This past week, demand was light to moderate in the southwest and south-central regions, but light for all other regions. Trades also bumped up again with folks wanting to get rid of hay prior to the first cut. Prices were mostly steady, with only bales of grinding alfalfa falling, in the south-central region. Many contributing producers reported getting all their corn planted before, gratefully, receiving rain. Total amounts of rain varied between a trace to over three inches. According to the U.S. Drought Monitor for the week of April 22nd, heavy rains, amounting to several inches in some places, doused southeastern Kansas. Dryness and drought broadly improved by one category across a large section of the southeastern region. Elsewhere, amounts exceeded 0.5 inch in several scattered areas of central Kansas. Currently, less than half of normal rainfall has been reported over the past 90 days in some areas of central and southern Kansas. The categorical percent area of abnormally dry conditions (D0) fell to 17%, Moderate drought (D1) remained steady at 63%, Severe drought (D2) decreased to less than 1%, 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 Report

Southwest Kansas Demand, light to moderate. Trade activity is slow to moderate. Dairy alfalfa, grinding alfalfa, 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 4/20-4/26, 8,053T of grinding alfalfa and 0T of dairy alfalfa was reported bought or sold.

South Central Kansas Demand, light to moderate. Trade activity is slow to moderate. Dairy alfalfa, alfalfa pellets and ground and delivered, steady. Grinding alfalfa is $10.00 lower. Alfalfa: Dairy $0.95-$1.05/point RFV. Good, Stock cow, $115.00-$125.00. Fair/good grinding alfalfa, large rounds $100.00–$110.00 (-10) delivered, 3×4 and 4×4’s $100.00-$110.00 (-10) 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 4/20-4/26, 7,113.5T of grinding alfalfa and 159T 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, 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 $115.00-$125.00. Brome, small squares $6.00-$10.00/bale, large rounds $100.00-$110.00 (-5), 3×4 and 4×4’s $100.00-$110.00. Wheat straw large square $70.00. The week of 4/20-4/26, 514T 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. 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 4/20-4/26, 796T of grinding alfalfa and 700T 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.