Demand still low for Kansas hay, prices soften with winter storms

Compared to the last report, demand remains low, and prices softened prior to the winter storms, according to the Kansas Department of Agriculture-USDA Market News Service, Jan. 16.

However, with the frigid temperatures and snow on the ground those prices have stalled. Overall, total hay bought and sold was down a tick, with most folks reporting that they are still not trading much hay, with most deliveries being previously contracted. Many producers anticipate more movement over the next couple weeks, due to the cold temperatures and winter storms. Prices based on averages and given on a per-ton basis, unless otherwise noted.

Southwest:

Dairy alfalfa, grinding alfalfa steady, ground and delivered $10 lower; movement slow. Alfalfa: Dairy, 1.35-1.45/point RFV. Good stock or dry cow, $235-$245. Fair/good grinding alfalfa, large rounds, $180-$190, large 3×4 and 4×4 squares, $180-$190 delivered. Ground and delivered locally to feed lots and dairies, $220-$230. Sun-cured alfalfa pellets, 15% protein, $315-$325, 17% protein, $325-$335. Bluestem grass hay, CRP large rounds, $75-$100. Corn stalks, 3×4 squares, $95-$105. For the week ending Jan. 13, 5,411 tons of grinding alfalfa and 50 tons of dairy alfalfa was reported bought or sold. The average paid by feedlots on Jan. 1 for alfalfa ground and delivered was $277.95, up $2.38 from the previous month, usage was 557 tons/day, up 13% from last month and total usage was 17,280.5 tons.

South central:

Dairy alfalfa steady, grinding alfalfa and ground and delivered $10 lower; alfalfa pellets $10-$15 lower; 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, $190-$200 delivered. Alfalfa ground and delivered, $220-$230. Sun-cured alfalfa pellets, 15% protein, $300-$315, dehydrated 17% protein, $410-$420. Bluestem grass hay, large rounds, $150-$160, small squares, $200-$205. Sudan, large rounds, $95-$105. For the week ending Jan. 13, 6,055 tons of grinding alfalfa and 100 ton of dairy alfalfa was reported bought or sold. The average paid by feedlots on Jan. 1 for alfalfa ground and delivered was 217.26, up .88 from the previous month, usage was 258 tons/day, up 3% from last month and total usage was 7,983 tons.

Southeast:

Grass hay mostly steady; movement slow. Dairy 1.40-1.50/point RFV. Good, stock cow, $255-$265 delivered. Bluestem grass hay, small squares, $200-$205, large round, $140-$150, large 3×4 and 4×4 squares, $180-$190. Brome, small squares, $200-$205, large 3×4 and 4×4 squares, $180-$200. For the week ending Jan. 13, 988.5 tons of grass hay was reported bought or sold.

Northwest:

Dairy alfalfa, grinding alfalfa, steady, movement slow. Horse alfalfa, small squares, $12/bale. Dairy, premium/supreme 1.40-1.50/point RFV. Stock cow, good, $200-$230. Fair/good grinding alfalfa, $180-$200. Sudan, weedy, large rounds, $85-$95, delivered.

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. Fair/good, grinding alfalfa, large 3×4 squares, $210-$220. Alfalfa ground and delivered, $240-$250. Bluestem grass hay, large rounds, $140-$150, large 3×4 and 4×4 squares, $175-$185. Brome, large 3×4 and 4×4 squares, $190-$200. Milo stalks, $75-$85. For the week ending Jan. 13, 384 tons of grinding alfalfa and 500 tons of dairy alfalfa was reported bought or sold.

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