Hay Auction 2024

Madison county ranks in the top 5 in the state of Kentucky for hay with approximately 43,600 acres produced. To help market local hay, the Madison County Extension ANR agent and the Madison County Fair Board partnered to coordinate a regional hay auction at the county fairgrounds.

On Saturday January 20th, 2024 our 17th annual hay auction took place with 74 different lots of hay and straw offered for sale. The Madison County ANR agent coordinated some deliveries, some load out, and provided radio, newsletter and social media advertisements. Fair board members weighed bales and calculated their average weight for each lot of hay. Prior to each lot of hay being sold, the weight and test results for some lots previously tested through a local hay contest were announced to buyers. Note: most hay was not tested this year due to extreme cold and snow covered roads. It was not safe for the KDA mobile testing unit or employee to travel.

Approximately $120,388.25.00 dollars of hay was sold in the auction by 18 producers from 6 Kentucky counties. This year’s attendance was again excellent and buyers were very active. Hay sold at record prices due to a shortage. Averages were: $90.12/round bale (non-alfalfa), $141.00/round bale alfalfa, $10.63/small square (non-alfalfa), $12.59/small square alfalfa.

Our annual hay auction serves several purposes. Most importantly, it allows an opportunity to educate producers about the need for hay testing while bringing buyers and sellers together in the marketplace where local price discovery can occur. Many farmers in the region reference our auction sale prices when placing a value on their own hay. This auction supplies much needed feed for livestock in Madison and surrounding counties, especially in years of short supply such as this one.