Compared to the last report, demand remains low for all hay and prices are soft for all regions. According to the U.S. Drought Monitor for April 23rd, one-category degradations were made in Kansas where precipitation has been below normal during the past 90-day period with the greatest departures of 4 to 5 inches observed in south-central and eastern Kansas. Moreover, according to the USGS, stream gages on numerous creeks and rivers in central and eastern Kansas were reporting much below-normal flows. the USDA reported that 26% of the winter wheat crop in Kansas was rated in poor to very poor condition. In addition to dry conditions, average temperatures across the Plains states have been ranging from 4 to 8+ degrees above normal levels during the past 90 days with the greatest anomalies observed in far eastern portions of the region. The categorical percent area for abnormally dry conditions (D0) decreased to 32.5%, moderate drought (D1) increased to near 48%, severe drought (D2) increased to 17%, 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; Grass hay: CRP large rounds, 75.00 per bale. The week of 4/21-4/27, 3,998T of grinding alfalfa and 250T of dairy alfalfa was reported bought or sold.

South Central Kansas
Demand low. Trade activity is slow. Dairy alfalfa prices steady. Grinding alfalfa, 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 4/21-4/27, 4,239T 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, 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 4/21-4/27, 1508.5T 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, steady, Ground and delivered $5.00-$10.00 lower. 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 $180.00-$190.00. Grass hay: Bluestem, small squares $8.00-$9.00/bale, large rounds $75.00-$85.00/bale, large square 3×4 and 4×4’s $130.00-$140.00. 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 4/21-4/27 486T of grinding alfalfa and 373T 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