All hay prices in Iowa averaged $169.00 per ton in December according to the latest USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service – Agricultural Prices report. This was $13.00 below the November price and $6.00 below the December 2022 price. The December 2023 alfalfa hay price, at $181.00, was $8.00 below the previous month and $5.00 below December 2022. The average price received for other hay during December was $151.00 per ton. This was $2.00 above the November price but $3.00 below December last year.
The average price for milk was $19.10 per cwt, 50 cents below the November price and $4.90 below December 2022. Prices received for milk cows for dairy herd replacement averaged $1,860 per head as of January 1, 2024.