Hay trades slow to moderate, demand still light in Kansas
This past week, demand was light, and trades were slow to moderate, according to the Kansas Department of Agriculture-USDA Market News Service, Feb. 25.
Prices were mostly steady with some downward pressure on last year’s hay. There still seems to be plenty of hay to purchase, if buyers and sellers can come to an agreement on price. Mother nature threw below freezing temperatures and snow at us last week, while providing us with warm weather and thoughts of spring planting this week. Prices are based on averages and given on a per-ton basis, unless otherwise noted.
Southwest—Demand, moderate. Trade activity is moderate. Dairy alfalfa steady, grinding alfalfa price steady. Alfalfa and ground and delivered $5 higher. Alfalfa: Dairy, $1.05-$1.15/point RFV. Good stock or dry cow, $115-$125. Fair/good, grinding alfalfa, large rounds, $100-$110, large squares, $100-$110. Ground and delivered locally to feed lots and dairies, $150-$160. Bluestem grass hay, large rounds and squares, $80-$85 delivered. For the week ending Feb. 22, it was reported 13,387 tons of grinding alfalfa and 50 tons of dairy alfalfa was bought or sold.
South central—Demand, moderate. Trade activity is slow to moderate. Dairy alfalfa, grinding alfalfa, Ground and delivered and alfalfa pellet price, steady. 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, $225-$230, 17% dehydrated, $350. Sudan, large rounds, $50-$60. For the week ending Feb. 22, it was reported 6,537 tons of grinding alfalfa and 112.5 tons of dairy alfalfa was bought or sold.
Southeast—Demand light. Trade activity is slow. Dairy alfalfa, and brome hay price, steady. Bluestem $10 lower. Dairy, $1.05-$1.10/point RFV. Fair/good grinding alfalfa, large squares, $105-$115. Bluestem grass hay, small squares, $160-$165, large rounds, $80-$95, 3×4 and 4×4 squares, $95-$100. Brome, small squares, $6-$10/bale, large rounds, $100-$110, 3×4 and 4×4 squares, $115-$130. Wheat straw, large squares, $70. For the week ending Feb. 22, it was reported 1,395.50 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 to moderate. Trade activity is slow. Dairy alfalfa and ground and delivered steady. Brome grass and bluestem hay $10 lower. Grinding alfalfa $5 lower. Alfalfa: Dairy $1.10-$1.20/point RFV; Horse or goat alfalfa, small squares, $13/bale. Good stock cow, $145-$155. Fair/good, grinding alfalfa, large rounds, $90-$95, 3×4 and 4×4 squares, $110-$115. Alfalfa ground and delivered, $135-$145. Bluestem grass hay, small squares, $8-$8.50/bale, large rounds, $80-$90, large squares, $90-$100. Brome, small squares, $8-$9/bale, large rounds, $80-$90. For the week ending Feb. 22, it was reported 667 tons of grinding alfalfa and 87.5 tons of dairy alfalfa was bought or sold.
Source: Kansas Department of Agriculture-USDA Market News Service, Manhattan, Kansas.
