This past week, demand was light, and trades remained slow. Prices were mostly steady. Contributors continued to talk about the worsting drought conditions as many are busy in the fields preparing for the planting season. According to the U.S. Drought Monitor for the week of March 18th, significant changes were largely limited to Kansas, where expansion or introduction of abnormal dryness (D0) and moderate to severe drought (D1 to D2) resulted from mostly warm, dry, windy weather. By March 16, the U.S. Department of Agriculture indicated that statewide topsoil moisture in Kansas was rated 47% very short to short. The categorical percent area of abnormally dry conditions (D0) decreased to 41%, Moderate drought (D1) increased to 46%, Severe drought (D2) increased to 2%, 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 REPORT

Southwest Kansas Demand, light. Trade activity is slow. 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 CRP $75.00/bale. The week of 3/16-3/22, 4,117.5 T of grinding alfalfa and 0.0 T of dairy alfalfa was reported bought or sold.

South Central Kansas Demand, light to moderate. Trade activity is slow to moderate. Dairy alfalfa, grinding alfalfa, ground and delivered, steady. Alfalfa pellet steady. Alfalfa: Dairy $1.00-$1.10/point RFV. Good, Stock cow, $115.00-$125.00. Fair/good grinding alfalfa, large rounds $105.00–$115.00 delivered, 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 3/16-3/22, 7,185 T of grinding alfalfa and 75 T 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 $145.00-$160.00, 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 3/16-3/22, 1,628 T 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 $75.00-$85.00, 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 3/16-3/22, 591 T of grinding alfalfa and 167 T 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.