# Hay cost per ton in Alabama

> In Alabama, grass hay in large round bales typically runs $180-$260 per ton, while premium alfalfa trucked in from the Midwest runs $280-$340 per ton delivered. Small squares retail for $7-$12 per bale.

**Headline:** $180-$260 per ton for large round bales; premium alfalfa $280-$340 per ton delivered

## Key Figures

| Metric | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Premium alfalfa (delivered, small square) | $280-$340 per ton |
| Supreme alfalfa (dairy quality, delivered) | $320-$380 per ton |
| Grass hay (bermudagrass/bahiagrass) | $140-$200 per ton |
| Mixed grass-legume hay | $160-$220 per ton |
| Large round bale (4x5, ~1,000 lb, grass) | $60-$110 per bale ($120-$220/ton) |

## Detail

Alabama's hay market is dominated by warm-season grasses, primarily bermudagrass and bahiagrass, which thrive in the state's long growing season and 50-60 inches of annual rainfall. Most producers harvest 4-5 cuttings of bermudagrass between May and October, yielding 5-7 tons per acre under good fertility, according to the Alabama Cooperative Extension System. Humid summers and frequent afternoon thunderstorms make curing hay without rain damage the single biggest challenge, which is why weather-damaged lots often trade $30-$50 per ton below premium.

Because alfalfa struggles in Alabama's heat and humidity, virtually all dairy-quality and premium alfalfa is trucked in from Missouri, Kentucky, and the upper Midwest. The USDA AMS Southeast Hay Report consistently shows delivered alfalfa landing at $280-$340 per ton for premium grades and $320-$380 for supreme dairy hay, with freight alone adding $40-$80 per ton. Local grass hay in large round bales (4x5, roughly 1,000 lb) trades $60-$110 per bale at the farm gate, equivalent to $120-$220 per ton.

For a 1,200 lb beef cow eating about 25 lb of hay per day through a 120-day Alabama winter feeding window (roughly December through March), total consumption is about 3,000 lb, or 1.5 tons per cow. At a mid-range grass hay price of $180 per ton from the USDA AMS National Hay Summary, that works out to roughly $270 per cow per winter in hay alone, before waste. Factoring in typical 15-20% feeding waste from round bale rings, the real delivered cost climbs closer to $310-$325 per cow, which is why Alabama extension agents push stockpiled fescue and bermudagrass grazing to trim the winter hay bill.

## Frequently Asked Questions

### Why is alfalfa more expensive than grass hay in Alabama?

Alabama's hot, humid summers make alfalfa difficult to cure and stand-establish, so nearly all alfalfa is trucked in from Missouri, Kentucky, or the Midwest, adding $40-$80 per ton in freight.

### When is hay cheapest to buy in Alabama?

Prices are lowest June through August right after first and second cuttings of bermudagrass. Prices peak January through March when winter feeding depletes supply.

### How many cuttings of bermudagrass hay do Alabama producers get?

Most Alabama producers get 4-5 cuttings of bermudagrass per season between May and October, with yields of 5-7 tons per acre under good fertility and rainfall.

## Sources

1. USDA AMS National Hay, Feed & Seed Weekly Summary (2025) — https://www.ams.usda.gov/mnreports/lsbnhay.pdf
2. Alabama Cooperative Extension System - Hay Production in Alabama (ANR-0149) (2024) — https://www.aces.edu/blog/topics/crop-production/hay-production-in-alabama/
3. USDA AMS Southeast Hay Report (2025) — https://www.ams.usda.gov/mnreports/ams_3646.pdf

---

Source: Vellum — https://vellum.app/hay-cost-per-ton/alabama