This past week, demand was light, and trades remained slow. Prices were mostly steady. Contributors to the hay market report, state that trades are incredibly slow. Many have not seen anything like this before and equate low cattle numbers to the lack of hay sales. However, producers also state that before they sell their hay below production cost, they will shed it or feed it to their own livestock. Contributors also talked about the worsting drought conditions, not just across Kansas, but other Great Plains states. Many indicated that it might be wise to hold onto the 2024 hay that they have been unable to sell. According to the U.S. Drought Monitor for the week of March 11th, light to moderate precipitation fell on a small area of northwest Kansas. Farther south, continued subnormal precipitation induced a broad area of deterioration in central and western Kansas. During the last 90 days, less than half of normal precipitation was measured across south-central and southwestern Kansas, receiving less than 25% of normal. The categorical percent area of abnormally dry conditions (D0) increased to 58%, Moderate drought (D1) increased to 28%, 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 REPOPRT

Southwest Kansas Demand, light to moderate. Trade activity is slow to moderate. Dairy alfalfa, grinding alfalfa, alfalfa and ground and delivered, 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 $100.00-$110.00, large square $100.00-110.00. Ground and delivered locally to feed lots and dairies $150.00-$160.00. Grass Hay: Bluestem, large rounds and squares $80.00-$85.00 delivered. The week of 3/12-3/15, 4,716.50 T of grinding alfalfa and 12.5T of dairy alfalfa was reported bought or sold.

South Central Kansas Demand, light to moderate. Trade activity is slow to moderate. Dairy alfalfa and ground and delivered, steady. Alfalfa pellet mostly steady. Grinding alfalfa steady to $5.00 lower. Alfalfa: Dairy $1.00-$1.10/point RFV. Good, Stock cow, $110.00-$120.00. Fair/good grinding alfalfa, large rounds $105.00–$115.00 delivered, +5 3×4 and 4×4’s $100.00-$115.00 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 $340. Grass hay: Bluestem, none reported. Brome, none reported. Sudan, large rounds, $50.00-$60.00. The week of 3/12-3/15, 6,546.50T of grinding alfalfa and 150T 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, 120.00-125.00. Fair/good grinding alfalfa, large squares $105.00-$115.00. Grass hay: Bluestem small squares $160.00-$165.00, large round $80.00-$95.00, 3×4 and 4×4’s $100.00-$120.00. Brome, small squares $6.00-$10.00/bale, large rounds $100.00-$110.00, 3×4 and 4×4’s $110.00-$125.00. Wheat straw large square $70.00. The week of 3/12-3/15, 1,436T 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, grinding alfalfa, ground and delivered steady. Brome and bluestem grass steady. Alfalfa: Dairy $1.10-$1.20/point RFV; Horse or goat small squares 13.00/bale; Stock Cow good, $140.00-$150.00; Fair/good, grinding alfalfa, large rounds $80.00-$90.00, 3×4 and 4×4 $100.00-$105.00. Alfalfa ground and delivered $135.00-$145.00.00. Grass hay: Bluestem, small squares $8.00-$8.50/bale, large rounds $75.00-$85.00, large squares $85.00-$95.00. Brome: small squares $8.00-$9.00/bale, large rounds $80.00-$90.00, large square 3×4 and 4×4 none reported. The week of 3/12-3/15, 409.5T of grinding alfalfa and 117T 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.