Kansas hay trade slow to moderate, demand still light and steady prices
This past week, demand was light, trade was slow to moderate, and prices were steady, according to the Kansas Department of Agriculture-USDA Market Service, July 29.
Rain across the state continues to hamper hay harvest, but many are thankful for the rain, as it has saved their corn and sudan. Overall, most report that second cut was good to very good and yield was slightly above average. Sentiment remains that there will be plenty of grinding hay available. Prices are based on averages and given on a per-ton basis, unless otherwise noted.
Southwest—Demand, light. Trade slow to 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-$125 delivered and large squares, $120-$125 delivered. Ground and delivered locally to feed lots and dairies, $150-$160. For the week ending July 26, it was reported 4982.50 tons of grinding alfalfa and no dairy alfalfa was bought or sold. The average paid by feedlots on July 1 for alfalfa ground and delivered was $161.95, down $2.22 from the previous month. Usage was 468 tons/day, down 11.5% from last month and total usage was 14,031 tons.
South Central—Demand light. Trade activity slow. Dairy alfalfa, alfalfa pellets, steady. Grinding alfalfa mostly steady, Ground and delivered $5 higher. Alfalfa, small squares, $10/bale. Alfalfa: Dairy $1-$1.10/point RFV. Good stock cow, $125-$135. Fair/good grinding alfalfa, large rounds, $105–$115 delivered, 3×4 and 4×4 squares, $110-$120 delivered. Alfalfa ground and delivered, $140-$150. Sun-cured alfalfa pellets, 15% protein, $210-$215, 17% dehydrated, $340. Brome, medium squares, $120-$130. For the week ending July 26, it was reported 6,451 tons of grinding alfalfa and 550 tons of dairy alfalfa was bought or sold. The average paid by feedlots on July 1 for alfalfa ground and delivered was $147.54, down $1.53 from the previous month. Usage was 152 tons/day, up 15% from last month and total usage was 4,570 tons.
Southeast—Demand, light. Trade activity, slow. Dairy alfalfa steady, bluestem and brome hay price mostly 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, $120-130. Wheat straw, large squares, $60-$70. For the week ending July 26, it was reported 1,182 tons of grass hay was reported 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, $75-$85, large squares, $90-$100. Brome, large squares, $125-$135. Wheat straw, large round and large squares, $45-$65. For the week ending July 26, it was reported 833 tons of grinding alfalfa and 225 tons of dairy alfalfa was bought or sold.
Source: Kansas Department of Agriculture-USDA Market Service, Manhattan, Kansas.
