Compared to the last report, demand remains low for all hay and prices are soft for all regions. Warm, windy and dry conditions, in the western two-thirds of the state, continues to affect, both the wheat crop and alfalfa crop, which are going backwards. There still is not much interest in purchasing old crop grinder hay let alone new crop, as most buyers are still working through what’s left of last year’s inventory. According to the U.S. Drought Monitor for April 16th, the southern High Plains are in the grips of rapidly drying conditions, leading to degradations across Kansas, with conditions bleeding into eastern Colorado and southern Nebraska. Western Kansas has not seen precipitation in over two weeks, providing no relief to the rapidly drying soils and low streamflows. Conditions in Kansas into Oklahoma are seeing rapid deterioration and short-term dryness indicating flash drought conditions. The categorical percent area for abnormally dry conditions (D0) decreased to 44%, moderate drought (D1) increased to near 46%, severe drought (D2) increased to 7%, 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, 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 $115.00-$125.00. Ground and delivered locally to feed lots and dairies $180.00-$190.00. Teff: small squares $9.00/bale; Sudan, large squares none reported. The week of 4/14-4/20, 4,518T of grinding alfalfa and 0T of dairy alfalfa was reported bought or sold.

South Central Kansas
Demand low. Trade activity is slow. Dairy alfalfa prices steady. Grinding alfalfa $5.00 lower, Ground and delivered and Alfalfa pellet price steady. Alfalfa: Dairy $1.30-$1.40/point RFV. Good, Stock cow, $190.00-$200.00. Fair/good grinding alfalfa, large rounds $135.00–$145.00 delivered, 3×4 and 4×4’s $135.00-$145.00 delivered. Alfalfa ground and delivered $190.00-$200.00. Alfalfa pellets: Sun cured 15 pct protein $280.00-$285.00, 17 pct protein $280.00-$285, Dehydrated 17 pct protein: $385.00-$400.00. Grass hay: Bluestem, small squares $200.00, large rounds and large squares none reported. The week of 4/14-4/20, 4,723T of grinding alfalfa and 175T 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 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 $165.00-$175.00. 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 4/14-4/20, 959T of grass hay was reported bought or sold.

Northwest Kansas
Demand low. Trade activity is slow. Dairy alfalfa, grinding alfalfa prices are steady. Alfalfa: horse, small squares $13.25/bale. Dairy, Premium/Supreme $1.35-$1.45/point RFV. Stock cow, good, none reported, Alfalfa Good 3×3’s $180, Premium 3×3’s $225.00, Fair/good grinding alfalfa: none reported; Sudan large rounds $60.00-$70.00.

North Central-Northeast Kansas
Demand low. Trade activity is slow. Dairy alfalfa, Grinding alfalfa, Ground and delivered steady. Grass hay mostly steady. Alfalfa: Dairy $1.30-$1.40/point RFV; Horse hay, premium small squares 13.00/bale; Stock Cow 3×4’s none reported; Fair/good, grinding alfalfa, large rounds $150.00-$170.00, large square 3×4’s $165.00-$175.00. Alfalfa ground and delivered $185.00-$200.00, alfalfa/sudan mix ground and delivered $195.00-$205.00. Grass hay: Bluestem, small squares $8.00-$9.00/bale, large rounds $115.00-$135.00, large square 3×4 and 4×4’s $140.00-$150.00 . Brome: small squares $10.00-14.00/bale, large rounds $95.00-100.00/bale, large square none reported. Wheat straw: none reported. The week of 4/14-4/20 488T of grinding alfalfa and 148T 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