Hay demand still light, prices steady
This past week, demand remained light, and prices were steady, according to the Kansas Department of Agriculture-USDA Market News Service, Nov. 19.
Fewer trades in the marketplace continues, and therefore, movement of hay is minimal. Loads being delivered are to those with long term customers and hay that was contracted during the summer. Conversations this past week revolved around the lack of interest in grinder hay and expectations are that we will not see that change until after the first of the year. Prices are based on averages and given on a per-ton basis, unless otherwise noted.
Southwest—Demand light. Trade activity is slow. Dairy alfalfa, grinding alfalfa, and ground and delivered alfalfa price all steady. Alfalfa: Dairy, $1.05-$1.15/point RFV. Good stock or dry cow hay, $125-$135. Fair/good, grinding alfalfa, large rounds, $95-$110, large squares, $95-110. Ground and delivered locally to feed lots and dairies, $145-$155. CRP, large rounds, $60-$70 delivered. Teff, large rounds, $100-$110. For the week ending Nov. 16, there was 4,847 tons of grinding alfalfa and 825 tons of dairy alfalfa reported bought or sold. The average paid by feedlots on Nov. 1 for alfalfa ground and delivered was $163.44, down $6.86 from the previous month. Usage was 623 tons/day, down 6% from last month and total usage was 19,311 tons.
South central—Demand light. Trade activity is slow. Dairy alfalfa, grinding alfalfa, ground and delivered and alfalfa pellet price, steady. Alfalfa: Dairy $1-$1.10/point RFV. Good stock cow, $100-$120. Fair/good grinding alfalfa, large rounds, $95–$105 delivered, 3×4 and 4×4 squares, $100-$110 delivered. Alfalfa ground and delivered, $135-$145. Sun-cured alfalfa pellets, 15% protein $220-$230, 17% protein $230-$240, 17% protein dehydrated, $350. Brome, $110-$120. For the week ending Nov. 16, there was 6,433 tons of grinding alfalfa and 300 tons of dairy alfalfa reported bought or sold. The average paid by feedlots on Nov. 1 for alfalfa ground and delivered was $137.39, down $8.23 from the previous month. Usage was 198 tons/day, down 36% from last month and total usage was 6,142T.
Southeast—Demand light. Trade activity is slow. Dairy alfalfa and brome hay remains steady; Bluestem $5-$10 lower. Dairy, $1.10-$1.20/point RFV. Bluestem grass hay, small squares, $160-$180, large rounds, $100 -$110, 3×4 and 4×4 squares, $115-$130. Brome, small squares, $6-$10/bale, large rounds, $100-$110, 3×4 and 4×4 squares, $130-$140. Wheat straw, large squares, $70. For the week ending Nov. 16, there was 800.5 tons of grass hay reported bought or sold.
Northwest—Little to no demand. Trade activity is slow. Horse alfalfa, $175-$185.
North central/northeast—Demand light. Trade activity is slow. Dairy alfalfa price, grinding alfalfa, ground and delivered and grass hay all steady. Alfalfa: Dairy $1.10-$1.20/point RFV. Horse or goat alfalfa, small squares, $12/bale. Fair/good, grinding alfalfa, large rounds, $90-$100, 3×4 and 4×4 squares, $120-$130. Alfalfa ground and delivered, $135-$145. Bluestem grass hay, small squares, $8-$9/bale, large rounds, $80-$110, large squares, $100-$110. Brome, small squares, $9-$10/bale, large rounds, $100-$120, large 3×4 and 4×4 squares, $130 delivered. For the week ending Nov. 16, there was 815 tons of grinding alfalfa and 200 tons of dairy alfalfa reported bought or sold.
Source: Kansas Department of Agriculture-USDA Market News Service, Manhattan, Kansas.
