This past week, demand was light to moderate in the southwest, but light for all other regions. Trade was lower by 2,400 tons and prices were mixed. Overall, grinding alfalfa price fell in most regions, while ground and delivered price rose. New crop pricing is on everyone’s mind but has not been officially reported yet. Although many areas received rain, the recent rain events were not drought busters. A possible hot dry summer will most likely be factored in, in determining new crop pricing. According to the U.S. Drought Monitor for the week of April 29th, A fairly dry week led to deterioration across southwestern Kansas, and southeastern Colorado. Farther north and east, however, widespread heavy rains were noted in several swaths of the Plains, leading to reductions in the intensity and extent of dryness and drought. Improvements were most widespread across central and northwestern Kansas. Still, despite the improvement in many areas, 60-day precipitation totals were under 25 percent of normal in southwestern Kansas and southeastern Colorado, with less than half of normal reported in adjacent areas plus parts of central Kansas. The categorical percent area of abnormally dry conditions (D0) increased to 43%, Moderate drought (D1) fell to 33%, Severe drought (D2) increased to near 4%, 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, ground and delivered, steady. Grinding alfalfa $5.00 lower, 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 $90.00-$100.00, large square $90.00-100.00. 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 4/27-5/03, 8,191T of grinding alfalfa and 0T of dairy alfalfa was reported bought or sold.

South Central Kansas Demand, light. Trade activity is slow. Dairy alfalfa, alfalfa pellets, steady. Grinding alfalfa steady. Ground and delivered, $5.00 higher. 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 delivered, 3×4 and 4×4’s $100.00-$110.00 delivered. Alfalfa ground and delivered $140.00-$150.00. Alfalfa pellets: Sun cured 15 pct protein $215.00-$220.00, 17 pct protein $220.00-$225.00, 17% dehydrated $340. Grass hay: Bluestem, rounds and squares $80.00-$90.00. Brome, none reported. Sudan, large rounds, $50.00-$60.00. The week of 4/27-5/03, 5,271.5T of grinding alfalfa and 159T of dairy alfalfa was reported bought or sold.

Southeast Kansas Demand light. Trade activity is slow. Dairy alfalfa, steady. Bluestem $5.00 lower, and 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 $70.00-$80.00, 3×4 and 4×4’s $110.00-$120.00. Brome, small squares $6.00-$10.00/bale, large rounds $100.00-$110.00, 3×4 and 4×4’s $105.00-$115.00. Wheat straw large square $70.00. The week of 4/27-5/03, 516T 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 steady. Grinding alfalfa steady to $5.00 lower. Alfalfa ground and delivered steady to $5.00 higher. Bluestem grass, mostly steady. Brome, steady. Alfalfa: Dairy $1.00-$1.05/point RFV; Horse or goat small squares $10.00-$12.00/bale; Stock Cow good, $140.00-$150.00; Fair/good, grinding alfalfa, large rounds $70.00-$80.00, 3×4 and 4×4 $105.00-$115 delivered. Alfalfa ground and delivered $140.00-$150.00.00. Grass hay: Bluestem, small squares $8.00-$8.50/bale, large rounds $65.00-$75.00, large squares $80.00-$90.00. 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 4/27-5/03, 857.5T of grinding alfalfa and 675T 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.