This past week, demand was light, and trades picked up a bit. Prices were steady for all regions. Two words seem to be on everyone’s lips “dry” and “drought”. Although the wheat and alfalfa look pretty good so far, if rain is not received soon, they will begin to go backwards. The dry conditions are prompting some, to be a little more reluctant to give up their hay at these lower prices. Pellets, however, don’t seem to have a problem going out the door. Weevil have arrived in the state, and producers are greeting them with a couple rounds of insecticide. According to the U.S. Drought Monitor for the week of April 8th, the categorical percent area of abnormally dry conditions (D0) decreased to 29%, Moderate drought (D1) decreased to 53%, Severe drought (D2) remained steady at 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, alfalfa and ground and delivered, steady. Grinding alfalfa mostly steady. Alfalfa: Dairy, $1.00-$1.10/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 $150.00-$160.00. Grass Hay: Bluestem, large rounds CRP $75.00/bale. The week of 4/6-4/12, 6,116.5T of grinding alfalfa and 0T of dairy alfalfa was reported bought or sold. The average paid by feedlots on April 1 for alfalfa ground and delivered was $150.47, down $2.17 from the previous month. Usage was 585T/day, up 13.5% from last month and total usage was 18,124.5T.

South Central Kansas Demand, light to moderate. Trade activity is slow to moderate. Dairy alfalfa, grinding alfalfa, ground and delivered, and alfalfa pellet steady. Alfalfa: Dairy $0.95-$1.05/point RFV. Good, Stock cow, $115.00-$125.00. Fair/good grinding alfalfa, large rounds $110.00–$120.00 delivered, 3×4 and 4×4’s $105.00-$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 and brome, none reported. Sudan, large rounds, $50.00-$60.00. The week of 4/6-4/12, 8,123.5T of grinding alfalfa and 75Tof dairy alfalfa was reported bought or sold. The average paid by feedlots on April 1 for alfalfa ground and delivered was $137.71, up $0.71 from the previous month. Usage was 175T/day, down 33% from last month and total usage was 5,422.5T.

Southeast Kansas Demand light. Trade activity is slow. Dairy alfalfa, bluestem and brome hay price, steady. Alfalfa: horse or goat, small squares $7.50-$8.50/bale delivered. Dairy, $1.05-$1.10/point RFV. Good, stock cow, 120.00-125.00. Fair/good grinding alfalfa, none reported. 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 $100.00-$110.00. Wheat straw large square $70.00. The week of 4/6-4/12, 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 $1.00-$1.05/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 $65.00-$75.00, 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. Wheat straw, large round $60.00-$70.00. The week of 4/6-4/12, 615T of grinding alfalfa and 1,425T 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.