Kansas alfalfa demand moderate, but still light for grass hay

Compared to the last report, demand was moderate for alfalfa but remained light for grass hay, according to the Kansas Department of Agriculture-USDA Market News Service, March 19.

Open weather, greening pastures and lower cattle numbers continue to contribute to the lower demand and lower prices. Prices are based on averages and given on a per-ton basis, unless otherwise noted.

Southwest—Trade activity is slow. Dairy alfalfa prices are steady. Grinding alfalfa, large squares $25 lower, large rounds $5 lower. Ground and delivered alfalfa price steady. Alfalfa: Dairy, $1.35-$1.45/point RFV. Fair/good grinding alfalfa, large rounds, $115-$125, large 3×4 and 4×4 squares, $120-$125. Ground and delivered locally to feed lots and dairies, $205-$215. Sun-cured alfalfa pellets, 15% protein, $295-$300, 17% protein, $305-$310. Bluestem grass hay, CRP large rounds, $75/ton. Sudan, large 4×4 squares, $110-$115 delivered. For the week ending March 16, 7,946 tons of grinding alfalfa and 1,050 tons of dairy alfalfa was reported bought or sold. The average paid by feedlots on March 1 for alfalfa ground and delivered was $228.48, down $14.33 from the previous month, usage was 590 tons/day, up 14 % from last month and total usage was 16,520 tons.

South central—Trade activity is slow to moderate. Dairy alfalfa prices are $ .05/point RFV lower. Grinding alfalfa, ground and delivered, and alfalfa pellet all steady. Alfalfa: Dairy $1.30-$1.40/point RFV. Good stock cow, $200-$220. Fair/good grinding alfalfa, large rounds, $150–$160 delivered, 3×4 and 4×4 squares, $155-$165 delivered. Alfalfa ground and delivered, $190-$200. Sun-cured alfalfa pellets, 15% protein, $290-$300, 17% protein, $300-$310, dehydrated 17% protein, $400-$405. Bluestem grass hay, small squares, $200, large rounds, $100-$120. Sudan, large rounds, $70-$80. For the week ending March 16, 6,731.5 tons of grinding alfalfa and 1,100 tons of dairy alfalfa was reported bought or sold. The average paid by feedlots on March 1 for alfalfa ground and delivered was $206.51, down $10.39 from the previous month, usage was 215 tons/day, up .50 % from last month and total usage was 6,232 tons.

Southeast—Trade activity is slow. Dairy alfalfa price is steady, bluestem and brome hay price steady. Dairy $1.35-$1.45/point RFV. Fair/good grinding alfalfa, large 3×4 squares, $185-$195. Bluestem grass hay, small squares, $200-$205, large rounds, $140-$150, large 3×4 and 4×4 squares, $160-$170. Brome, small squares, $200-$205, large 3×4 and 4×4 squares, $180-$200. Corn stalks, large rounds, $55-$65. For the week ending March 16, 1,314 tons of grass hay was reported bought or sold.

Northwest­—Trade activity is slow. Dairy alfalfa steady, grinding alfalfa prices are steady to $5 lower. Alfalfa: horse, small squares, $13.25/bale. Dairy, Premium/Supreme $1.40-$1.50/point RFV. Good alfalfa 3×3 squares, $200, premium, 3×3 squares, $280, Fair/good grinding alfalfa, $180-$190. Sudan, large rounds, $60-$70.

North central/northeast—Trade activity is slow. Dairy alfalfa, $ .05/point RFV lower. Grinding alfalfa steady, ground and delivered steady. Grass hay steady. Alfalfa: Dairy $1.35-$1.40/point RFV; Premium horse hay, small squares, $12/bale; Stock cow 3×4 squares, $200-$230. Fair/good, grinding alfalfa, large rounds, $145-$155, large 3×4 squares, $160-$170. Alfalfa ground and delivered, $200-$210, alfalfa/sudan mix ground and delivered, $195-$205. Bluestem grass hay, small squares, $7-$8/bale, large rounds, $135-$145, large 3×4 and 4×4 squares, $175-$185. Brome, large rounds, $160-$170, large 3×4 and 4×4 squares, $170-$180. Corn stalks, $60-$70. Milo stalks, $75-$85. Soybean stalks, large rounds, $85-$95. Wheat straw, large rounds and large squares, $105-$115. For the week ending March 16, 119 tons of grinding alfalfa and 407 tons of dairy alfalfa was reported bought or sold.

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