This past week, demand remained light, and prices were mostly steady. The supply of hay available remains heavy as almost all contributors indicated that there is lots of hay sitting around. Those producers wanting to sell their hay are discouraged by the lower prices and many have chosen to hold onto their hay until prices rise. Cattle are still grazing on wheat and rye in some areas and the warm and dry weather all contribute to less hay being fed. According to the U.S. Drought Monitor for December 10th, except for parts of the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains in Colorado, weather across the High Plains region was mostly dry this past week. Temperatures were primarily warmer than normal, ranging from 3-12 degrees above normal in most areas. Drought and abnormal dryness coverage remained mostly unchanged. The categorical percent area of abnormally dry conditions (D0) decreased to 38%, Moderate drought (D1) remained at 29%, and no Severe drought (D2), 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 light. Trade activity is slow. Dairy alfalfa, grinding alfalfa, ground and delivered price steady. Alfalfa: Dairy, $1.05-$1.15/point RFV. Good quality, Stock or Dry Cow hay $120.00-$130.00. Fair/good, grinding alfalfa, large rounds $100.00-$110.00, large square $100.00-115.00. Ground and delivered locally to feed lots and dairies $140.00-$145.00. Grass Hay: Bluestem, none reported. Teff, none reported. The week of 12/8-12/14, 7,989T of grinding alfalfa and 0T of dairy alfalfa was reported bought or sold. The average paid by feedlots on December 1 for alfalfa ground and delivered was $152.55, down $10.89 from the previous month. Usage was 532T/day, down 14% from last month and total usage was 15,968T.

South Central Kansas Demand light. Trade activity is slow. Dairy alfalfa, ground and delivered and alfalfa pellet price, steady. Grinding alfalfa steady to $5.00 higher. Alfalfa: Dairy $1.00-$1.10/point RFV. Good, Stock cow, $100.00-$120.00. Fair/good grinding alfalfa, large rounds $100.00–$110.00 delivered, 3×4 and 4×4’s $100.00-$110.00 delivered. Alfalfa ground and delivered $135.00-$145.00. Alfalfa pellets: Sun cured 15 pct protein $220.00-$230.00, 17 pct protein $230.00-$240.00, 17% dehydrated $350. Grass hay: Bluestem, none reported. Brome, large rounds, $100.00-$115.00. The week of 12/8-12/14, 6,307T of grinding alfalfa and 100T of dairy alfalfa was reported bought or sold. The average paid by feedlots on December 1 for alfalfa ground and delivered was $143.40, up $6.01 from the previous month. Usage was 232T/day, up 17% from last month and total usage was 6,972.5T.
Southeast Kansas Demand light. Trade activity is slow. Dairy Alfalfa, Bluestem and Brome hay price remains mostly steady; Alfalfa: horse or goat, none reported. Dairy, $1.10-$1.20/point RFV. Good, stock cow, none reported. Fair/good grinding alfalfa, large squares $115.00-$125.00. Grass hay: Bluestem small squares $160.00-$180.00, large round $95.00-$105.00, 3×4 and 4×4’s $115.00-$130.00. Brome, small squares $6.00-$10.00/bale, large rounds $100.00-$110.00, 3×4 and 4×4’s $125.00-$135.00. Wheat straw large square $70.00. The week of 12/8-12/14, 1,011T 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 and squares $90.00-$100.00; Sudan large rounds none reported.

North Central-Northeast Kansas Demand light. Trade activity is slow. Dairy alfalfa price, ground and delivered and grass hay all steady. Grinding alfalfa mostly steady. Alfalfa: Dairy $1.10-$1.20/point RFV; Horse or goat small squares 12.00/bale; Stock Cow good, $145.00-$155.00; Fair/good, grinding alfalfa, large rounds $90.00-$100.00, 3×4 and 4×4 $115.00-$120.00. Alfalfa ground and delivered $135.00-$145.00.00. Grass hay: Bluestem, small squares $8.00-$9.00/bale, large rounds $80.00.00-$110.00, large squares $110.00-$120.00. Brome: small squares $9.00-$10.00/bale, large square 3×4 and 4×4 $130.00 delivered. The week of 12/8-12/14, 776T of grinding alfalfa and 150T 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