Kansas hay demand light, trades still slow to moderate
This past week, demand was light, and trades remained slow to moderate, according to the Kansas Department of Agriculture-USDA Market News Service, March 4.
Prices were mostly steady with some downward pressure on grinding alfalfa and grass hay. Hay to purchase remains plentiful with a few folks thinking of getting rid of last year’s hay before it is time for new crop. Prices are based on averages and given on a per-ton basis, unless otherwise noted.
Southwest—Demand, light to moderate. Trade activity is moderate. Dairy alfalfa, grinding alfalfa, alfalfa and ground and delivered, steady. 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 March 1, it was reported 9,383 tons of grinding alfalfa and 25 tons of dairy alfalfa was bought or sold.
South central—Demand, light to 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, $110-$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 March 1, it was reported 6,401 tons of grinding alfalfa and 112.5 tons of 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, $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, $110-$125. Wheat straw, large squares, $70. For the week ending March 1, it was reported 2,083 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 round and squares, $90-$100.
North central/northeast—Demand light to moderate. Trade activity is slow. Dairy alfalfa, ground and delivered steady. Brome grass steady. Grinding alfalfa in the bale and bluestem hay $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, $85-$90, 3×4 and 4×4 squares, $105-$110. Alfalfa ground and delivered, $135-$145. Bluestem grass hay, small squares, $8-$8.50/bale, large rounds, $75-$85, large squares, $85-$95. Brome, small squares, $8-$9/bale, large rounds, $80-$90. For the week ending March 1, it was reported 683 tons of grinding alfalfa and 154.5 tons of dairy alfalfa was reported bought or sold.
Source: Kansas Department of Agriculture-USDA Market News Service, Manhattan, Kansas.
PHOTO: Hay bales (Journal photo by Lacey Newlin)
