Compared to the last report, demand remains low to moderate for all hay and prices are soft for all regions. There still seems to be no interest in buying and no new crop pricing has been reported as folks are trying to get rid of or use up their old crop before committing to new crop. Many areas are reporting they could use a rain, with warm and windy conditions exacerbating the situation. Contributors state that the wheat is doing o.k. but will go backwards, in a hurry, without moisture. Alfalfa producers are spraying for weevil, as the wind allows, and some have begun irrigating. According to the U.S. Drought Monitor for April 2nd, locally heavy precipitation (more than 1 inch) led to targeted improvements across southeastern Kansas. Soil moisture supported a large increase in abnormal dryness (D0) across southwestern Kansas along with a slight expansion of moderate drought (D1) to the west of Wichita. The categorical percent area for abnormally dry conditions (D0) increased to 40%, moderate drought (D1) remained near 27%, 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
Demand low. Trade activity is slow. Dairy alfalfa prices are steady. Grinding alfalfa price steady, and Ground and delivered alfalfa price $15.00 lower. 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 $190.00-$200.00. 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 3/31-4/6, 5,571T of grinding alfalfa and 325T of dairy alfalfa was reported bought or sold.

South Central Kansas
Demand low to moderate. Trade activity is slow to moderate. Dairy alfalfa prices steady. Grinding alfalfa $5.00 lower, Ground and delivered price steady, and Alfalfa pellet also steady. Alfalfa: Dairy $1.30-$1.40/point RFV. Good, Stock cow, $190.00-$200.00. Fair/good grinding alfalfa, large rounds $140.00–$150.00 delivered, 3×4 and 4×4’s $140.00-$150.00 delivered. Alfalfa ground and delivered $190.00-$200.00. Alfalfa pellets: Sun cured 15 pct protein $290.00-$300.00, 17 pct protein $290.00-$300.00, 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 3/31-4/6, 6,464.5T of grinding alfalfa and 150T of dairy alfalfa was reported bought or sold.

Southeast Kansas
Demand low. 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 $170.00-$180.00. 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 3/31-4/6, 973T of grass hay was reported bought or sold.

Northwest Kansas
Demand low. 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
Demand low. Trade activity is slow. Dairy alfalfa steady. Grinding alfalfa steady, Ground and delivered $5.00 lower. Grass hay $5.00 lower. Alfalfa: Dairy $1.35-$1.40/point RFV; Horse hay, premium small squares 13.00/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 $195.00-$205.00, alfalfa/sudan mix ground and delivered $195.00-$205.00. Grass hay: Bluestem, small squares $8.00-$9.00/bale, large rounds $135.00-$145.00, large square 3×4 and 4×4’s $170.00-$180.00. Brome: small squares $10.00-14.00/bale, large rounds $95.00-100.00/bale, large square none reported. 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 3/31-4/6 544T of grinding alfalfa and 123T 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