For the fifth month in a row, average U.S. hay prices have declined.
Over the past month, alfalfa prices dropped $3/ton throughout the nation – to $194/ton in October, according to the USDA Agricultural Prices report released Oct. 31. That compares with a nearly identical October 2013 price for alfalfa of $193/ton.
The all-hay price also took an average $3/ton hit, dropping to $173/ton last month, the report indicates. The October 2013 price for all-hay was $174/ton.
Twelve of the 27 hay-reporting states experienced reduced average alfalfa prices last month.
From September to October, New York reported the biggest decline in average alfalfa and all-hay prices; both hay types dropped by $31/ton to $190/ton and $163/ton, respectively. Arizona alfalfa growers saw a $15/ton drop to $180/ton.
Eight of the reporting states noted an increase in average alfalfa price, while seven states reported no change.
The states with the highest alfalfa price hikes were Pennsylvania, with a $30/ton increase to $234/ton, and Ohio, with a $20 rise to $190/ton from September to October.
Click here to see more...