Mixed hay prices in Kansas with still light demand
This past week, demand was light, but trade bumped up a bit. Prices were mixed. Producers state there was a bit more interest in purchasing hay last week but still had difficulty coming to an agreement on price. Many also reported that they had sold out of hay or had sold all they are going to for the year, with the anticipated dry summer approaching. Drought is taking its toll on the plants with reports of alfalfa and wheat stands going backwards. Pivots have already been fired in many areas out west for a while now. 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-$1.10/point RFV. Good stock or dry cow, $120-$130. 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 19, it was reported 6,286.5 tons of grinding alfalfa and no dairy alfalfa was bought or sold.
South central—Demand, light to moderate. Trade activity is slow. Dairy alfalfa, and alfalfa pellet steady. Grinding alfalfa is mostly steady, Alfalfa pellets and ground and delivered $5 lower. 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, $110-$125 delivered. Alfalfa ground and delivered, $135-$145. Sun-cured alfalfa pellets, 15% protein, $215-$220, 17% protein, $220-$225, 17% dehydrated, $340. Sudan, large rounds, $50-$60. For the week ending April 19, 6,897 tons of grinding alfalfa and 25 tons of dairy alfalfa was reported bought or sold.
Southeast—Demand light. Trade activity is slow. Dairy alfalfa, steady. Bluestem, $5-$10 lower. Brome hay price steady to $5 higher. 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, $75-$85, 3×4 and 4×4 squares, $105-$125. Brome, small squares, $6-$10/bale, large rounds, $105-$115, 3×4 and 4×4 squares, $100-$110. Wheat straw, large squares, $70. For the week ending April 19, it was reported 733.50 tons of grass hay was bought or sold.
Northwest—Little to no demand. Trade activity is slow. Horse alfalfa, $135-$145. Fair/good grinding alfalfa, large rounds and squares, $90-$100; Sudan, large rounds, $70.
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-$120 delivered. 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 19, it was reported 865 tons of grinding alfalfa and 775 tons of dairy alfalfa was bought or sold.
Source: Kansas Department of Agriculture-USDA Market News Service, Manhattan, Kansas.
