Hay demand remains slow to moderate for all hay types

Compared to the last report, demand remains slow to moderate for all hay and prices were again, mostly steady for all regions, according to the Kansas Department of Agriculture-USDA Market News Service, April 2.

Most of the hay that is moving is on previously contracted hay. No new crop pricing has been reported so far, as folks seem to be trying to figure out what Mother Nature is going to do and what their carry over will be. 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 and 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 30, 6,836 tons of grinding alfalfa and 100T of dairy alfalfa was reported bought or sold.

South central—Trade activity is slow to moderate. Dairy alfalfa prices steady. Grinding alfalfa mostly steady, Ground and delivered steady, and alfalfa pellets all mostly steady. Alfalfa: Dairy $1.30-$1.40/point RFV. Good stock cow, $190-$200. Fair/good grinding alfalfa, large rounds, $145–$155 delivered, 3×4 and 4×4 squares, $145-$155 delivered. Alfalfa ground and delivered, $190-$200. Sun-cured alfalfa pellets, 15% protein, $290-$300, 17% protein, $290-$300, 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 30, 7,177.5 tons of grinding alfalfa and 1,075 tons of dairy alfalfa was reported bought or sold.

Southeast—Trade activity is slow. Dairy alfalfa price is steady, bluestem and brome hay price steady. Alfalfa: horse or goat, none reported. 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, $170-$180. 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 30, 1,439 tons of grass hay was reported bought or sold.

Northwest—Trade activity is slow. Dairy alfalfa steady, grinding alfalfa prices are steady. Horse alfalfa, small squares, $13.25/bale. Dairy, premium/supreme, $1.40-$1.50/point RFV. Good alfalfa, large 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 steady. Grinding alfalfa steady. Ground and delivered steady. Grass hay mostly 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, $8-$9/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, $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 30 142 tons of grinding alfalfa and 290 tons of dairy alfalfa was reported bought or sold.

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