Hay demand still low, trade slow in Kansas

Demand is still low and trade activity slow, although there were a couple large sales of old crop alfalfa, according to the Kansas Department of Agriculture-USDA Market News Service, May 21.

Folks are trying to clean out old crop hay from their barns to get ready for new season hay. New crop price is still elusive, however, with not many wanting to commit till old crop is gone. Prices are based on averages and given on a per-ton basis, unless noted otherwise.

Southwest—Demand low. Trade activity is slow to moderate. Dairy alfalfa prices are steady. Grinding alfalfa price steady, ground and delivered alfalfa price $10 higher. 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, $160-$170. Teff, small squares $9/bale. Grass hay, CRP large rounds, $75/bale. For the week ending May 18, 10,798 tons of grinding alfalfa and no of dairy alfalfa was reported bought or sold.

South central—Demand low. Trade activity is slow. Dairy alfalfa prices steady. Grinding alfalfa steady, alfalfa pellet price steady; Ground and delivered steady. Alfalfa: Dairy $1.30-$1.40/point RFV. Good stock cow, $190-$200. Fair/good old crop 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, large rounds and large squares, $125-$130. For the week ending May 18, 4,801.5 tons of grinding alfalfa and 1,050 tons of dairy alfalfa was reported bought or sold.

Southeast—Demand low. Trade activity is slow. Dairy alfalfa price is steady, Bluestem, 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 18, 1,349.5 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 steady, ground and delivered steady, and grass hay steady to $5 higher. Alfalfa: Dairy $1.30-$1.40/point RFV. Premium horse hay, small squares, $13/bale. Fair/good, grinding alfalfa, large rounds, $140-$160, 3×4 large squares, $165-$175. Alfalfa ground and delivered, $175-$185. Bluestem grass hay, small squares, $8-$9/bale, large rounds, $80-$90/bale, large 3×4 and 4×4 squares $130-$140/ton. Brome, small squares, $10-14/bale, large rounds, $95-100/bale. Wheat straw, large square, $100-$110. For the week ending May 18, 415 tons of grinding alfalfa and 441 tons of dairy alfalfa was reported bought or sold.

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