Hay trade remains steady

Hay market prices steady for alfalfa and grass hay and trades remained steady, although inquiries picked up, according to the Kansas Department of Agriculture-USDA Market News Service, Nov. 9.

Most hay activity was quiet as everyone continues to finish up harvest. According to the US Drought Monitor for the week of Nov. 2, many locations across the High Plains region experienced improvement in drought conditions this week, from eastern Kansas and Nebraska northward, and westward to the northern Front Range. Abnormally dry conditions decreased to near 17%, moderate drought decreased to 9%, and severe drought increased to 3%. Prices are based on averages, and given on a per-ton basis.

Southwest:

Dairy alfalfa, ground and delivered steady, grinding alfalfa steady to $5 lower, movement slow. Premium horse alfalfa, small squares, $260-$280 with an instance at $315. Dairy 1.05-1.10/point RFV, supreme, $195-$250, premium, $180-$205, good, $155-$185. Stock or dry cow, $180-$190. Grinding alfalfa, $175-$185. Ground and delivered locally to feed lots and dairies, $200-$210. Bluestem grass hay, 3×4 and 4×4 squares, $85-$95, large rounds, $75/bale. For the week ending Nov. 6, 5,792 tons of grinding alfalfa and 300 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, $165-$175. Fair/good grinding alfalfa, $160-$170 delivered. Ground and delivered, $190-$200. Sun-cured alfalfa pellets, 15% protein, $225-$235, 17% protein, $240-$250, dehydrated 17% protein, $310-$315. Bluestem grass hay, large rounds, $85-$95, large squares, $100-$110. Brome, large rounds, $100-$105, large squares, $110-$120. Oat hay, good large rounds, $120-$125, good 3×4 squares, $130-$135. Sudan, large rounds, $80-$90. For the week ending Nov. 6, 6,828 tons of grinding alfalfa and 482 tons of dairy alfalfa was reported bought/sold.

Southeast:

Dairy alfalfa, grinding alfalfa steady, grass hay steady; movement slow. Horse or goat alfalfa, $250-$260. Dairy 1-1.05/point RFV. Stock cow, $160-$170. Grass hay: Bluestem, small squares, $120-$130, good 3×3 squares, $115-$125, good, 3×4 and 4×4 squares, $100-$120, large rounds, $70-$85. Brome, good, 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 Nov. 6, 1,132 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, $175-$185. Fair/good grinding alfalfa, $60-$170. Oat hay, 3×3 squares, $135-$145. Wheat straw, large squares, $75-$85.

North central/northeast:

Dairy alfalfa, grinding alfalfa, ground/delivered, grass hay steady, 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, $6.50-$7/bale, large 3×4 to 4×4 squares, $130-$140 delivered, good, large rounds, $90-$100. Brome, small squares, $7.25-$8/bale, 3×4 to 4×4 squares, $125-$135, large rounds, $90-$105. 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 Nov. 6, 595 tons of grinding alfalfa and 227 tons of dairy alfalfa was reported bought/sold.

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