Despite steady hay prices, demand light and trades still slow in Kansas
This past week, demand was light, and trades remained slow, according to the Kansas Department of Agriculture-USDA Market News Service, March 18.
Prices were mostly steady. Contributors to the hay market report, state that trades are incredibly slow. Many have not seen anything like this before and equate low cattle numbers to the lack of hay sales. However, producers also state that before they sell their hay below production cost, they will shed it or feed it to their own livestock. Contributors also talked about the worsening drought conditions, not just across Kansas, but other Great Plains states. Many indicated that it might be wise to hold onto the 2024 hay that they have been unable to sell. Prices based on averages and given on a per-ton basis, unless otherwise noted.
Southwest—Demand, light to moderate. Trade activity is slow to moderate. Dairy alfalfa, grinding alfalfa, alfalfa and ground and delivered, steady. Alfalfa: Dairy, $1.05-$1.15/point RFV. Good stock or dry cow hay, $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 15, it was reported 4,716.50 tons of grinding alfalfa and 12.5 tons of dairy alfalfa was bought or sold.
South central—Demand, light to moderate. Trade activity is slow to moderate. Dairy alfalfa and ground and delivered, steady. Alfalfa pellet mostly steady. Grinding alfalfa steady to $5 lower. Alfalfa: Dairy $1-$1.10/point RFV. Good stock cow, $110-$120. Fair/good grinding alfalfa, large rounds, $105–$115 delivered, 3×4 and 4×4 squares, $100-$115 delivered. Alfalfa ground and delivered, $140-$150. Sun-cured alfalfa pellets, 15% protein, $220-$225, 17% protein, $225-$230, 17% dehydrated, $340. Sudan, large rounds, $50-$60. For the week ending March15, it was reported 6,546.50 tons of grinding alfalfa and 150 tons of dairy alfalfa was bought or sold.
Southeast—Demand light. Trade activity is slow. Dairy alfalfa, bluestem and brome hay price, steady. Alfalfa: horse or goat, none reported. Dairy, $1.05-$1.10/point RFV. Good stock cow, $120-$125. 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, $100-$120. 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 15, it was reported 1,436 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, grinding alfalfa, ground and delivered steady. Brome and bluestem grass steady. Alfalfa: Dairy $1.10-$1.20/point RFV. Horse or goat alfalfa, small squares, $13/bale. Good stock cow, $140-$150. Fair/good, grinding alfalfa, large rounds, $80-$90, 3×4 and 4×4 squares, $100-$105. 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 15, it was reported 409.5 tons of grinding alfalfa and 117 tons of dairy alfalfa was bought or sold.
Source: Kansas Department of Agriculture-USDA Market News Service, Manhattan, Kansas.
