Hay demand for all hay light to moderate

Hay market prices were mostly steady across the state and demand for all hay was light to moderate as cattle return to pastures, according to the Kansas Department of Agriculture-USDA Market News Service, May 11.

The cool weather is keeping the hay from really taking off. Most folks are another 2 to 3 weeks out, however, some folks have been spotted swathing and baling up alfalfa. Those who have managed to get some bales put up report that the alfalfa was a little light and point the finger at bug and frost damage. Producers report they are receiving a lot of inquiries concerning new crop. Although more new crop prices were reported this past week, many producers are still not ready to shake on it. Prices given on a per-ton basis, and reflect the average price. Next report will be released May 25.

Southwest:

Dairy alfalfa, ground and delivered steady, grinding alfalfa steady to $5 higher; movement slow to moderate. Premium horse alfalfa, small squares, $260-$280. Dairy 1-1.05/point RFV, supreme, $185-$237, premium, $170-$195, good, $150-$178.50. Stock or dry cow, $175-$185. Current grinding alfalfa, $175-$185. New crop grinding alfalfa, $170-$180 with an instance at $195. Current ground and delivered locally to feed lots and dairies, $200-$220. New crop ground and delivered, $190-$205. Grass hay, large 4×4 squares, $95-$105. Sudan, large rounds, $75-$85. Wheat straw, small squares, $3.50-$4.50/bale, large 3×4 squares, $80-$90. For the week ending May 8, 11,699 tons of grinding alfalfa and 850 tons of dairy alfalfa was reported bought/sold.

South central:

Dairy alfalfa, alfalfa pellets, steady; grinding alfalfa, ground/delivered steady; movement slow. Horse alfalfa, small squares, $255-$275. Dairy, 1/point RFV, supreme, $185-$225, premium, $170-$195, good, $150-$178. Good, stock cow, $175-$185. Fair/good grinding alfalfa, $160-$175 delivered. Ground and delivered, $170-$185 with an instance at $190-$200. Sun-cured alfalfa pellets, 15% protein, $200-$215, 17% protein, $210-$220, dehydrated 17% protein, $305-$310. Bluestem grass hay, 3×3 squares, $115-$125, 3×4 and 4×4 squares, $100-$110, large rounds, $70-$80. Brome, large 3×4 squares, $85-$95, large rounds, $80-$90. Teff, large rounds, $135-$145. Sudan, large rounds, $90-$100. Corn stalks, $65-$75. Wheat straw, $60-$70. For the week ending May 8, 7,356 tons of grinding alfalfa and 584 tons of dairy alfalfa was reported bought/sold.

Southeast:

Dairy/grinding alfalfa, ground/delivered steady, grass hay steady, movement slow. Horse or goat alfalfa, $230-$240. Dairy 1-1.05/point RFV. Stock cow, $155-$165. Fair/good grinding alfalfa, large rounds, $135-$145. Ground and delivered, none reported. Bluestem grass hay, small squares, $125-$135, good 3×3 squares, $100-$120, good 3×4 and 4×4 squares, $90-$120, large rounds, $60-$70. Good brome, small squares, $120-$125, 3×4 to 4×4 squares, $90-$120, large rounds, $70-$80. Wheat straw, 3×4 and 4×4 squares, $60-$80. For the week ending May 8, 1,330 tons of grass hay was reported bought/sold.

Northwest:

Dairy alfalfa, ground/delivered steady, grinding alfalfa steady, movement slow. Horse or goat alfalfa, $220-$230. Dairy, premium/supreme 1/point RFV. Stock cow, fair/good, $165-$175. Fair/good grinding alfalfa, $130-$140. Ground and delivered, not a large enough sample to report. Sudan, large rounds, $60-$70. Wheat straw, large squares none reported.

North central/northeast:

Dairy alfalfa, grass hay, grinding alfalfa, ground/delivered steady; movement slow to moderate. Premium horse alfalfa, small squares, $9-$10/bale. Dairy 1-1.05/point RFV, supreme, $185-$237, premium, $170-$195, good, $150-$178.50. Stock cow, $160-$170. Fair/good, grinding alfalfa, $120-$130. Ground and delivered, $160-$170. Bluestem Grass hay, small squares, $6.50-$7.50/bale, 3×4 to 4×4 squares, $100-$105, large rounds, $60-$90. Brome, small squares, $6.50-$7.50/bale, 3×4 to 4×4 squares, $105-$115, large rounds, $80-$90. Sudan, large rounds, $75-$80. Wheat straw, small squares, $5-$6/bale, large 4×4 squares, $75-$85, $100-$110 delivered, large rounds, $65-$75. For the week ending May 8, 4,909 tons of grinding alfalfa and 437.5 tons of dairy alfalfa was reported bought/sold.

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