IDAHO
Prices steady as buyers favor smaller loads
Demand remained moderate and confirmed tonnage changed little, but buyer caution and fuel costs continued to slow movement.
What changed
USDA reported 3,825 confirmed hay tons, compared with 3,984 tons in the prior report. Reported hay and straw bale volumes were unchanged at 1,512 and 400 bales. These figures represent confirmed trades only, not bids, offers, or total production.
Demand, freight, and buyer behavior
USDA described demand for all hay types as moderate and alfalfa prices as steady. Movement was slower, with mostly small loads changing hands. Dairies and feedlots were reported to be buying incrementally while waiting for lower prices before committing to larger lots. The report cited diesel near $6 per gallon as a constraint on producers’ ability to reduce delivered prices.
Reported transactions
- Eastern Idaho: Supreme alfalfa in the windrow at $250 per ton FOB; Premium large squares at $220–$230, weighted average $226.25; Good three-way forage mix at $155.
- Southern Idaho: Premium large-square alfalfa at $225 per ton FOB.
- Southeastern Idaho: Premium alfalfa at $250 and Good alfalfa at $220 per ton FOB to farm and ranch buyers; bundled Supreme small squares at $12 per bale FOB to stables.
- Straw: Large-square wheat straw at $45 per bale FOB.
Each transaction has its own grade, package, destination, and freight terms. None should be treated as a statewide quote.
Drought signal
The report placed 68% of Idaho in moderate drought or worse, 53% in severe drought or worse, 34% in extreme drought or worse, and 7% in exceptional drought. USDA said many major hay-producing areas remained under extreme to exceptional drought.
GB Hay interpretation
Steady FOB values and buyer resistance can coexist when freight is expensive. Sellers should separate field or stack value from delivery cost, keep quote validity short, and compare small-load bids with the carrying cost of waiting. Buyers should compare delivered cost and quality rather than assume a lower FOB offer is the cheaper feed. This is an interpretation, not a USDA forecast.
Source: USDA Idaho Direct Hay Report, October 1, 2026. GB Hay commentary is AI-assisted. Confirm grade, bale weight, terms, freight, and live bids before transacting.