Few more hay loads traded recently

Hay bales (Journal photo by Jennifer M. Latzke)

Demand is low and trade activity is slow although there have been a few more loads traded this past week, according to the Kansas Department of Agriculture-USDA Market News Service, June 4.

Producers continue planting, swathing, and spraying across the state. New crop pricing is still slow to come in, as folks try to clear their barns of last season’s hay. Precipitation fell across much of the region last week, which was enough to prevent further degradation but not enough to warrant large improvements. Prices are based on averages and given on a per-ton basis, unless otherwise noted.

Southwest—Demand low. Trade activity is slow to moderate. Dairy alfalfa prices are steady to $0.05 lower. Grinding alfalfa price steady to $5 higher, ground and delivered alfalfa price mostly steady. Alfalfa: Dairy, $1.30-$1.40/point RFV. Fair/good, old crop grinding alfalfa, large rounds, $110-$120, large 3×4’s and 4×4 squares, $110-$120. Ground and delivered locally to feed lots and dairies, $160-$175. Teff, small squares, $9-$10/bale. Grass hay:, CRP large rounds, $75-$80/bale. For the week ending June 1, 12,241 tons of grinding alfalfa and 75 tons of dairy alfalfa was reported bought or sold.

South central—Demand low. Trade activity is slow. Dairy alfalfa prices steady. Grinding alfalfa mostly steady, alfalfa pellet price steady to $5 lower; Ground and delivered priced $10 lower. Alfalfa: Dairy $1.30-$1.40/point RFV. Fair/good old crop grinding alfalfa, large rounds, $130–$140 delivered, 3×4 and 4×4 squares, $130-$145 delivered. Alfalfa ground and delivered, $175-$185. Sun-cured alfalfa pellets, 15% protein, $270-$275, 17% protein, $275-$280, dehydrated 17% protein, $385-$400. Bluestem grass hay, large rounds and large squares, $125-$130. For the week ending June 1, 4,604 tons of grinding alfalfa and 1,300 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 June 1, 1,301.50 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. 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, $120-130/ton, large 3×4 and 4×4 squares, $130-$140/ton. Brome, small squares, $10-14/bale, large rounds, $95-$100/bale. Wheat straw, large squares, $100-$110. For the week ending June 1, 369 tons of grinding alfalfa and 1,378.5 tons of dairy alfalfa was reported bought or sold.

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