Demand is still low, and it seems no one is too anxious to buy or sell hay, according to the Kansas Department of Agriculture-USDA Market News Service, May 14.
There has been no talk of new crop pricing yet, with most people saying they are not talking new crop until old crop is gone. This may take a bit as hay stocks are estimated to be at 1.25 million tons, up 74% from last year. In addition, several feed yards are still working through silage piles and previously purchased hay. Several producers state, however, that they have sold their first cut of new crop, but no price has been determined. Currently, hay is either starting to hit the ground or soon will be. 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 $10 lower, ground and delivered alfalfa price $25 lower. Alfalfa: Dairy, $1.35-$1.45/point RFV. Fair/good, old crop grinding alfalfa, large rounds, $105-$115, large 3×4 and 4×4 squares, $105-$120. Ground and delivered locally to feed lots and dairies, $150-$160. Teff, small squares, $9/bale. CRP grass hay, large rounds, $75/bale. For the week ending May 11, 6,420 tons of grinding alfalfa and no dairy alfalfa was reported bought or sold. The average paid by feedlots on May 1 for alfalfa ground and delivered was $218.38, up $6.91 from the previous month. Usage was 506 tons/day, down 19% from last month and total usage was 15,183 tons.
South central—Demand low. Trade activity is slow. Dairy alfalfa prices steady. Grinding alfalfa steady to $5 lower and alfalfa pellet price mostly steady; ground and delivered steady. Alfalfa: Dairy $1.30-$1.40/point RFV. Good stock cow, $190-$200. Fair/good grinding alfalfa, large rounds, $135–$140 delivered, 3×4 and 4×4 squares, $135-$140 delivered. Alfalfa ground and delivered, $185-$195. Sun-cured alfalfa pellets, 15% protein, $275-$280, 17% protein, $280-$285, dehydrated 17% protein, $385-$400. Bluestem grass hay, small squares, $200. For the week ending May 11, 4,298.5 tons of grinding alfalfa and 1,050 tons of dairy alfalfa was reported bought or sold. The average paid by feedlots on May 1 for alfalfa ground and delivered was $192.11, down $9.18 from the previous month. Usage was 210 tons/day, down 6% from last month and total usage was 6,285 tons.
Southeast—Demand low. Trade activity is slow. Dairy alfalfa price is steady, bluestem $5 to $10 lower and brome hay price steady. Dairy $1.35-$1.45/point RFV. Bluestem grass hay, small squares, $200-$205, large rounds, $130-$140, large 3×4 and 4×4 squares, $150-$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 May 11 1,328.5 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. Fair/good grinding alfalfa, $100. Sudan, large rounds, $60-$70.
North central/northeast—Demand low. Trade activity is slow. Dairy alfalfa steady, grinding alfalfa $10-$25 lower, ground and delivered $5 lower, and grass hay steady. Alfalfa: Dairy $1.30-$1.40/point RFV. Premium horse hay, small squares, $13/bale. Fair/good, grinding alfalfa, large rounds, $140-$160, large 3×4 squares, $165-$175. Alfalfa ground and delivered, $175-$185. Bluestem grass hay, small squares, $8-$9/bale, large rounds, $75-$85/bale, large 3×4 and 4×4 squares, $130-$140/ton. Brome, small squares, $10-14/bale, large rounds, $95-$100/bale. For the week ending May 11, 461 tons of grinding alfalfa and 325 tons of dairy alfalfa was reported bought or sold.
Source: Kansas Department of Agriculture-USDA Market News Service, Manhattan, Kansas.
