Hay trade slow, prices steady

The hay market trade was slow and prices remained steady for all hay types in all regions, according to the Kansas Department of Agriculture-USDA Market News Service, Sept. 29.

Hay movement increased slightly over the past week but remains sluggish. Haying and harvest continue to keep farmers busy. Drought conditions continue to plague western Kansas and the 10-day forecast does not look favorable. Prices given on a per-ton basis, unless otherwise noted.

Southwest:

Dairy/grinding alfalfa, ground and delivered steady, movement slow to moderate. Premium horse alfalfa, small squares, $240-$250. Dairy 1/point RFV, supreme, $185-$226, premium, $170-$195, good, $150-$170. Stock or dry cow, $155-$165. Grinding alfalfa, $125-$140. Ground and delivered locally to feed lots and dairies, $155-$165, with a couple of instances at $170. Grass hay, large squares, $100-$110. Sudan, large rounds, $65-$75. For the week ending Sept. 26, 6,332 tons of grinding alfalfa and 225 tons 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, $80-$110, $125-$135 delivered. Ground and delivered, $135-$155. Sun-cured alfalfa pellets, 15% protein, $185-$200, 17% protein, $200-$210, dehydrated 17% protein, $305-$310. Bluestem grass hay, medium to large squares, $100-$110, large rounds, $80-$85. Brome, large squares, $100-$120. Sudan, large rounds, $75-$85. Crabgrass, large rounds, $60-$70. Corn stalks, large squares, $65, large rounds, $60. Wheat straw, large squares, $55-$65. For the week ending Sept. 26, 6,542 tons of grinding alfalfa and 775 tons of dairy alfalfa was reported bought/sold.

Southeast:

Dairy/grinding alfalfa, ground/delivered, grass hay steady; movement slow to moderate. Horse or goat alfalfa, $230-$240. Dairy 1/point RFV. Stock cow, $145-$155. Fair/good grinding alfalfa, none reported. Ground and delivered, none reported. Bluestem grass hay, small squares, $120-$125, good, medium squares, $100-$120, large squares, $95-$120, large rounds, $60-$90. Good brome, small squares, none reported, medium to large squares, $95-$125, large rounds, $75-$85. Wheat Straw, medium and large squares, $60-$70. For the week ending Sept. 26, 1,253 tons of grass hay was reported bought/sold.

Northwest:

Dairy/grinding alfalfa, ground/delivered steady; movement slow. Horse or goat alfalfa, $205-$215. Premium/supreme dairy, 1/point RFV. Fair/good stock cow, $145-$155. Fair/good grinding alfalfa, $95-$100. Ground and delivered locally to feedlots and dairies, $125-$135. Sudan, large rounds, $60-$70. Wheat straw, large squares, $55-$65.

North central/northeast:

Dairy/grinding alfalfa, ground/delivered, grass hay, steady; movement slow. Premium horse alfalfa, small squares, new crop, $9-$10/bale. Dairy 1-1.05/point RFV, supreme, $185-$225, premium, $170-$195, good, $150-$170. Stock cow, $150-$160. Fair/good, grinding alfalfa, $105-$120. Ground and delivered, $120-$135. Bluestem grass hay, small squares, $6.50-$7.50/bale, medium to large squares, $100-$105, large rounds, $70-$80. Brome, small squares, $8.50/bale, medium to large squares, $120-$125, large rounds, $75-$85. Sudan, large rounds, $55-$65. Wheat straw, small squares, $5-$6/bale, large squares, $75-$85, $100-$110 delivered, large rounds, $65-$75. For the week ending Sept. 26, 559 tons of grinding alfalfa and 250 tons of dairy alfalfa was reported bought/sold.

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