This past week hay movement was steady while demand remained very light with very little change in activity from the previous week. Prices have weakened as producers are still trying to get rid of last years hay. Many areas of the state experienced rain this past week, with some getting a 4th cutting of alfalfa, while other parts of the state remain in a drought with little to no rain. Statewide topsoil moisture rated by percent short to very short is as follows: Kansas 47%, Nebraska 40%, South Dakota 32%, North Dakota 17%, Montana 78%, Wyoming 75%, and Colorado 42%, as per the USDA on August 18. According to the US Drought Monitor’s High Plains summary for the week of August 20th, 10.5% of the state is not experiencing any drought, the categorical percent area for abnormally dry conditions (D0) increased to 90%, moderate drought (D1) increased to 50%, severe drought (D2) increased to 9.11%, 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 USDA-AMS REPORT

Southwest Kansas
Demand light. Trade activity is slow. Dairy alfalfa prices are steady. Grinding alfalfa price steady and ground and delivered alfalfa price steady. Alfalfa: Dairy, $1.15-$1.25/point RFV. Good, Stock or Dry Cow none reported. Fair/good, grinding alfalfa, large rounds $115.00-$130.00, large square none reported. Ground and delivered locally to feed lots and dairies $150.00-$170.00. Sudan large rounds and large squares none reported. Bluestem, large round, new crop 75.00. Teff none reported. Wheat straw none reported. The week of 8/18-8/24, 4,145T of grinding alfalfa and 0T of dairy alfalfa was reported bought or sold. The average paid by feedlots on August 1 for alfalfa ground and delivered was $177.20, down $11.40 from the previous month. Usage was 477T/day, down 13% from last month and total usage was 14,778.5T.

South Central Kansas
Demand light. Trade activity is slow. Dairy alfalfa prices steady. Grinding alfalfa and alfalfa pellet price steady, Ground and delivered steady. Alfalfa: Dairy $1.15-$1.25/point RFV. Alfalfa, supreme, small square, new crop $13/bale. Good, Stock cow, none reported. Fair/good grinding alfalfa, large rounds $100.00–$110.00 delivered, 3×4 and 4×4’s $110.00-$120.00 delivered. Alfalfa ground and delivered $145.00-$160.00. Alfalfa pellets: Sun cured 15 pct protein $240.00-$250.00, 17 pct protein $240.00-$250.00, Dehydrated 17 pct protein $375.00. Grass hay: Bluestem, large rounds $110.00. Brome, large rounds $110.00-$120.00. The week of 8/18-8/24, 4,642T of grinding alfalfa and 950T of dairy alfalfa was reported bought or sold. The average paid by feedlots on August 1 for alfalfa ground and delivered was $164.38, down $0.58 from the previous month. Usage was 192T/day, down 8% from last month and total usage was 5,959.5T.

Southeast Kansas
Demand light. Trade activity is slow. Bluestem and brome hay price remain steady. Alfalfa: horse or goat, none reported. Dairy, none reported. Good, stock cow, new crop $115.00-$130.00. Fair/good grinding alfalfa, none reported. Grass hay: Bluestem, new crop small squares $160.00-$180.00, medium square 3×3 $125.00-150.00, large round, $110.00-$130.00, large square none reported. Brome, mid square old crop $125.00-$150.00, large rounds $150.00-$175.00, large square 3×4 and 4×4’s none reported, wheat straw large square $70.00. The week of 8/18-8/24, 1,570T of grass hay was reported bought or sold.

Northwest Kansas
Demand light. Trade activity is slow. Alfalfa: horse, none reported. Dairy, Premium/Supreme, none reported. Stock cow, good, none reported. Fair/good grinding alfalfa large round $100.00; Sudan large rounds none reported.

North Central-Northeast Kansas
Demand light. Trade activity is slow. Dairy alfalfa price is steady, grinding alfalfa mostly steady, ground and delivered steady, and grass hay steady. Alfalfa: Dairy $1.15-$1.25/point RFV; Horse hay none reported; Stock Cow good $180.00; Fair/good, grinding alfalfa, large rounds $100.00-$120.00, Mid square and large square none reported. Alfalfa ground and delivered $180.00. Premium alfalfa, large square 3×4 and 4×4’s $240.00-$250.00, Grass hay: Bluestem, small squares $8.00/bale, large rounds $75.00.00-$100.00/t, large square 3×4 and 4×4’s none reported. Brome: small squares $9.00-$10.00/bale, large rounds $110.00-$120.00, large square $130.00. Wheat straw: none reported. The week of 8/18-8/24, 501T of grinding alfalfa and 175T 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