Prices steady for Kansas hay despite light demand and moderate trade
This past week, demand was light, trade was moderate, and prices were steady, on limited test as producers have been busy in the fields, according to the Kansas Department of Agriculture-USDA Market News Service, July 15.
Hot, muggy and humid weather seems to be the current trend, with the southwest continuing to receive rain. This is great for corn but hard on the hay producer. Prices are based on averages and given on a per-ton basis, unless otherwise noted.
Southwest—Demand, light. Trade moderate. Dairy alfalfa, grinding alfalfa, ground and delivered alfalfa all steady. Alfalfa: Dairy, $1-$1.10/point RFV. Good stock or dry cow, $130. Fair/good, grinding alfalfa, large rounds $110-$120 delivered and large squares $120-$125 delivered. Ground and delivered locally to feed lots and dairies $150-$160. Alfalfa pellets: sun cured 15% protein $215-$220, 17% protein $220-$225. Grass Hay: none reported. The week of 7/06-7/12, 7,945T of grinding alfalfa and 0T of dairy alfalfa was reported bought or sold.
South central—Demand and trade activity, light to moderate. Dairy alfalfa, alfalfa pellets, grinding alfalfa, ground and delivered all steady. Alfalfa: small squares $10/bale. Alfalfa: Dairy $1-$1.10/point RFV. Good, stock cow, $125-$135. Fair/good grinding alfalfa, large rounds, $110–$115 delivered, 3×4 and 4×4 squares, $115-$125 delivered. Alfalfa ground and delivered, $130-$140. Sun-cured alfalfa pellets, 15% protein, $210-$215, 17% dehydrated, $340. Brome, medium squares, $120-$130. For the week ending July 12, it was reported 5,122 tons of grinding alfalfa and 525 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. Alfalfa, small squares, $8-$10/bale. Fair/good grinding alfalfa, large squares, first cut, $100-$125. Bluestem grass hay, large rounds, $70-$80, 3×4 and 4×4 squares, $110-$120, small squares, $140-$160. Brome, large squares, $115-125. Wheat straw, large squares, $60-$70. For the week ending July 12, it was reported 756 tons of grass hay was bought or sold.
Northwest—Little to no demand. Trade activity is very slow. Horse hay, small squares, $195-$205. Fair/good grinding alfalfa, large rounds and squares, $90-$100. Wheat straw, large squares, $90.
North central/northeast—Demand light. Trade activity is slow. Dairy alfalfa, grinding alfalfa, alfalfa ground and delivered, bluestem, and brome, all steady. Alfalfa, horse hay, small squares, $10-12/bale. Alfalfa: Dairy $1-$1.05/point RFV. Fair/good, grinding alfalfa, large rounds, $70-$80, 3×4 and 4×4 squares, $105-$115 delivered. Alfalfa ground and delivered, $135-$145. Bluestem grass hay, large rounds, $70-$80, large squares, $90-$100. Wheat straw, large round and large squares, $45-65. For the week ending July 12, it was reported 999 tons of grinding alfalfa and 825 tons of dairy alfalfa was bought or sold.
Source: Kansas Department of Agriculture-USDA Market News Service, Manhattan, Kansas.
