Compared to the last report, demand remains low, and alfalfa prices are headed downward . . . in a hurry, especially in the southwest and south-central regions. Late last fall and early winter, producers figured prices would go back up after the first of the year, but we have not seen that happen, the opposite has occurred. Pellet mills, feed yards and grinders are still not in a buying mood and will be looking for rock bottom prices on alfalfa when they decide to buy. With the hay they have on hand and all the other feeds stuffs out there, most buyers indicate that they are bought up till nearly new crop. Grass hay, however, has continued to be a hot commodity, retaining its value and most all grass has been bought or spoke for. According to the U.S. Drought Monitor for January 23rd, it was a mostly dry week over much of the High Plains region with only eastern Kansas receiving widespread, albeit light, precipitation. Temperatures were below normal for all areas outside the plains of Colorado and were generally 9-15 degrees below normal for the week. The categorical percent area for abnormally dry conditions (D0) increased to 29%, moderate drought (D1) decreased to 32%, severe drought (D2) decreased to 5%, extreme drought (D3) remained at .50%, and no exceptional drought (D4) was recorded. **Prices below reflect the average price. There could be prices higher and lower than those published. FULL REPORT

Southwest Kansas
Dairy alfalfa, ground and delivered steady, grinding alfalfa 5.00 lower; movement slow. Alfalfa: Dairy, 1.35-1.45/point RFV. Good, Stock or Dry Cow 235.00-245.00. Fair/good grinding alfalfa, large rounds 175.00-185.00, large square 3×4’s and 4×4’s 175.00-185.00. Ground and delivered locally to feed lots and dairies 215.00-225.00. Alfalfa pellets: Sun cured 15 pct protein 315.00-325.00, 17 pct protein 325.00-335.00. Grass Hay: Bluestem small squares 8.00/bale, bluestem CRP large rounds 75.00/ton. Corn stalks: rounds and 3×4’s 90.00-100.00. The week of 1/21-1/27, 4,826T of grinding alfalfa and 350T of dairy alfalfa was reported bought or sold.

South Central Kansas
Alfalfa pellets steady, dairy alfalfa $0.05/POINT RFV lower, ground and delivered 5.00 lower, grinding alfalfa 10.00 lower; movement slow. Alfalfa: horse, small squares 13.00/bale; Dairy 1.35-1.45/point RFV. Good, Stock cow, 225.00-235.00. Fair/good grinding alfalfa, large rounds 180.00–190.00 delivered, 3×4 and 4×4’s 180.00-190.00 delivered. Alfalfa ground and delivered 215.00-225.00. Alfalfa pellets: Sun cured 15 pct protein 300.00-310.00, 17 pct protein 305.00-315.00, Dehydrated 17 pct protein: 400.00-405.00. Grass hay: Bluestem, small squares 200.00, large rounds 100.00-120.00, large square 3×4’s none reported. Brome, none reported. Sudan, large rounds 80.00-90.00. The week of 1/21-1/27, 10,097.5T of grinding alfalfa and 96T of dairy alfalfa was reported bought or sold. Although there was an increase in grinding alfalfa trades, this was due to two large hay sales and is not indicative of increased hay movement for the region. Hay sales for this region remain quite slow.

Southeast Kansas
Dairy alfalfa $0.05/point RFV lower, Grass hay mostly steady; movement slow. Alfalfa: horse or goat, none reported. Dairy 1.35-1.45/point RFV. Good, stock cow 245.00-255.00 delivered. Fair/good grinding alfalfa, large rounds none reported, large square 3×4’s none reported. Grass hay: Bluestem, small squares 200.00-205.00, large round 140.00-150.00, large square 3×4 and 4×4’s 180.00-190.00. Brome, small squares 200.00-205.00, large rounds none reported, large square 3×4 and 4×4’s 180.00-200.00. The week 1/21-1/27, 1,430.5T of grass hay was reported bought or sold.

Northwest Kansas
Dairy alfalfa, grinding alfalfa, steady, movement slow. Alfalfa: horse, small squares 12.00/bale. Dairy, Premium/Supreme 1.40-1.50/point RFV. Stock cow, good, 200.00-230.00, Alfalfa Good 3×3’s 200.00, Premium 3×3’s 300, Fair/good grinding alfalfa: 180.00-200.00. Alfalfa ground and delivered none reported. Sudan, weedy, large round 85.00-95.00, delivered.

North Central-Northeast Kansas
Dairy alfalfa, ground and delivered and grass hay mostly steady, grinding alfalfa 10.00 lower; movement slow. Alfalfa: Dairy 1.40-1.50/point RFV; Horse hay, premium small squares: none reported; Stock Cow 3×4’s none reported; Fair/good, grinding alfalfa, large rounds none reported, large square 3×4’s 200.00-210.00. Alfalfa ground and delivered 240.00-250.00. Grass hay: Bluestem, small squares 7.00-8.00/bale, large rounds 140.00-150.00, large square 3×4 and 4×4’s 175.00-185.00. Brome: large rounds 160.00-170.00, large square 3×4 and 4×4’s 190.00-200.00. Milo stalks: 75.00-85.00. The week of 1/21-1/27, 351T of grinding alfalfa and 442T of dairy alfalfa was reported bought or sold.

THIS HAS BEEN YOUR KANSAS HAY MARKET REPORT. THIS IS KIM NETTLETON WITH THE KANSAS DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, MANHATTAN, KS