Kansas hay demand remains light, prices remain mostly steady

Cattle in winter beside bails of hay (Photo: iStock │ #152996510 - knapjames)

For the week ending Jan. 18, demand remains light, despite the winter weather and prices remain mostly steady, according to the Kansas Department of Agriculture-USDA Market News Service, Jan. 21. 

The supply of hay available remains heavy. Prices are based on averages and given on a per-ton basis, unless otherwise noted.

Southwest—Demand light. Trade activity is slow to moderate. Dairy alfalfa, grinding alfalfa and ground and delivered price steady. Alfalfa: Dairy, $1.05-$1.15/point RFV. Good stock or dry cow hay, $115-$125. Fair/good, grinding alfalfa, large rounds, $95-$100, large squares, $95-100. Ground and delivered locally to feed lots and dairies, $140-$150. For the week ending Jan. 18, it was reported 4,890 tons of grinding alfalfa and 100 tons of dairy alfalfa was bought or sold

South central—Demand light. Trade activity is slow. Dairy alfalfa, grinding alfalfa, and alfalfa pellet price, steady. Ground and delivered price $5 lower. Alfalfa: Dairy $1-$1.10/point RFV. Good stock cow, $100-$120. Fair/good grinding alfalfa, large rounds, $100–$110 delivered, 3×4 and 4×4 squares, $100-$110 delivered. Alfalfa ground and delivered, $140-$150. Sun-cured alfalfa pellets, 15% protein, $220-$225, 17% protein, $230-$235, 17% dehydrated, $350. Sudan, large rounds, $55-$65. For the week ending Jan. 18, it was reported 5,413 tons of grinding alfalfa and no dairy alfalfa was bought or sold.

Southeast—Demand light. Trade activity is slow. Dairy alfalfa, bluestem and brome hay price, steady. Dairy, $1.05-$1.10/point RFV. Fair/good grinding alfalfa, large squares, $115-$125. Bluestem grass hay, small squares, $160-$180, large rounds, $85-$100, 3×4 and 4×4 squares, $95-$110. Brome, small squares, $6-$10/bale, large rounds $100-$110, 3×4 and 4×4 squares, $125-$135. Wheat straw, large squares, $70. For the week ending Jan. 18, it was reported 1,622 tons of grass hay was bought or sold.

Northwest—Little to no demand. Trade activity is slow. Horse alfalfa, $175-$185. Fair/good grinding alfalfa, large rounds and squares, $90-$100. 

North central/northeast—Demand light. Trade activity is slow. Dairy alfalfa price, ground and delivered and grass hay all steady. Grinding alfalfa mostly steady. Alfalfa: Dairy $1.10-$1.20/point RFV. Horse or goat alfalfa, small squares, $12/bale. Good stock cow, $145-$155. Fair/good, grinding alfalfa, large rounds, $90-$100, 3×4 and 4×4 squares, $115-$120. Alfalfa ground and delivered, $135-$145. Bluestem grass hay, small squares, $8-$9/bale, large rounds, $80-$100, large squares, $110-$120. Brome, small squares, $9-$10/bale, large 3×4 and 4×4 squares, $130 delivered. For the week ending Jan. 18, it was reported 546 tons of grinding alfalfa and 50 tons of dairy alfalfa was bought or sold.

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