Compared to the last report, demand remains good, prices remained steady, and trade activity remains slow, although trades did pick up a bit last week, according to the Kansas Department of Agriculture-USDA Market News Service, March 28.
Overall, reports have come in that there has been more hay offered for sale by cattlemen, but they remain cautious, only turning loose of a few loads here and there. Southwest contributors state that they are in serious trouble as the drought stubbornly hangs on. Wheat is in poor condition and attempts are being made to keep tender young alfalfa plants from blowing out. Prices are based on averages and are given on a per-ton basis, unless otherwise noted.
Southwest:
Dairy alfalfa, grinding alfalfa, ground and delivered steady, movement slow. Supreme horse alfalfa, small squares, $12-$14/bale. Dairy, 1.40-1.50/point RFV. Good stock or dry cow, $300-$315. Grinding alfalfa, large rounds, $290-$300, large 3×4 and 4×4 squares, $300-$310. Ground and delivered locally to feed lots and dairies, $340-$350. Alfalfa/grass hay mix ground and delivered, $300-$320. Bluestem grass hay, $150-$160. For the week ending March 25, 4,949 tons of grinding alfalfa and 625 tons of dairy alfalfa was reported bought or sold.
South central:
Dairy alfalfa, ground and delivered, and alfalfa pellets steady, grinding alfalfa mixed, movement slow. Horse alfalfa, small squares, $325/ton. Dairy 1.40-1.50/point RFV. Good stock cow, $295-$305. Fair/good grinding alfalfa, large rounds, $290-$300 delivered, 3×4 and 4×4 squares, $315-$325 delivered. Alfalfa ground and delivered, $315-$325. Alfalfa/soybean, ground and delivered, $300-$315. Sun-cured alfalfa pellets, 15% protein, $325-$335, 17% protein, $345-$350, dehydrated 17% protein, $395-$400. Sudan, large rounds, $125-$130. Corn stalks, large rounds, $110-$120. For the week ending March 25, 7,396.5 tons of grinding alfalfa and 200 tons of dairy alfalfa was reported bought or sold.
Southeast:
Dairy alfalfa, grass hay steady, grinding alfalfa mixed, movement slow. Dairy 1.40-1.50/point RFV. Good stock cow, $260-$270. Fair/good grinding alfalfa, large 3×4 squares, $260-$270. Bluestem grass hay, small squares, $160-$165, good 3×4 squares, $160-$170, large rounds, $135-$145. Brome, large rounds, $135-$145. Corn stalks, large rounds, $120-$130 delivered. For the week ending March 25, 1,344 tons of grass hay was reported bought or sold.
Northwest:
Dairy alfalfa and grinding alfalfa steady, movement slow. Horse or goat alfalfa, small squares, $345-$355 delivered, 3×3 squares, $305-$320 delivered. Dairy, premium/supreme 1.40-1.50/point RFV. Fair/good grinding alfalfa, large 3×4 squares, $300-$315. Milo stalks, large rounds, $145-$150.
North central/northeast:
Dairy alfalfa, grinding alfalfa, ground/delivered and bluestem grass hay steady, movement slow. Alfalfa: Dairy 1.40-1.50/point RFV. Premium horse hay, small squares, $12.50-$13.50/bale, 3×4 squares, $290-$300. Stock cow, 3×4 squares, $220-$230. Fair/good, grinding alfalfa, large rounds, $235-$245, large 3×4 squares, $260-$270 delivered. Alfalfa ground and delivered, $275-$300. Alfalfa/prairie grass mix ground and delivered, $270-$275. Bluestem grass hay, small squares, $8-$8.50/bale, large 3×4 squares, $150-$160, good large rounds, $140-$150. Brome, small squares, $9-$9.50/bale, large rounds, $130-$150. Sudan, large 3×4 squares, $130-$140 delivered. Wheat straw, small squares, $6/bale, large rounds, $110-$115, large squares, $115-$125. Corn stalks, large rounds, $95-$100. For the week ending March 25, 1,025 tons of grinding alfalfa and 250 tons of dairy alfalfa was reported bought or sold.
Source: Kansas Department of Agriculture-USDA Market News Service, Manhattan, Kansas.
