# Hay cost per ton in Oklahoma

> In Oklahoma, grass hay runs roughly $160-$240 per ton and premium alfalfa $220-$320 per ton in large round bales FOB the stack, per USDA AMS Oklahoma Hay Report pricing through 2024-2025.

**Headline:** $160-$240 per ton for grass hay; $220-$320 per ton for premium alfalfa (large rounds, FOB stack, Oklahoma 2025)

## Key Figures

| Metric | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Premium alfalfa (large rounds) | $220-$290 per ton |
| Supreme alfalfa (dairy quality, small squares) | $280-$360 per ton |
| Grass hay (bermuda/native, good) | $160-$220 per ton |
| Mixed grass/alfalfa | $180-$250 per ton |
| Large round bale (1,200 lb, grass) | $95-$135 per bale |

## Detail

Oklahoma hay pricing tracks two distinct markets. Bermudagrass and native grass hay dominate the eastern two-thirds of the state and trade in the $160-$240 per ton range for good-quality large rounds FOB the stack, while premium and supreme alfalfa - much of it trucked in from the Panhandle, western Kansas, and the Texas High Plains - runs $220-$320 per ton depending on test and bale package, according to the USDA AMS Oklahoma Hay Report through 2025.

Cutting schedules shape availability and price. Bermudagrass producers typically take three to four cuttings between late May and early October, and first-cutting grass hay volumes hinge on April-May rainfall: wet springs push first cutting into June and tighten early-summer supply, while drought years like 2022-2023 cut total tonnage and pushed grass hay to the top of the quoted range, per OSU Extension hay market reporting.

For a rancher feeding a 1,200 lb beef cow roughly 25 lb of hay per day through a 120-day Oklahoma winter, that works out to about 3,000 lb - 1.5 tons - per cow per winter. At a mid-range grass hay price of $200 per ton from the USDA AMS Oklahoma Hay Report, the raw hay bill lands near $300 per cow, before waste. Typical round-bale feeding waste of 15-25% pushes the real delivered cost closer to $345-$375 per cow, which is why ring or cone feeders pay for themselves inside a single winter on most Oklahoma operations.

## Frequently Asked Questions

### Where are the main hay auctions in Oklahoma?

The USDA AMS Oklahoma Hay Report aggregates direct sales statewide; regional trade hubs include Enid, Hugo, and the Oklahoma Panhandle for alfalfa moving in from the Texas High Plains and Kansas.

### Why does Oklahoma hay price swing year to year?

Drought cycles (2022-2023 were severe) and bermudagrass cutting counts drive supply. Wet springs delay first cutting and raise grass hay prices; dry summers shrink second and third cuttings.

### Is it cheaper to buy by the bale or by the ton?

Per-ton pricing is standard for alfalfa and squares; grass rounds are often sold per bale. Always weigh: a nominal 1,200 lb round often scales at 1,050-1,150 lb, inflating the real $/ton.

## Sources

1. USDA AMS Oklahoma Hay Report (OK_GR311) (2025) — https://mymarketnews.ams.usda.gov/viewReport/2671
2. USDA AMS National Hay, Feed & Seed Weekly Summary (2024) — https://mymarketnews.ams.usda.gov/viewReport/1896
3. Oklahoma State University Extension - Hay Market Demand and Price Report (2024) — https://extension.okstate.edu/programs/hay-market/

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