Kansas hay trades, demand still slow 

Producers can reduce hay loss with proper storage, says University of Missouri Extension specialist Charles Ellis. (Photo courtesy of Kyle Spradley, MU College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources.)

This past week, demand was light, and trades remained slow, according to the Kansas Department of Agriculture-USDA Market News Service, April 1. 

Prices were mostly steady. According to the U.S. Drought Monitor for the week of March 25, with the northern Plains’ drought occurring at multiple time scales, current impacts include poor conditions for rangeland, pastures, and winter wheat. Prices are based on averages and given on a per-ton basis, unless otherwise noted.

Southwest—Demand, light. Trade activity is slow. 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 CRP, $75/bale. For the week ending March 29, it was reported 4,557 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, steady. Alfalfa pellet steady. Alfalfa: Dairy $1-$1.10/point RFV. Good stock cow, $115-$125. 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 March 29, it was reported 6,599.50 tons of grinding alfalfa and 200 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. Good, stock cow, $120-$125. Fair/good grinding alfalfa, large squares, $105-$115. Bluestem grass hay, small squares, $145-$160, 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 29, it was reported 1,686.50 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, 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, $75-$85, 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, $65-$75, large squares, $85-$95. Brome, small squares, $8-$9/bale, large rounds, $80-$90. For the week ending March 29, it was reported 638 tons of grinding alfalfa and 1,525 tons of dairy alfalfa was bought or sold.

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