This past week, demand was light, trade was slow to moderate, and prices were steady. Rain across the state continues to hamper hay harvest, but many are thankful for the rain, as it has saved their corn and sudan. Overall, most report that second cut was good to very good and yield was slightly above average. Sentiment remains that there will be plenty of grinding hay available. According to the U.S. Drought Monitor for the week of July 22nd, improvements were made in the region, namely in central northern Kansas, southeastern Nebraska, and South Dakota, where shorter-term precipitation (past 30-60 days) was normal to above normal. Additionally, these areas were showing improvements in other drought indicators including soil moisture, streamflow activity, and crop-related vegetation health indices. Light-to-heavy rainfall accumulations (ranging from 1 to 10 inches) were observed, with the heaviest amounts impacting northern Kansas and southeastern Nebraska. The categorical percent area of abnormally dry conditions (D0) decreased to 22%, Moderate drought (D1) decreased to near 5%, Severe drought (D2) decreased to 1%, and no Extreme drought (D3) or Exceptional drought (D4) was recorded. Prices below reflect the average price. There could be higher and lower prices than those published. FULL REPORT

Southwest Kansas Demand, light. Trade slow to moderate. Dairy alfalfa, grinding alfalfa, ground and delivered alfalfa all steady. Alfalfa: Dairy, $1.00-$1.10/point RFV. Good quality, Stock or Dry Cow $130.00. Fair/good, grinding alfalfa, large rounds $110.00-$125.00 delivered and large squares $120.00-$125.00 delivered. Ground and delivered locally to feed lots and dairies $150.00-$160.00. The week of 7/20-7/26, 4982.50T of grinding alfalfa and 0T of dairy alfalfa was reported bought or sold. The average paid by feedlots on July 1 for alfalfa ground and delivered was $161.95, down $2.22 from the previous month. Usage was 468T/day, down 11.5% from last month and total usage was 14,031T.

South Central Kansas Demand, light. Trade activity, slow. Dairy alfalfa, alfalfa pellets, steady. Grinding alfalfa mostly steady, Ground and delivered $5.00 higher. Alfalfa: small squares $10/bale. Alfalfa: Dairy $1.00-$1.10/point RFV. Good, Stock cow, $125.00-$135.00. Fair/good grinding alfalfa, large rounds $105.00–$115.00 delivered, 3×4 and 4×4’s $110.00-$120.00 delivered. Alfalfa ground and delivered $140.00-$150.00. Alfalfa pellets: Sun cured 15 pct protein $210.00-$215.00, 17% dehydrated $340. Grass hay: Bluestem, none reported. Brome, medium square $120.00-$130.00. The week of 7/20-7/26, 6,451T of grinding alfalfa and 550T of dairy alfalfa was reported bought or sold. The average paid by feedlots on July 1 for alfalfa ground and delivered was $147.54, down $1.53 from the previous month. Usage was 152T/day, up 15% from last month and total usage was 4,570T.

Southeast Kansas Demand, light. Trade activity, slow. Dairy alfalfa steady, bluestem and brome hay price mostly steady. Dairy, $1.05-$1.10/point RFV. Alfalfa, small square $8.00-$10.00/bale. Good, stock cow, none reported. Fair/good grinding alfalfa, large square, first cut $100.00-125.00. Grass hay: Bluestem, large round $70.00-$80.00, 3×4
and 4×4’s $110.00-$120.00, small squares $140.00-$160.00. Brome, large square $120.00-130.00. Wheat straw large square $60.00-$70.00. The week of 7/20-7/26, 1,182T of grass hay was reported bought or sold.

Northwest Kansas Little to no demand. Trade activity is very slow. Stock cow, good, none reported. Horse hay, small squares $195.00-$205.00. Fair/good grinding alfalfa large round and squares $90.00-$100.00. Wheat straw, large squares $90.00

North Central-Northeast Kansas Demand light. Trade activity is slow. Dairy alfalfa, grinding alfalfa, alfalfa ground and delivered, bluestem, and brome, all steady. Alfalfa, horse hay, small square $10.00-12.00/bale, Alfalfa: Dairy $1.00-$1.05/point RFV; Stock Cow good, none reported; Fair/good, grinding alfalfa, large rounds $70.00-$80.00, 3×4 and 4×4 $105.00-$115 delivered. Alfalfa ground and delivered $135.00-$145.00.00. Grass hay: Bluestem, large rounds $75.00-$85.00, large square $90.00-$100.00. Brome: large squares 125.00-135.00. Wheat Straw, large round and large square $45.00-65.00. The week of 7/20-7/26, 833T of grinding alfalfa and 225T 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.