The September 10th University of Wisconsin-Extension Agriculture and Natural Resources Hay Market Demand and Price Report for the Upper Midwest is now available at https://fyi.extension.wisc.edu/forage/h-m-r/.

Demand and Sales Comments:
After wide spread rains market prices were steady to weaker this past week. After the rain some farmers are taking account of potential pasture available into fall rather than purchasing and stockpiling hay in storage. There were a few markets with no sales this week because of Labor Day plus many farmers are making corn silage and may not have a concern for hay until after silage harvest. Round bales were discounted no matter the quality.

In Wisconsin, heavy rainfall has flooded some areas and reduced drought stress in others. Once the rain stopped corn silage harvest has begun in earnest. With hope of pasture regrowth and good yields of corn silage, farmers will probably hold off hay purchasing until they take a forage inventory after silage harvest.

Straw prices were steady to stronger this past week. Small square bale straw price increased to $4.00 a bale (range of $2.00 to $6.00). Large square bale straw prices increased to $46.00 per bale (a wide range of $20.00 to $88.00). Large round bale straw increased to $38.00 per bale (range of $21.00 – $60.00).