This past week, demand remained light, and prices were mostly steady, however, the volume of hay transported was up. The hay market seems to be sluggish, as there is a lot of silage and high moisture corn out there to feed. Customers are in no hurry to buy hay at this time, and some producers are in no hurry to sell at lower prices. Producers are busy in the fields finishing up corn harvest and planting wheat. Some folks are also finishing up with the last cutting of alfalfa for the season. According to the US Drought Monitor’s High Plains summary for the week of September 24th, aside from Kansas, where rainfall provided widespread drought relief, most of the High Plains experienced unchanged or worsening drought conditions. The categorical percent area for abnormally dry conditions (D0) increased to 45%, moderate drought (D1) decreased to 40.5%, severe drought (D2) decreased to 6%, and no extreme drought (D3) or exceptional drought (D4) was recorded. Only 9% of the state is NOT experiencing any type of drought. Prices below reflect the average price. There could be prices higher and lower than those published. https://mymarketnews.ams.usda.gov/filerepo/sites/default/files/2885/2024-09-23/871449/ams_2885_00223.pdfFULL REPORT

Southwest Kansas
Demand light. Trade activity is slow. Dairy alfalfa, grinding alfalfa and ground and delivered alfalfa prices, steady. Alfalfa: Dairy, $1.15-$1.25/point RFV. Good, Stock or Dry Cow none reported. Fair/good, grinding alfalfa, large rounds $95.00-$110.00, large square $95.00-110.00. Ground and delivered locally to feed lots and dairies $140.00-$150.00. Bluestem, none reported. The week of 9/22-9/28, 9,189T of grinding alfalfa and 0T of dairy alfalfa was reported bought or sold.

South Central Kansas
Demand light. Trade activity is slow. Dairy alfalfa prices steady. Grinding alfalfa mixed and ground and delivered and alfalfa pellet price was steady. Alfalfa: Dairy $1.15-$1.25/point RFV. Good, Stock cow, none reported. Fair/good grinding alfalfa, large rounds $110.00–$115.00 delivered, 3×4 and 4×4’s $105.00-$115.00 delivered. Alfalfa ground and delivered $140.00-$155.00. Alfalfa pellets: Sun cured 15 pct protein $230.00-$240.00, 17 pct protein $240.00-$250.00, 17% dehydrated $365. Grass hay: Bluestem, rounds and squares $100.00-125.00. Brome, $110.00-$120.00. The week of 9/22-9/28, 7,035T of grinding alfalfa and 1,025T of dairy alfalfa was reported bought or sold.

Southeast Kansas
Demand light. Trade activity is slow. Bluestem and brome hay price remain steady. Alfalfa: horse or goat, none reported. Dairy, $1.15-$1.25/point RFV. Good, stock cow, none reported. Fair/good grinding alfalfa, none reported. Grass hay: Bluestem large round $110.00-$120.00, 3×4 and 4×4’s $120.00-$140.00. Brome 3×4 and 4×4’s $135.00-$145.00. Wheat straw large square $70.00. The week of 9/22-9/28, 2,026T of grass hay was reported bought or sold.

Northwest Kansas
Little to no demand. Trade activity is slow. Alfalfa: horse, $175.00-$185.00. 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, grinding alfalfa, ground and delivered and grass hay all steady. Alfalfa: Dairy $1.15-$1.25/point RFV; Stock Cow good, none reported; Fair/good, grinding alfalfa, large rounds
$90.00-$100.00. Alfalfa ground and delivered $150.00-$160.00.00. Grass hay: Bluestem, small squares $8.00-$9.00/bale, large rounds $80.00.00-$110.00/t. Brome: small squares $9.00-$10.00/bale, large rounds $100.00-$120.00/t, large square 3×4 and 4×4 $130.00/t. Wheat straw: none reported. The week of 9/22-9/28, 426T of grinding alfalfa and 250T 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