The current and future supply of hay, as well as the price it fetches, appears to be as variable as the weather.

In northeast Iowa, Carl Shirk at Fort Atkinson Hay Auction says the supply of good hay is tight because of the weather during baling of the first crop.

"A lot of it got ruined. It was hot and wet. The second crop does seem to be a little better, but it will be a short supply," says Shirk.

He reports that the price of hay during the first week of August was $120 to $170 per ton for ...