Demand remains low to moderate 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 16.

There still seems to be no interest in buying and no new crop pricing has been reported. The word “drought” is on many producers’ minds and lips, as warm, dry, and windy weather has dominated. Some regions report a blue tinge to the wheat and the alfalfa fields are exhibiting some stress. Prices are based on averages and 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 $10 lower. Alfalfa: Dairy, $1.35-$1.45/point RFV. Fair/good grinding alfalfa, large rounds, $115-$125, large 3×4 and 4×4 squares, $115-$125. Ground and delivered locally to feed lots and dairies, $180-$190. Sun-cured alfalfa pellets, 15% protein, $195-$200, 17% protein, $205-$210. Teff, small squares, $9/bale. For the week ending April 13, 6,427 tons of grinding alfalfa and 250 tons of dairy alfalfa was reported bought or sold. The average paid by feedlots on April 1 for alfalfa ground and delivered was $211.47, down $17.01 from the previous month, usage was 626 tons/day, up 6 % from last month and total usage was 19,407 tons.

South central—Demand low to moderate. Trade activity is slow to moderate. Dairy alfalfa prices steady. Grinding alfalfa steady, Ground and delivered price steady, and Alfalfa pellets $10-$15 lower. 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, $280-$285, 17% protein, $280-$285, dehydrated 17% protein, $385-$400. Grass hay: Bluestem, small squares $200, large rounds $100-$120, large square 3×4’s none reported. Sudan, large rounds $70-$80. For the week ending April 13, 5,268 tons of grinding alfalfa and 150 tons of dairy alfalfa was reported bought or sold. The average paid by feedlots on April 1 for alfalfa ground and delivered was $201.29, down $5.22 from the previous month, usage was 224 tons/day, up 4% from last month and total usage was 6,947 tons.

Southeast—Demand low. Trade activity is slow. Dairy alfalfa price is steady, Bluestem and brome hay price steady. Dairy $1.35-$1.45/point RFV. 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 squares, $180-$200. Corn stalks, large rounds, $55-$65. For the week ending April 13, 982 tons of grass hay was reported bought or sold.

Northwest—Demand low. Trade activity is slow. Dairy alfalfa $.05/point lower, grinding alfalfa prices are steady. Horse alfalfa, small squares, $13.25/bale. Dairy, premium/supreme, $1.35-$1.45/point RFV. Good alfalfa, 3×3 squares, $180; premium, 3×3 squares, $225. Sudan large rounds, $60-$70.

North central/northeast—Demand low. Trade activity is slow. Dairy alfalfa $.05./point lower. Grinding alfalfa steady, ground and delivered, $5-$10 lower. Grass hay mostly steady. Alfalfa: Dairy $1.30-$1.40/point RFV. Premium horse hay, small squares, $13/bale. Fair/good, grinding alfalfa, large rounds, $150-$160, large 3×4 squares, $160-$170. Alfalfa ground and delivered, $185-$200. Alfalfa/sudan mix ground and delivered, $195-$205. Bluestem grass hay, small squares, $8-$9/bale, large rounds, $115-$135, large 3×4 and 4×4 squares, $140-$150. Brome, small squares, $10-14/bale, large rounds, $95-100/bale. For the week ending April 13, 567 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.