age
Avg Use
--- ----------- --- ---------- ----------- --------
Large Square 3x4 500 150.0 150 F.O.B.
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Straw Conventional
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Wheat Per Ton
Qty Price Range Wtd Freight/ Description Crop Age
Avg Use
--- ----------- --- ---------- ----------- --------
Large Square 600 150.0 150 F.O.B.
[0600059A]