This past week, demand was light, and prices were steady. Trade remains slow to moderate. Producers continue to bale hay, despite all the rain, because what else are you going to do? Conversations this week revolved around there being lots of grinder hay available but not much high-quality hay. The cooler temperatures are a blessing as our thoughts turn to the upcoming fall. According to the U.S. Drought Monitor for the week of August 19th, The High Plains saw a mixed pattern of drought changes between Aug. 13–19. North Dakota improved the most, as widespread storms erased nearly all dryness, leaving only a small pocket in the northeast. However, Kansas slipped slightly drier, with abnormal dryness spreading into the southwest. The categorical percent area of abnormally dry conditions (D0) increased to 15%, Moderate drought (D1) remained at 3%, Severe drought (D2) remained at less than .50%, 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. USDA_AMS Report

Southwest Kansas Demand, light. Trade slow to moderate. Dairy alfalfa, grinding alfalfa, ground and delivered alfalfa, steady. Alfalfa: Dairy, $1.00-$1.10/point RFV. Good quality, Stock or Dry Cow $130.00-$140.00 delivered. Fair/good, grinding alfalfa, large rounds $110.00-$125.00 delivered and large squares $125.00-$130.00 delivered. Ground and delivered locally to feed lots and dairies $150.00-$160.00. The week of 8/17-8/23, 7,957T of grinding alfalfa and 550T of dairy alfalfa was reported bought or sold. The average paid by feedlots on August 1 for alfalfa ground and delivered was $156.81, down $5.14 from the previous month. Usage was 551T/day, up 17% from last month and total usage was 17,069T.

South Central Kansas Demand, light. Trade activity, slow. Dairy alfalfa, alfalfa pellets, grinding alfalfa, ground and delivered, all steady. 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 $135.00-$145.00. 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 8/17-8/23, 5,051T of grinding alfalfa and 250T of dairy alfalfa was reported bought or sold. The average paid by feedlots on August 1 for alfalfa ground and delivered was $134.55, down $12.99 from the previous month. Usage was 95T/day, down 37% from last month and total usage was 2,949T.

Southeast Kansas Demand, light. Trade activity, slow. Dairy alfalfa steady, bluestem and brome hay price, 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, $95.00-120.00. 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 8/17-8/23 1,449T 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 $65.00-$75.00, 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 rounds $70.00-$80.00, large squares 120.00-130.00. Wheat Straw, large round and large square $45.00-65.00. The week of 8/17-8/23, 1,830T of grinding alfalfa and 275T 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.