Demand still very light for all hay types

Demand is still very light for all hay offerings, according to the Kansas Department of Agriculture-USDA Market News Service, July 16.

Hay prices, across the board, continue to weaken as new hay hits the ground. Feedyards do not seem to be buying much with lower cattle numbers and an abundance of other feed options out there along with the availability of 2023 carry over hay. Second cut alfalfa is being finished up and producers are starting on third. Yields have had mixed results. First cutting for many areas was light with second being better. Prices are based on averages and given on a per-ton basis, unless otherwise noted.

Southwest—Demand light. Trade activity is slow. Dairy alfalfa prices are steady. Grinding alfalfa price steady to $5 lower and ground and delivered alfalfa price steady. Alfalfa: Dairy, $1.15-$1.25/point RFV. Fair/good, old crop grinding alfalfa, large rounds, $115-$125 delivered, new crop, $115-$125 delivered, old crop large 3×4 and 4×4 squares, $110-$120, new crop $110-$120 delivered. Ground and delivered locally to feed lots and dairies, $155-$170. Triticale, large squares, $85-$95, ground and delivered $155. For the week ending July 13, 3,245 tons of grinding alfalfa and 75 tons of dairy alfalfa was reported bought or sold. The average paid by feedlots on July 1 for alfalfa ground and delivered was $188.60, down $20.11 from the previous month. Usage was 550 tons/day, down 6% from last month and total usage was 16,491.5 tons.

South central—Demand light. Trade activity is slow. Dairy alfalfa prices are steady. Grinding alfalfa steady. Ground and delivered steady, and alfalfa pellet price all steady to $5 lower. Alfalfa: Dairy $1.15-$1.25/point RFV. Fair/good old crop grinding alfalfa, large rounds, $120–$130 delivered, new crop, $120-$130 delivered, old crop 3×4 and 4×4 squares, $110-$120 delivered, new crop, $110-$120 delivered. Alfalfa ground and delivered, $150-$165. Sun-cured alfalfa pellets, 15% protein, $255-$265, 17% protein, $275-$280, dehydrated 17% protein, $385-$400. Bluestem grass hay, large rounds and large squares, $120-$130. For the week ending July 13, 8,119.5 tons of grinding alfalfa and 375 tons of dairy alfalfa was reported bought or sold. The average paid by feedlots on July 1 for alfalfa ground and delivered was $164.96, down $14.54 from the previous month. Usage was 241 tons/day, down 2% from last month and total usage was 7,238 tons.

Southeast—Demand light. Trade activity is slow. Bluestem $5 lower and brome hay price steady. Good stock cow, new crop, $130. Bluestem grass hay, old crop small squares, $180-$200, large round old crop, $125-$135, large square, old crop 3×4 and 4×4 squares, $150-$160. Brome, old crop small squares, $200-$205, new crop $160-$170.

Northwest—Demand light. Trade activity is slow. Grinding alfalfa prices are steady. Horse alfalfa, small squares, $13.25/bale. Fair/good alfalfa old crop, 3×3 squares, $120. Fair/good grinding alfalfa, $100.

North central/northeast—Demand light. Trade activity is slow. Dairy alfalfa price is steady, grinding alfalfa steady to$5 lower, ground and delivered steady, and grass hay mostly steady. Alfalfa: Dairy $1.15-$1.25/point RFV; Horse hay, premium small squares, $13/bale. Old crop fair/good, grinding alfalfa, large rounds, $85-$95, new crop large rounds, $85-$95. Old crop alfalfa ground and delivered, $150-$170. Bluestem grass hay, small squares, $8-$9/bale, large rounds, $100-$110, large 3×4 and 4×4 squares, $130-$135/ton. Brome, old crop small squares, $10-$14/bale, new crop large rounds, $120-$140, new crop, large squares, $145-$155. Wheat straw, large rounds, $60-$70. For the week ending July 13, 619 tons of grinding alfalfa and 285 tons of dairy alfalfa was reported bought or sold.

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