Hay trade slow

The hay market trade was slow; demand light as most of the activity is on previously contracted hay, according to the Kansas Department of Agriculture-USDA Market News Service, May 26.

Reports are coming in that alfalfa hay is hitting the ground, but tonnages are lower due to freeze damage, insects, and dry conditions. Under the circumstances we currently find ourselves in, most producers are still trying to figure out where the new crop pricing should be. Prices given on a per-ton basis unless otherwise noted.

Southwest:

Dairy/grinding alfalfa, ground and delivered steady; movement slow. Premium horse alfalfa, small squares, $230-$240. Dairy 1/point RFV, supreme, $185-$226, premium, $170-$195, good, $150-$170. Stock or dry cow, $160-$165. Fair/Good grinding alfalfa, old crop, $110-$125, new crop, $115-$125 delivered, with an instance of new crop grinder hay in the bale at $120 at the edge. Ground and delivered locally to feed lots and dairies, $145-$155, with a few instances at $165. Good bluestem grass hay, large squares, $100-$110. Sudan, large rounds, $60-$70. Corn stalks ground and delivered, $65-$75. For the week ending May 23, 7,107 ton of grinding alfalfa and 1,235 ton of dairy alfalfa was reported bought/sold.  

South central:

Dairy/grinding alfalfa, ground/delivered, alfalfa pellets, steady; movement slow. Horse alfalfa, small squares, $255-$275. Dairy, 1/point RFV, supreme, $185-$225, premium, $170-$195, good, $150-$178. Stock cow, $140-$150. Fair/good grinding alfalfa, $85-$100, Ground and delivered locally to feedlots, $140-$150. Sun-cured alfalfa pellets, 15% protein, $190-$200, 17% protein, $195-$210, dehydrated 17% protein, $300-$310. Sudan, large rounds, $55-$65. For the week ending May 23, 4,485 tons of grinding alfalfa and 637.5 tons of dairy alfalfa was reported bought/sold.

Southeast:

Dairy/grinding alfalfa, ground/delivered, grass hay steady; movement slow.  Horse or goat alfalfa, $230-$240. Dairy 1/point RFV. Stock cow, $140-$150. Fair/good grinding alfalfa, $115-$125. Ground and delivered, none reported. Bluestem grass hay, small squares, $125-$135, good, medium squares, $105-$120, large squares, $90-$110, large rounds, $60-$65. Good brome, small squares, $125-$150, medium to large squares, $100-$110, large rounds, $70-$80. Wheat straw, medium and large squares, $60-$70, large rounds, $55-$65. For the week ending May 23, 1,335 ton of grass hay was reported bought/sold.

Northwest:

Dairy/grinding alfalfa, ground/delivered steady; movement slow. Horse or goat alfalfa, $205-$215. Dairy, premium/supreme 1/point RFV. Fair/good grinding alfalfa, $95-$105. Ground and delivered locally to feedlots and dairies, $125-$135. Sudan, large rounds, $55-$65.

North central/northeast:

Dairy/grinding alfalfa, ground/delivered, grass hay steady; movement slow. Premium horse alfalfa, small squares, none reported. Old crop dairy 1/point RFV, supreme, $185-$225, premium, $170-$195, good, $150-$70. New crop dairy 1-1.05/pt. Stock cow, none reported. Fair/good, grinding alfalfa, $100-$110. Ground and delivered, $120-$130. Bluestem grass hay, small squares, $6-$7/bale, medium to large squares, $80-$90, large rounds, $55-$65. Brome, large squares, $90-$100, large rounds, $55-$65. Sudan, large rounds, $55-$65. Wheat straw, small squares, $5-$6/bale delivered, large squares, $70-$80, large rounds, $55-$65. For the week ending May 23, 778 tons of grinding alfalfa and 775 ton of dairy alfalfa was reported bought/sold.

Source: Kansas Department of Agriculture-USDA Market News Service, Manhattan, Kansas.