Hay prices steady for alfalfa, grass hay

Hay market prices are steady for alfalfa and grass hay, according to the Kansas Department of Agriculture-USDA Market News Service, Sept. 7.

Demand is fair to good, with trades picking up, only slightly, across the state. Grinding quality hay has slowed down with the influx of silage and as higher than normal feed prices are expected this fall, producers will be looking for cheaper feed rations. Producers report hot and dry conditions persist across the western two-thirds of the state and any rain received was very spotty. The eastern third of the state received rain over the weekend with locally heavy rains totaling up to 7 inches. Drought conditions persist in some areas. Prices are based on averages and given on a per-ton basis, unless otherwise noted.

Southwest:

Dairy alfalfa, grinding alfalfa, ground and delivered steady; movement slow. Premium horse alfalfa, small squares, $260-$280 with an instance at $300. Dairy 1.05-1.10/point RFV, supreme, $195-$250, premium, $180-$205, good, $155-$185. Stock or dry cow, $185-$195. Grinding alfalfa, $175-$185. Ground and delivered locally to feed lots and dairies, $200-$210. Bluestem grass hay, small squares, $7.50-$8.50 per bale, 3×3 squares, $115-$125. Brome, large rounds, $80-$90. Wheat straw, large rounds, $65-$75. For the week ending Sept. 4, 7,834 tons of grinding alfalfa and 405 tons of dairy alfalfa was reported bought/sold.

South central:

Dairy alfalfa, alfalfa pellets, grinding alfalfa, ground/delivered steady; movement slow. Horse alfalfa, small squares, $255-$275. Dairy 1.05-1.10/point RFV, supreme, $195-$250, premium, $180-$205, good, $155-$185. Good, stock cow, $170-$180. Fair/good grinding alfalfa, $160-$175 delivered. Ground and delivered, $190-$200. Sun-cured alfalfa pellets, 15% protein, $220-$235, 17% protein, $240-$250, dehydrated 17% protein, $310-$315. Bluestem grass hay, large squares, $100-$110. Brome, large rounds, $80-$90. Oat hay, good 3×4 squares, $110-$120. Sudan, large squares, $110-$120. For the week ending Sept. 4, 7,247 tons of grinding alfalfa and 670 tons of dairy alfalfa was reported bought/sold.

Southeast:

Dairy alfalfa, grinding alfalfa steady, grass hay steady; movement slow to moderate. Horse or goat alfalfa, $245-$255. Dairy 1-1.05/point RFV. Stock cow, $155-$165. Fair/good grinding alfalfa, $150-$160. Bluestem grass hay, small squares, $125-$135, good 3×3 squares, $115-$125, good, 3×4 and 4×4 squares, $100-$120, large rounds, $70-$85. Good brome, small squares, $125-$135, 3×4 to 4×4 squares, $115-$125, large rounds, $85-$95. Wheat straw, 3×4 and 4×4 squares, $60-$80. For the week ending Sept. 4, 1,942 tons of grass hay was reported bought/sold.

Northwest:

Dairy alfalfa, ground/delivered steady, grinding alfalfa steady, movement slow. Horse or goat alfalfa, small squares, $300-$400 delivered. Dairy, premium/supreme 1.05-1.10/point RFV. Stock cow, fair/good, $165-$175. Fair/good grinding alfalfa, $150-$160. Oat hay, small squares, $135-$145. Sudan, large rounds, $60-$70.

North central/northeast:

Dairy alfalfa, grinding alfalfa, ground/delivered steady; grass hay steady to $5 higher; movement slow. Premium horse alfalfa, small squares, $9-$10/bale. Dairy 1.05-1.10/point RFV, supreme, $195-$250, premium, $180-$205, good, $155-$185. Stock cow, $160-$170. Fair/good grinding alfalfa, $130-$140; ground and delivered, $155-$165. Bluestem grass hay, small squares, $5.50-$6/bale, 3×4 to 4×4 squares, new crop large squares, $120-$130, good, large rounds new crop, $110-$120, premium, large rounds, $120-$130. Brome, small squares, $7.25-$8/bale, 3×4 to 4×4 squares, $125-$135, large rounds, $95-$110. Wheat straw, small squares, $5-$6/bale, large 3×4 to 4×4 squares, $85-$100. Certified weed free grass mulch large rounds, $80-$90. For the week ending Sept. 4, 760 tons of grinding alfalfa and 450 tons of dairy alfalfa was reported bought/sold.

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