Kansas hay demand light, trades pick up some
This past week, demand was light, and trades picked up a bit, according to the Kansas Department of Agriculture-USDA Market News Service, April 15.
Prices were steady for all regions. Two words seem to be on everyone’s lips “dry” and “drought.” Although the wheat and alfalfa look pretty good so far, if rain is not received soon, they will begin to go backwards. The dry conditions are prompting some to be a little more reluctant to give up their hay at these lower prices. Pellets, however, don’t seem to have a problem going out the door. Weevils have arrived in the state, and producers are greeting them with a couple rounds of insecticide. Prices are based on averages and given on a per-ton basis, unless otherwise noted.
Southwest—Demand, light. Trade activity is slow. Dairy alfalfa, alfalfa and ground and delivered, steady. Grinding alfalfa mostly steady. Alfalfa: Dairy, $1-$1.10/point RFV. Good stock or dry cow hay, $115-$125. Fair/good, grinding alfalfa, large rounds, $95-$105, large squares, $95-105. Ground and delivered locally to feed lots and dairies, $150-$160. Bluestem grass hay, large rounds CRP, $75/bale. For the week ending April 12, it was reported 6,116.5 tons of grinding alfalfa and no dairy alfalfa was bought or sold. The average paid by feedlots on April 1 for alfalfa ground and delivered was $150.47, down $2.17 from the previous month. Usage was 585 tons/day, up 13.5% from last month and total usage was 18,124.5 tons.
South central—Demand, light to moderate. Trade activity is slow to moderate. Dairy alfalfa, grinding alfalfa, ground and delivered, and alfalfa pellet steady. Alfalfa: Dairy $0.95-$1.05/point RFV. Good stock cow, $115-$125. Fair/good grinding alfalfa, large rounds, $110–$120 delivered, 3×4 and 4×4 squares, $105-$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 April 12, it was reported 8,123.5 tons of grinding alfalfa and 75 tons of dairy alfalfa was bought or sold. The average paid by feedlots on April 1 for alfalfa ground and delivered was $137.71, up $0.71 from the previous month. Usage was 175 tons/day, down 33% from last month and total usage was 5,422.5 tons.
Southeast—Demand light. Trade activity is slow. Dairy alfalfa, bluestem and brome hay price, steady. Horse or goat alfalfa, small squares, $7.50-$8.50/bale delivered. Dairy, $1.05-$1.10/point RFV. Good, stock cow, $120-$125. 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, $100-$110. Wheat straw, large squares, $70.
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-$1.05/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. Wheat straw, large rounds, $60-$70. For the week ending April 12, 615 tons of grinding alfalfa and 1,425 tons of dairy alfalfa was reported bought or sold.
Source: Kansas Department of Agriculture-USDA Market News Service, Manhattan, Kansas.
