Compiled USDA hay auction prices across the Midwest this week — here’s what I found

een tracking hay auction prices across 57+ USDA markets every Monday and figured this community might find it useful.

This week's Midwest alfalfa (Good quality, large rounds):

• Rock Valley, IA — $145/ton

• Dakota, SD — $120/ton

• Pipestone, MN — $105/ton

• HPL Auction, IA — $102/ton

That's a $40 spread within a few hundred miles. Interesting how much location affects what you're actually paying.

I pull this straight from USDA AMS auction reports each week and built a free dashboard if you want to see all 57 regions: haywireag.com/prices (http://haywireag.com/prices)

Also send a free weekly email with the full breakdown every Monday — haywireag.com (http://haywireag.com/) if anyone wants it.

Happy to answer questions about the data or methodology.