This past week, demand was light, and prices were steady. Trade remains slow to moderate. Rain, rain, and more rain. It has been great for the crops but sure makes it hard to put up hay. Conversations continued to revolve around the fact that there sure is a lot of forage out there, and with grain prices so low, it is no wonder sales are slow. Pellets, however, continue to move briskly. According to the U.S. Drought Monitor for the week of August 26th, The High Plains region experienced a mix of drought improvement and deterioration. The region’s most significant drought exists across western sections of Colorado and Wyoming. During the drought-monitoring period, the most significant drought improvement occurred in central Colorado, although there were also targeted improvements in Kansas, Nebraska, and South Dakota. The categorical percent area of abnormally dry conditions (D0) increased to near 17%, Moderate drought (D1) remained at 3%, Severe drought (D2) was eliminated, 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.

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 $120.00-$125.00 delivered. Ground and delivered locally to feed lots and dairies $150.00-$160.00. The week of 8/24-8/30, 7,680T of grinding alfalfa and 75T of dairy alfalfa was reported bought or sold.

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–$110.00 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 8/24-8/30, 5,894.5T of grinding alfalfa and 250T of dairy alfalfa was reported bought or sold.

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-$145.00. Brome, large rounds $75.00-$85.00, large square $120.00-130.00. Wheat straw large square $60.00-$70.00. The week of 8/24-8/30 1,656T 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 8/24-8/30, 1,807T of grinding alfalfa and 250T of dairy alfalfa was reported bought or sold.

This will be my last report as I am retiring this week. Tessa Beeman will be your new Hay Market Reporter. It has been a pleasure and honor serving as your hay reporter. Thank you.

THIS HAS BEEN YOUR KANSAS HAY MARKET REPORT. THIS IS KIM NETTLETON WITH THE KANSAS DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, MANHATTAN, KS.