Hay demand remains light, alfalfa prices still soft
Compared to the last report, demand remains light, and alfalfa prices remain soft, according to the Kansas Department of Agriculture-USDA Market News Service, Feb. 13.
Grass hay continues to retain its value. There are lots of folks wanting to sell grinding alfalfa but there are still not many buyers. Most hay being moved is on previously contracted hay. Prices based on averages and are given on a per-ton basis, unless otherwise noted.
Southwest—Trade activity is slow. Dairy alfalfa and grinding alfalfa and ground and delivered alfalfa prices are steady. Alfalfa pellets $5-$10 lower. Alfalfa: Dairy, $1.35-$1.45/point RFV. Fair/good grinding alfalfa, large rounds, $175-$185, large 3×4 and 4×4 squares, $175-$185. Ground and delivered locally to feed lots and dairies, $210-$220. Sun-cured alfalfa pellets, 15% protein, $305-315, 17% protein, $310-$320. Bluestem grass hay, small squares, $8/bale, bluestem CRP, large rounds, $75/ton. Corn stalks, rounds and 3×4 squares, $90-$100. For the week ending Feb. 10, 4,891.5 tons of grinding alfalfa and 25 tons of dairy alfalfa was reported bought or sold. The average paid by feedlots on Feb. 1 for alfalfa ground and delivered was $242.81, down $35.14 from the previous month, usage was 519 tons/day, down 7% from last month and total usage was 16,099 tons.
South central—Trade activity is slow. Alfalfa pellet, dairy alfalfa, and ground and delivered alfalfa prices are steady. Grinding alfalfa steady to $5 lower. Horse alfalfa, small squares, $13/bale; Dairy $1.35-$1.45/point RFV. Good stock cow, $225-$235. Fair/good grinding alfalfa, large rounds, $175–$185 delivered, 3×4 and 4×4 squares, $180-$190 delivered. Alfalfa ground and delivered, $210-$220. Sun-cured alfalfa pellets, 15% protein, $300-$310, 17% protein, $305-$315, dehydrated 17% protein, $400-$405. Bluestem grass hay, small squares, $200, large rounds, $100-$120. Sudan, large rounds, $80-$90. For the week ending Feb. 10, 6,536.5 tons of grinding alfalfa and 146 tons of dairy alfalfa was reported bought or sold. The average paid by feedlots on Feb. 1 for alfalfa ground and delivered was $216.90, down $0.36 from the previous month, usage was 214 tons/day, down 17% from last month and total usage was 6,638 tons.
Southeast—Trade activity is slow. Dairy alfalfa price is steady, grass hay price steady. Dairy $1.35-$1.45/point RFV. Good, stock cow, $200-$220. Bluestem grass hay, small squares, $200-$205, large rounds, $140-$150, large 3×4 and 4×4 squares, $175-$185. Brome, small squares, $200-$205, large 3×4 and 4×4 squares, $180-$200. Corn stalks, large rounds, $60-$70. For the week ending Feb. 10, 1,430.5 tons of grass hay was reported bought or sold.
Northwest—Trade activity is slow. Dairy alfalfa, grinding alfalfa prices are steady. Horse alfalfa, small squares, $12/bale. Dairy, Premium/Supreme $1.40-$1.50/point RFV. Good stock cow, $200-$230. Good alfalfa, 3×3 squares, $200, premium 3×3 squares, $300. Fair/good grinding alfalfa, $180-$200.
North central/northeast—Trade activity is slow. Dairy alfalfa, grinding alfalfa, ground and delivered and grass hay prices are steady. Alfalfa: Dairy $1.40-$1.50/point RFV. Fair/good, grinding alfalfa, large 3×4 squares, $195-$205. Alfalfa ground and delivered, $240-$250, alfalfa/sudan mix ground and delivered, $195-$205. Bluestem grass hay, small squares, $7-$8/bale, large rounds, $140-$150, large 3×4 and 4×4 squares, $175-$185. Brome, large rounds, $160-$170, large 3×4 and 4×4 squares, $190-$200. Milo stalks, $75-$85. For the week ending Feb. 10, 430 tons of grinding alfalfa and 317 tons of dairy alfalfa was reported bought or sold.
Source: Kansas Department of Agriculture-USDA Market News Service, Manhattan, Kansas.
