This past week, demand and trades fell off again, after picking up the week before. Prices were mostly steady, and availability of hay remains heavy. Grinders would like to purchase hay but are having difficulty getting it bought at the price they need, leading to a standoff between buyer and seller. According to the U.S. Drought Monitor for the week of February 4th, like much of the central part of the country, the High Plains were 5 to 10 degrees warmer than usual. Little precipitation led to minor improvements in southeast Nebraska, northeast Kansas and along the Wyoming Rockies. The categorical percent area of abnormally dry conditions (D0) increased to near 45%, Moderate drought (D1) decreased to 21%, 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, moderate. Trade activity is slow to moderate. Dairy alfalfa steady, grinding alfalfa and alfalfa and ground delivered price mostly steady. Alfalfa: Dairy, $1.05-$1.15/point RFV. Good quality, Stock or Dry Cow hay $115.00-$125.00. Fair/good, grinding alfalfa, large rounds $95.00-$105.00, large square $95.00-105.00. Ground and delivered locally to feed lots and dairies $145.00-$155.00. Grass Hay: Bluestem, none reported. The week of 2/2-2/8, 6,420T of grinding alfalfa and 150T of dairy alfalfa was reported bought or sold.

South Central Kansas Demand, moderate. Trade activity is slow to moderate. Dairy alfalfa, grinding alfalfa, Ground and delivered and alfalfa pellet price, steady. 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 $140.00-$150.00. Alfalfa pellets: Sun cured 15 pct protein $220.00-$225.00, 17 pct protein $225.00-$230.00, 17% dehydrated $350. Grass hay: Bluestem, none reported. Brome, none reported. Sudan, large rounds, $60.00-$70.00. The week of 2/2-2/8, 6,922.5T of grinding alfalfa and 410T of dairy alfalfa was reported bought or sold.

Southeast Kansas Demand light. Trade activity is slow. Dairy Alfalfa, bluestem and brome hay price, steady. Alfalfa: horse or goat, none reported. Dairy, $1.05-$1.10/point RFV. Good, stock cow, none reported. Fair/good grinding alfalfa, large squares $105.00-$115.00. Grass hay: Bluestem small squares $160.00-$180.00, large round $80.00-$95.00, 3×4 and 4×4’s $95.00-$110.00. Brome, small squares $6.00-$10.00/bale, large rounds $100.00-$110.00, 3×4 and 4×4’s $115.00-$130.00. Wheat straw large square $70.00. The week of 2/2-2/8, 1,435T 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 to moderate. Trade activity is slow. Dairy alfalfa price, grinding alfalfa, ground and delivered and grass hay all steady. Alfalfa: Dairy $1.10-$1.20/point RFV; Horse or goat small squares 13.00/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-$100.00, large squares $110.00-$120.00. Brome: small squares $9.00-$10.00/bale, large square 3×4 and 4×4 none reported. The week of 2/2-2/8, 692T of grinding alfalfa and 112.5T 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.