Hay prices remain steady for alfalfa, grass

Compared to the last report, hay market prices remained steady for alfalfa and grass hay; movement remains slow but picked up a bit, according to the Kansas Department of Agriculture-USDA Market News Service, Feb. 22.

A fast-moving snowstorm moved across the state again last week. Heaviest snow fell across southeastern Kansas with up to 10 inches in some areas. Despite the snow, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor, moderate drought was degraded to severe drought across central Kansas and merged with ongoing severe drought in southwest Kansas. Currently, abnormally dry conditions remained steady at near 16%, moderate drought decreased to 44.5%, severe drought increased to 20% and extreme drought remained near 6%. Prices based on averages and are given on a per-ton basis.

Southwest:

Dairy alfalfa, grinding alfalfa, ground and delivered steady, movement slow. Premium horse alfalfa, small squares, $260-$270. Dairy 1.05-1.10/point RFV, supreme, $195-$250, premium, $180-$205, good, $155-$185. Stock or dry cow, $190-$200. Grinding alfalfa, $180-$185. Ground and delivered locally to feed lots and dairies, $200-$210. Bluestem grass hay, 3×4 and 4×4 squares, $100-$120, large rounds, $75/bale. For the week ending Feb. 19, 8,058 tons of grinding alfalfa and 125 tons of dairy alfalfa was reported bought/sold.

South central:

Dairy alfalfa, alfalfa pellets, grinding alfalfa, ground and delivered steady, movement slow. Horse alfalfa, small squares, $255-$275. Dairy 1.05-1.10/point RFV, supreme, $195-$250, premium, $180-$205, good, $155-$185. Good stock cow, $170-$180. Fair/good grinding alfalfa, $160-$170 delivered. Ground and delivered, $185-$195. Sun-cured alfalfa pellets, 15% protein, $235-$240, 17% protein, $240-$250, dehydrated 17% protein, $310-$315. Bluestem grass hay, large rounds, $80-$90, large squares, $100-$110. Brome, large rounds, $95-$100, large squares, $110-$120. Oat hay, good large rounds, $120-$125, good 3×4 squares, $130-$135. Sudan, large rounds, $85-$95. For the week ending Feb. 19, 7,488 tons of grinding alfalfa and 663 tons of dairy alfalfa was reported bought/sold.

Southeast:

Dairy alfalfa, grinding alfalfa steady, grass hay steady; movement slow. Horse or goat alfalfa, $260-$270. Dairy 1-1.05/point RFV. Good, stock cow, $180-$190, with an instance of premium stock cow, $220-$240. Fair/good grinding alfalfa, $145-$155. Bluestem grass hay, small squares, $120-$125, good 3×3 squares, $115-$125, good 3×4 and 4×4 squares, $100-$110, large rounds, $70-$85. Good brome, 3×4 to 4×4 squares, $115-$125, large rounds, $85-$95. Bermuda grass:, 3×4 and 4×4, $105-$115. Wheat straw, 3×4 and 4×4 squares, $60-$75. For the week ending Feb. 19, 982 tons of grass hay was reported bought/sold.

Northwest:

Dairy alfalfa, grinding alfalfa, ground/delivered steady, movement slow. Horse or goat alfalfa, small squares, $300-$400 delivered. Dairy, premium/supreme 1.05-1.10/point RFV. Stock cow, fair/good, $175-$185. Fair/good grinding alfalfa, $170-$180. Oat hay, 3×3 squares, $135-$145. Wheat straw, large squares, $75-$85.

North central/northeast:

Dairy alfalfa steady, grass hay, grinding alfalfa, ground/delivered steady; movement slow. Premium horse alfalfa, small squares, $9-$10/bale. Dairy 1.05-1.10/point RFV, supreme, $195-$250, premium, $180-$205, good, $155-$185. Stock cow, $160-$170. Fair/good, grinding alfalfa, $145-$155; ground and delivered, $170-$180. Bluestem grass hay, small squares, $6.50-$7/bale, large 3×4 to 4×4 squares, $130-$140 delivered, good, large rounds, $90-$100. Brome, small squares, $7.25-$8/bale, large rounds, $90-$105. Wheat straw, small squares, $5-$6/bale, large 3×4 to 4×4 squares, $85-$100. Certified weed free grass mulch large rounds, $80-$90. For the week ending Feb. 19, 616 tons of grinding alfalfa and, 675 tons of dairy alfalfa was reported bought/sold.

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