Hay demand remains low, prices soft

Compared to the last report, demand remains low for all hay and prices are soft for all regions, according to the Kansas Department of Agriculture-USDA Market News Service, April 23.

Warm, windy and dry conditions, in the western two-thirds of the state, continues to affect both the wheat crop and alfalfa crop, which are going backwards. There still is not much interest in purchasing old crop grinder hay let alone new crop, as most buyers are still working through what’s left of last year’s inventory. 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, and ground and delivered alfalfa price steady. Alfalfa: Dairy, $1.35-$1.45/point RFV. Fair/good grinding alfalfa, large , $115-$125, large 3×4 and 4×4 squares, $115-$125. Ground and delivered locally to feed lots and dairies, $180-$190. Teff, small squares, $9/bale. For the week ending April 20, 4,518 tons of grinding alfalfa and no dairy alfalfa was reported bought or sold.

South central—Demand low. Trade activity is slow. Dairy alfalfa prices steady. Grinding alfalfa $5 lower, Ground and delivered and alfalfa pellet price steady. Alfalfa: Dairy $1.30-$1.40/point RFV. Good stock cow, $190-$200. Fair/good grinding alfalfa, large rounds, $135–$145 delivered, 3×4 and 4×4 squares, $135-$145 delivered. Alfalfa ground and delivered, $190-$200. Sun-cured alfalfa pellets, 15% protein, $280-$285, 17% protein, $280-$285, dehydrated 17% protein, $385-$400. Bluestem grass hay, small squares, $200. For the week ending April 20, 4,723 tons of grinding alfalfa and 175 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. 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, $165-$175. Brome, small squares, $200-$205, large 3×4 and 4×4 squares, $180-$200. Corn stalks,: large rounds, $55-$65. For the week ending April 20, 959 tons of grass hay was reported bought or sold.

Northwest—Demand low. Trade activity is slow. Dairy alfalfa, 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, grinding alfalfa. Ground and delivered steady. 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-$170, large 3×4 squares, $165-$175. 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 20, 488 tons of grinding alfalfa and 148 tons of dairy alfalfa was reported bought or sold.

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