This past week, demand was light, but trade bumped up a bit. Prices were mixed. Producers state there was a bit more interest in purchasing hay last week but still had difficulty coming to an agreement on price. Many also reported that they had sold out of hay or had sold all they are going to for the year, with the anticipated dry summer approaching. Drought is taking its toll on the plants with reports of alfalfa and wheat stands going backwards. Pivots have already been fired in many areas out west for a while now. According to the U.S. Drought Monitor for the week of April 15th, across the High Plains, ongoing drought or abnormal dryness mostly stayed the same or worsened after dry weather occurred across the region and warmer-than-normal temperatures overspread the Great Plains and central Rocky Mountains. Moderate drought expanded in western and east-central Kansas this week, where streamflow and soil moisture dropped amid growing precipitation deficits. The categorical percent area of abnormally dry conditions (D0) fell to 18%, Moderate drought (D1) increased to 63%, 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. USDA-AMS

Southwest Kansas Demand, light. Trade activity is slow. Dairy alfalfa, grinding alfalfa, alfalfa and ground and delivered, steady. Alfalfa: Dairy, $1.00-$1.10/point RFV. Good quality, Stock or Dry Cow hay $120.00-$130.00. 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 4/13-4/19, 6,286.5T of grinding alfalfa and 0T of dairy alfalfa was reported bought or sold.

South Central Kansas Demand, light to moderate. Trade activity is slow. Dairy alfalfa, and alfalfa pellet steady. Grinding alfalfa is mostly steady, Alfalfa pellets and Ground and delivered $5.00 lower. 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 $110.00-$125.00 delivered. Alfalfa ground and delivered $135.00-$145.00. Alfalfa pellets: Sun cured 15 pct protein $215.00-$220.00, 17 pct protein $220.00-$225.00, 17% dehydrated $340. Grass hay: Bluestem and brome, none reported. Sudan, large rounds, $50.00-$60.00. The week of 4/13-4/19, 6,897T of grinding alfalfa and 25T of dairy alfalfa was reported bought or sold.

Southeast Kansas Demand light. Trade activity is slow. Dairy alfalfa, steady. Bluestem, $5.00-$10.00 lower. Brome hay price steady to $5.00 higher. 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 $75.00-$85.00, 3×4 and 4×4’s $105.00-$125.00. Brome, small squares $6.00-$10.00/bale, large rounds $105.00-$115.00, 3×4 and 4×4’s $100.00-$110.00. Wheat straw large square $70.00. The week of 4/13-4/19, 733.50T of grass hay was reported bought or sold.

Northwest Kansas Little to no demand. Trade activity is slow. Alfalfa: horse, $135.00-$145.00. Stock cow, good, none reported. Fair/good grinding alfalfa large round and squares $90.00-$100.00; Sudan large rounds $70.00.

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-$120.00 delivered. 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 4/13-4/19, 865T of grinding alfalfa and 775T 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.