Compared to the last report, demand picked up a bit for the southwest and south-central regions and remained slow for the rest of the state. Grinding alfalfa prices remained mostly steady overall but did fall again in the southwest. Sellers are still looking to clean out their barns, while buyers are still in the driver’s seat. Farmers are busy in the fields applying fertilizer and working the soil, getting ready for planting season. According to the U.S. Drought Monitor for February 27th, daily high temperatures reached into the 80s F some days in Kansas. Weekly temperatures averaged 10 to 20 degrees above normal across most of the region, increasing evapotranspiration (ET). The above-normal ET had little effect on vegetation, as vegetation is still dormant, but soil temperatures were well above freezing in southern parts of the region and the high ET helped to dry soils. Abnormally dry conditions expanded in eastern Kansas where recent precipitation has been low and soils were drying. The categorical percent area for abnormally dry conditions (D0) increased to 24%, moderate drought (D1) remained near 26%, severe drought (D2) remained just over 2%, and no extreme drought (D3) or 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
Trade activity is slow to moderate. Dairy alfalfa prices are steady. Grinding alfalfa, large squares $5.00 lower, large rounds $20.00 lower. Ground and delivered alfalfa price $5.00 lower. Alfalfa: Dairy, $1.35-$1.45/point RFV. Good, Stock or Dry Cow none reported. Fair/good grinding alfalfa, large rounds $120.00-$130.00, large square 3×4’s and 4×4’s $150.00-$160.00. Ground and delivered locally to feed lots and dairies $205.00-$215.00. Alfalfa pellets: Sun cured 15 pct protein $305.00-315.00, 17 pct protein $310.00-$320.00. Grass Hay: Bluestem small squares $8.00/bale, bluestem CRP large rounds $75.00/ton. Corn stalks: 3×4’s $100.00 delivered. Sudan, large square 4×4’s $110.00-$115.00 delivered. The week of 2/25-3/02, 5,397T of grinding alfalfa and 525T of dairy alfalfa was reported bought or sold.

South Central Kansas
Trade activity is slow to moderate. Dairy alfalfa prices are steady. Grinding alfalfa and Ground and delivered alfalfa prices steady. Alfalfa pellet steady to 10.00 lower. Alfalfa: horse, small squares $13.00-15.00/bale; Dairy $1.35-$1.45/point RFV. Good, Stock cow, $225.00-$235.00. Fair/good grinding alfalfa, large rounds $160.00–$170.00 delivered, 3×4 and 4×4’s $165.00-$175.00 delivered. Alfalfa ground and delivered $190.00-$200.00. Alfalfa pellets: Sun cured 15 pct protein $290.00-$300.00, 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 $70.00-$80.00. The week of 2/25-3/02, 7,258T of grinding alfalfa and 1,075T of dairy alfalfa was reported bought or sold.

Southeast Kansas
Trade activity is slow. Dairy alfalfa price is steady, Bluestem and Brome hay price steady. Alfalfa: horse or goat, none reported. Dairy $1.35-$1.45/point RFV. Good, stock cow $200.00-$220.00. 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 $160.00-$170.00. Brome, small squares $200.00-$205.00, large rounds none reported, large square 3×4 and 4×4’s $180.00-$200.00. Corn stalks: large rounds $55.00-$65.00. The week 2/25-3/02, 1,138T of grass hay was reported bought or sold.

Northwest Kansas
Trade activity is slow. Dairy alfalfa, grinding alfalfa prices are steady. Alfalfa: horse, small squares $13.25/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 $280.00, Fair/good grinding alfalfa: $180.00-$200.00. Sudan large rounds $60.00-$70.00.

North Central-Northeast Kansas
Trade activity is slow. Dairy alfalfa, steady. Grinding alfalfa steady, Ground and delivered steady. Grass hay steady. 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 $145.00-$155.00, large square 3×4’s $160.00-$170.00. Alfalfa ground and delivered $200.00-$210.00, alfalfa/sudan mix ground and delivered $195.00-$205.00. Grass hay: Bluestem, small squares $7.00-$8.00/bale, large rounds $135.00-$145.00, 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 $170.00-$180.00. Corn stalks: $60.00-$70.00. Milo stalks: $75.00-$85.00. Soybean stalks: large rounds $85.00-$95.00. Wheat straw: large rounds and large squares $105.00-$115.00. The week of 2/25-3/02, 163T of grinding alfalfa and 492T 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