Low to moderate demand for all hay types

Compared to the last report, demand remains low to moderate for all hay and prices are soft for all regions, according to the Kansas Department of Agriculture-USDA Market News Service, April 9.

There still seems to be no interest in buying and no new crop pricing has been reported as folks are trying to get rid of or use up their old crop before committing to new crop. Many areas are reporting they could use a rain, with warm and windy conditions exacerbating the situation. Alfalfa producers are spraying for weevil, as the wind allows, and some have begun irrigating. Prices are based on averages and are given on a per-ton basis, unless otherwise noted.

Southwest—Demand low. Trade activity is slow. Dairy alfalfa prices are steady. Grinding alfalfa price steady, and Ground and delivered alfalfa price $15 lower. 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, $190-$200. Alfalfa pellets: Sun cured 15% protein $295-300, 17% protein $305-$310. Grass Hay: bluestem CRP large rounds $75/ton. Sudan, large square 4×4’s $110-$115 delivered. For the week ending April 6, 5,571 tons of grinding alfalfa and 325 tons of dairy alfalfa was reported bought or sold.

South central—Demand low to moderate. Trade activity is slow to moderate. Dairy alfalfa prices steady. Grinding alfalfa $5 lower, Ground and delivered price steady, and alfalfa pellets also steady. Alfalfa: Dairy $1.30-$1.40/point RFV. Good stock cow, $190-$200. Fair/good grinding alfalfa, large rounds, $140–$150 delivered, 3×4 and 4×4 squares, $140-$150 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 April 6, 6,464.5 tons of grinding alfalfa and 150 tons of dairy alfalfa was reported bought or sold.

Southeast—Demand low. Trade activity is slow. Dairy alfalfa price is steady, Bluestem and brome hay price steady. Horse or goat alfalfa, 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 square 3×4 and 4×4’s, $180-$200. Corn stalks, large rounds, $55-$65.For the week ending April 6, 973 tons of grass hay was reported bought or sold.

Northwest—Demand low. 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, 3×3 squares, $200, premium, 3×3 squares, $280. Fair/good grinding alfalfa, $180-$190. Sudan, large rounds, $60-$70.

North central/northeast—Demand low. Trade activity is slow. Dairy alfalfa steady. Grinding alfalfa steady, Ground and delivered $5 lower. Grass hay $5 lower. Alfalfa: Dairy $1.35-$1.40/point RFV. Premium horse hay, small squares, $13/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, $195-$205, alfalfa/sudan mix ground and delivered, $195-$205. Bluestem grass hay, small squares, $8-$9/bale, large rounds, $135-$145, large 3×4 and 4×4 squares, $170-$180. Brome, small squares, $10-14/bale, large rounds, $95-100/bale. 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 April 6, 544 tons of grinding alfalfa and 123 tons of dairy alfalfa was reported bought or sold.

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