You're a long ways from me, but I don't know anyone who still has working cows that wants a 4' bale here. If I'm going to get out in the snow or mud to put one in a ring, I want the ring to be full when I'm done, not 20% empty.  

I've bought good fresh hay for as low as $22. That won't pay the fuel/machine bill. It's different for every area of the country, but 30% of the cows are gone from my county, so I'm not sure who people expected to be buying hay. It's safe to say most of those cows are gone for good so everyone from the bull sellers to the mineral man to the muffler pipe gate guy might as well factor it into the demand side of their financials.