Kansas hay demand remains light, grinding alfalfa prices continue to fall

Compared to the last report, demand remains light, and grinding alfalfa prices continue to fall, according to the Kansas Department of Agriculture-USDA Market News Service, Feb. 27.

There are still lots of folks wanting to sell grinding alfalfa, but buyers are few and far between. Grass hay is starting to lose its momentum as sales begin to slow and prices begin to soften. The warm weather has everyone turning to the fields applying fertilizers and getting a jump on the 2024 growing season. Prices based on averages and given on a per-ton basis, unless otherwise noted.

Southwest—Trade activity is slow. Dairy alfalfa and ground and delivered alfalfa prices are steady. Grinding alfalfa $20 lower. Alfalfa: Dairy, $1.35-$1.45/point RFV. Fair/good grinding alfalfa, large rounds, $140-$150, large 3×4 and 4×4 squares $155-$165. Ground and delivered locally to feed lots and dairies, $210-$220. Sun-cured alfalfa pellets, 15% protein, $305-$315, 17% protein, $310-$320. Bluestem grass hay, small squares, $8/bale, bluestem CRP, large rounds, $75/ton. Corn stalks, 3×4 squares, $100 delivered. Sudan, large 4×4 squares, $110-$115 delivered. For the week ending Feb. 24, 4,429 tons of grinding alfalfa and 225T of dairy alfalfa was reported bought or sold.

South central—Trade activity is slow. Alfalfa pellet, and dairy alfalfa and ground and delivered alfalfa prices are steady. Grinding alfalfa steady to $5 lower. Horse alfalfa, small squares, $13-15/bale; Dairy $1.35-$1.45/point RFV. Good stock cow, $225-$235. Fair/good grinding alfalfa, large rounds, $160–$170 delivered, 3×4 and 4×4 squares, $165-$175 delivered. Alfalfa ground and delivered, $190-$200. Sun-cured alfalfa pellets, 15% protein, $300-$310, 17% protein, $305-$315, dehydrated 17% protein, $400-$405. Bluestem grass hay, small squares, $200, large rounds, $100-$120. Sudan, large rounds, $70-$80. For the week ending Feb. 24, 5,742.5 tons of grinding alfalfa and 1,100 tons of dairy alfalfa was reported bought or sold.

Southeast—Trade activity is slow. Dairy alfalfa price is steady, bluestem hay price mostly steady with large squares $15 lower. Brome hay steady. Dairy $1.35-$1.45/point RFV. Good stock cow, $200-$220. Bluestem grass hay, small squares, $200-$205, large rounds, $140-$150, large 3×4 and 4×4 squares, $160-$170. Brome, small squares, $200-$205, large 3×4 and 4×4 squares, $180-$200. Corn stalks, large rounds, $60-$70. For the week ending Feb. 24, 1,066 tons of grass hay was reported bought or sold.

Northwest—Trade activity is slow. Dairy alfalfa, grinding alfalfa prices are steady. Horse alfalfa, small squares, $13.25/bale. Dairy, Premium/Supreme $1.40-$1.50/point RFV. Good stock cow, $200-$230, 3×3 squares, $200. Premium alfalfa, 3×3 squares $280. Fair/good grinding alfalfa, $180-$200. Sudan, large rounds, $60-$70.

North central/northeast—Trade activity is slow. Dairy alfalfa, steady. Grinding alfalfa large rounds steady, large squares $25 lower, Ground and delivered $10 lower. Grass hay steady. Alfalfa: Dairy $1.40-$1.50/point RFV. Fair/good, grinding alfalfa, large rounds, $145-$155, large 3×4 squares, $160-$170. Alfalfa ground and delivered, $200-$210. Alfalfa/sudan mix ground and delivered, $195-$205. Bluestem grass hay, small squares, $7-$8/bale, large rounds, $135-$145, large 3×4 and 4×4 squares, $175-$185. Brome, large rounds, $160-$170, large 3×4 and 4×4 squares, $180-$190. Corn stalks, $60-$70. Milo stalks, $75-$85. Soybean stalks, large rounds, $85-$95. Wheat straw, large rounds and large squares, $105-$115. For the week ending Feb. 24, 357 tons of grinding alfalfa and 567 tons of dairy alfalfa was reported bought or sold.

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