Compared to the last report, demand slow to moderate for all hay and prices were mostly steady for all regions. It was mostly an unremarkable week with folks trying to work the fields in windy conditions. According to the U.S. Drought Monitor for March 19th, some increases in the coverage of abnormal dryness (D0) were noted on the Plains from central and southwestern Kansas northward into parts of South Dakota. Despite the Plains’ pockets of dryness and drought, prospects for the winter wheat crop remained mostly favorable. In Kansas, 55% of the winter wheat was rated in good to excellent condition on March 17, with only 12% of the crop rated very poor to poor, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The categorical percent area for abnormally dry conditions (D0) increased to 40%, moderate drought (D1) decreased to near 24%, severe drought (D2) remained just under 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. Dairy alfalfa prices are steady. Grinding alfalfa and Ground and delivered alfalfa price steady. Alfalfa: Dairy, $1.35-$1.45/point RFV. Good, Stock or Dry Cow none reported. Fair/good grinding alfalfa, large rounds $115.00-$125.00, large square 3×4’s and 4×4’s $120.00-$125.00. Ground and delivered locally to feed lots and dairies $205.00-$215.00. Alfalfa pellets: Sun cured 15 pct protein $295.00-300.00, 17 pct protein $305.00-$310.00. Grass Hay: bluestem CRP large rounds $75.00/ton. Sudan, large square 4×4’s $110.00-$115.00 delivered. The week of 3/17-3/23, 4,508T of grinding alfalfa and 300T of dairy alfalfa was reported bought or sold

South Central Kansas
Trade activity is slow to moderate. Dairy alfalfa prices steady. Grinding alfalfa $5.00 lower, Ground and delivered, and Alfalfa pellet all steady. Alfalfa: Dairy $1.30-$1.40/point RFV. Good, Stock cow, $200.00-$220.00. Fair/good grinding alfalfa, large rounds $145.00–$155.00 delivered, 3×4 and 4×4’s $150.00-$160.00 delivered. Alfalfa ground and delivered $190.00-$200.00. Alfalfa pellets: Sun cured 15 pct protein $290.00-$300.00, 17 pct protein $300.00-$310.00, 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. Sudan, large rounds $70.00-$80.00. The week of 3/17-3/23, 8,381.50T of grinding alfalfa and 1,125T 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 none reported. Fair/good grinding alfalfa, large rounds none reported, large square 3×4’s $185.00-$195.00. 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 3/17-3/23, 1,268T of grass hay was reported bought or sold.

Northwest Kansas
Trade activity is slow. Dairy alfalfa steady, grinding alfalfa prices are steady. Alfalfa: horse, small squares $13.25/bale. Dairy, Premium/Supreme $1.40-$1.50/point RFV. Stock cow, good, none reported, Alfalfa Good 3×3’s $200.00, Premium 3×3’s $280.00, Fair/good grinding alfalfa: $180.00-$190.00. 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 $1.35-$1.40/point RFV; Horse hay, premium small squares 12.00/bale; Stock Cow 3×4’s $200.00-$230.00; 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 3/17-3/23 119T of grinding alfalfa and 365T 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