● Market Report · JUNE 29, 2026
Benchmark drops $30.03 to $139.88
HayWire · Week of June 29, 2026 · USDA AMS · 166 records · 32 regions
§01 The 60-Second Read
The five-market benchmark came in at 139.88, down 30.03 from last week's 169.91, a 17.7 percent slide that lands squarely in buyers' favor. Dakota SD Mon still tops the board at 169.95 even after shedding 24.12, or 12.4 percent, week over week. The floor this week sits at Iowa's 120.00.
§02 By the Numbers
Good benchmark $140/ton ▼ 17.7% / $30 week over week |
Top mover $170 Dakota SD Mon · ▼ 12.4% |
Geography spread $50/ton Dakota SD Mon $170 → Iowa $120 |
Alfalfa index $220/ton steady · low confidence |
§03 Watch List
| 01 | Dakota SD Mon leads Highest quote at 169.95, but off 24.12 week over week, a 12.4 percent step down. |
| 02 | Spread near fifty dollars The gap runs 49.95 between Dakota SD Mon at 169.95 and Iowa at 120.00. |
| 03 | Diesel eases lower U.S. diesel at 4.67 a gallon, down 0.16 week over week, trims delivered loads a touch. |
§04 The Read
A 17.7 percent drop in the benchmark points to broad softening, not one weak sale. Yet Dakota SD Mon holding near 169.95 against Iowa's 120.00 shows strength still lives at the top end while the low end sags. With hay stocks at 23.3M tons and cattle on feed up 2.1 percent, the pullback looks like supply catching up more than demand fading.
§05 The Call
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