Hay prices steady despite low demand

Compared to the last report, demand remains low, and prices steady, according to the Kansas Department of Agriculture-USDA Market News Service, Dec. 26.

Due to a couple of large purchases in the southwest region, total hay bought and sold was up overall, however, that is not indicative of the market, which remains slow for most regions. Most folks are still not trading much hay and only delivering on old contracts. Many producers report that it is pretty muddy out there and a dry up would be nice. On the other hand, a winter storm may get this sluggish hay market moving. Most folks continue to report that their hay is just not moving, and it doesn’t matter what type of hay it is. Prices are based on averages and given on a per-ton basis, unless otherwise noted. Next report will be released Jan. 9.

Southwest:

Dairy alfalfa, ground and delivered steady, grinding alfalfa steady; movement slow. Alfalfa: Dairy, 1.35-1.45/point RFV. Good stock or dry cow, $240-$250. Fair/good grinding alfalfa, large rounds, $180-$190 delivered, large 3×4 and 4×4 squares, $180-$190 delivered. Ground and delivered locally to feed lots and dairies, new crop, $230-$240. Alfalfa/oat hay mixed ground and delivered, $225-$235. Bluestem grass hay, CRP large rounds, $75-$100. Sudan, large rounds, $70-$90. Teff, large rounds, $220-$230. For the week ending Dec. 23, 9,176 tons of grinding alfalfa and 625 tons of dairy alfalfa was reported bought or sold.

South central:

Dairy alfalfa, grinding alfalfa, ground and delivered and alfalfa pellets steady; movement slow. Horse alfalfa, small squares, $13/bale; Dairy 1.40-1.50/point RFV. Good stock cow, $225-$235. Fair/good grinding alfalfa, large rounds, $190–$200 delivered, 3×4 and 4×4 squares, $195-$205 delivered. Alfalfa ground and delivered, $230-$240. Alfalfa/forage mix, ground and delivered, $180-$190. Sun-cured alfalfa pellets, 15% protein, $315-$325, 17% protein, $325-$335, dehydrated 17% protein, $410-$420. Bluestem grass hay, large rounds, $165-$185 delivered, small squares, $200-$205. Brome, small squares, $245-$250/ton. Sudan, large rounds, $100-$110. Milo, large rounds, $95-$105. For the week ending Dec. 23, 6,252 tons of grinding alfalfa and 125 tons of dairy alfalfa was reported bought or sold.

Southeast:

Dairy alfalfa steady, grass hay mostly steady; movement slow. Dairy alfalfa 1.40-1.50/point RFV. Good stock cow, $260-$270 delivered. Fair/good grinding alfalfa, large rounds, $190-$200. Bluestem grass hay, small squares, $200-$205, medium 3×3 squares, $175-$185, large 3×4 squares, $170-$185, large rounds, $155-$170. Brome, large rounds, $160-$170, large squares, $185-$200. For the week ending Dec. 23, 1,070 tons of grass hay was reported bought or sold.

Northwest:

Dairy alfalfa, grinding alfalfa, steady, movement slow. Horse or goat alfalfa, 3×3 squares, $300. Dairy,

Premium/Supreme 1.40-1.50/point RFV. Fair/good grinding alfalfa, large rounds, $190-$200, large 3×4 squares, $200-$215, small squares, $12/bale.

North central/northeast:

Dairy alfalfa, grinding alfalfa, ground and delivered and grass hay mostly steady; movement slow. Alfalfa: Dairy 1.40-1.50/point RFV. Premium Horse hay, small squares, $12-$13/bale. Stock cow, 3×4 squares, $230-$240. Fair/good, grinding alfalfa, large rounds, $210-$220, large 3×4 squares, $210-$220. Alfalfa ground and delivered, $245-$275. Alfalfa/Sudan grass mix ground and delivered, $200. Bluestem grass hay, small squares, new crop, $9-$10/bale, large 3×4 squares, $160-$170, good large rounds, $150-$170. Brome, small squares, $10-$11/bale, large rounds, $130-$170. Oat hay, large rounds, $160. Sudan, large rounds, $130-$160 delivered. Milo stalks, $70-$90. Soybeans, $70-$90. Wheat straw, small squares, $5-$6/bale. Corn stalks, large rounds, $60-$70. For the week ending Dec. 23, 384 tons of grinding alfalfa and 575 tons of dairy alfalfa was reported bought or sold.

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