Hay trade remains slow
Hay market trade remains slow; alfalfa prices remain mostly steady while grass hay prices weaken, according to the Kansas Department of Agriculture-USDA Market News Service, Feb. 11.
Current trades are mostly on previously contracted hay with very few new sales reported. However, more hay moving on the roadways can be seen across the state and out of state. Many conversations have revolved around where this market will be going. Most agree the market should stay steady and perhaps soften a bit the closer we get to spring; that is assuming that winter weather does not decide to come in and sit on us for 3 to 4 weeks. Prices given on a per-ton basis, unless otherwise noted.
Southwest: Dairy alfalfa, ground/delivered steady, grinding alfalfa $5-$10 lower; movement slow to moderate. Premium horse alfalfa, small squares, $240-$250. Supreme dairy 1-1.05/point RFV, $185-$226; premium, $170-$195; good, $160-$170. Stock or dry cow, $160-$165. Fair/good grinding alfalfa, $100-$115. Ground and delivered locally to feed lots and dairies, $150-$160 with an instance at $165. Sudan, large rounds, $55-$65. Wheat straw, large rounds, $40-$50, large squares, $65-$75 delivered. For the week ending Feb. 8, 10,070 tons of grinding alfalfa and 2,266 tons of dairy alfalfa was reported bought/sold.
South central: Dairy/grinding alfalfa, ground/delivered, alfalfa pellets, steady; movement slow to moderate. Horse alfalfa, small squares, $255-$275. Dairy, 1-1.05/point RFV with an instance at 1.10/point RFV, supreme, $195-$225; premium, $175-$200; good, $165-$175. Stock cow, $130-$150. Fair/good grinding alfalfa, $90-$105. Ground and delivered locally to feedlots, $135-$145. Sun-cured alfalfa pellets, 15% protein, $200-$205, 17% protein, $205-$210, dehydrated 17% protein, $300-$310. Good bluestem grass hay, small squares, $7-$8/bale, large rounds, $60-$70, large squares, $75-$85. Brome, small squares, $7-$8/bale, large rounds, $100-$110, lesser quality, $70-$80. Sudan, large rounds, $60-$70. Oat hay, large rounds, $80-$85. Teff, medium to large squares, $140-$160. Wheat straw, small squares, $5.50-$6.50/bale, large squares, $70-$75, large rounds, $55-$65. For the week ending Feb. 8, 4,711 tons of grinding alfalfa and 718 ton of dairy alfalfa was reported bought/sold.
Southeast: Dairy/grinding alfalfa, ground/delivered, steady; grass hay $5 to $10 lower; movement slow. Horse or goat alfalfa, $230-$250. Dairy 1-1.05/point RFV. Stock cow, $160-$170. Fair/good grinding alfalfa, $115-$125. Ground and delivered, none reported. Bluestem grass hay, small squares, $125-$140, good, medium squares, $110-$125, large squares, $95-$110 with an instance at $120, large rounds, $60-$65. Good brome, small squares, $125-$150, medium to large squares, $120-$130, large rounds, $70-$80. Wheat straw, medium and large squares, $60-$75, large rounds, $55-$65. For the week ending Feb. 8, 2,144 tons of grass hay was reported bought/sold.
Northwest: Dairy/grinding alfalfa, ground/delivered steady; movement slow. Horse or goat alfalfa, $205-$215. Premium/supreme dairy, 1-1.05/point RFV. Fair/good stock cow, $150-$160. Fair/good grinding alfalfa, $100-$110. Ground and delivered locally to feedlots and dairies, $125-$135.
North central/northeast: Dairy/grinding alfalfa ground/delivered steady; grass hay $5 to $10 lower. Movement slow. Premium horse alfalfa, small squares, $9.50-$10.50/bale. Dairy 1-1.05/point RFV, supreme, $185-$210; premium, $170-$195; good, $160-$170. Stock cow, $150-$160. Fair/good, grinding alfalfa, $100-$115. Ground and delivered, $130-$160. Bluestem grass hay, small squares, $7-$8/bale, medium to large squares, $85-$100, large rounds, $70-$80. Brome, small squares, $7.50-$8.50/bale, medium to large squares, $115-$125, large rounds, $75-$90. Sudan, large rounds, $55-$65. Wheat straw, small squares, $5-$6/bale delivered, large squares, $100-$110 delivered, large rounds, $60-$70. For the week ending Feb. 8, 828 ton of grinding alfalfa and 375 ton of dairy alfalfa was reported bought/sold.
Source: Kansas Department of Agriculture-USDA Market News Service, Manhattan, Kansas.