Depending on location, there has been a slight increase in demand this past week, with more grass hay and grinder hay moving to support the increase in cattle coming off grass. While the increase is positive, it is expected to return to normal demand in the next few weeks. Many producers are wrapping up corn and soybean harvest and some areas of the state are awaiting a hard freeze to begin sorghum harvest. Overall, hay movement and price across the state is steady. According to the US Drought Monitor for the week of November 6^th, the High Plains Region is currently the Region least-affected by dryness and drought even though coverage in sum increased slightly this past week when most of the region reported a few tenths of an inch of precipitation at best. Measurable totals were restricted to eastern Kansas and southeastern Nebraska. The dry week induced a few areas of deterioration, but even so, less than 39 percent of the Region is experiencing some degree of dryness (D0+), and only 17.8 percent is enduring drought (D1+). Precipitation deficits on most time frames crept upward Region-wide, but areas of deterioration were relatively limited given the relatively low natural and human water demand this time of year. In Kansas, the categorical percent area of abnormally dry conditions (D0) stayed at near 16%, Moderate drought (D1) stayed at 7%, severe drought (D2) stayed at more than 1%, and there was no extreme (D3) or exceptional drought (D4) recorded, with 75% of the state experiencing no drought. Prices below reflect the average price. There could be prices higher and lower prices than those published.

Southwest Kansas – Demand light to moderate. Trade slow to moderate. Dairy alfalfa, ground and delivered, and grass hay, all steady. Alfalfa pellets $5 higher. Alfalfa: Dairy, $0.95-$1.00/point RFV. Fair/good, grinding alfalfa, large rounds and large squares $110.00-$125.00 delivered. Ground and delivered locally to feed lots and dairies $145.00-$155.00. Alfalfa pellets: Sun cured 15 pct protein $225.00, 17% protein $230.00. Alfalfa, small square $10.00/bale. Bluestem, large square $90.00. Brome, large square $160.00 delivered. The week of 11/2-11/9, 10,978 T of grinding alfalfa and 550T of dairy alfalfa was reported bought or sold. The average paid by feedlots on October 1 for alfalfa ground and delivered was $158.29, up $1.30 from the previous month. Usage was 572 tons per day, down 1% from last month and total usage was 17,736T.

South Central Kansas – Demand light to moderate. Trade slow to moderate. Dairy alfalfa, grinding alfalfa steady, ground and delivered, and alfalfa pellets all steady. Grass hay $5 lower. Alfalfa: Dairy $1.00-$1.05/point RFV. Good quality, stock or dry cow $130.00-$140.00. Fair/good grinding alfalfa, large rounds and squares $110.00–$120.00 delivered. Alfalfa ground and delivered $140.00-$150.00. Alfalfa pellets: Sun cured 15 pct protein $215.00, 17% dehydrated $335. Alfalfa/Oat mix, chopped $147.00. Grass hay, bluestem, large round $100.00 delivered. Brome, large round and large square $100.00-$115.00, small square $9/bale. Wheat, large square $75.00-$85.00. The week of 11/2-11/9, 7,162.5T of grinding alfalfa and 450T of dairy alfalfa was reported bought or sold. The average paid by feedlots on October 1 for alfalfa ground and delivered was $131.51, up $2.90 from the previous month. Usage was 203 tons per day and total usage was 6,287T.

Southeast Kansas – Demand light to moderate. Trade slow to moderate. Dairy alfalfa and stock cow steady, small square prairie hay $10 higher. Dairy, $1.00-$1.05/point RFV. Good, stock cow, $110.00-$120.00. Fair/good grinding alfalfa, large squares $115.00–$125.00 delivered. Grass hay: Bluestem, large round $70.00-$80.00, large squares $100.00-$120.00, small squares $140.00-$155.00. Brome, large round and large square $120.00-130.00, small square $200.00. The week of 11/2-11/9, 1,092T of grass hay was reported bought or sold.

Northwest Kansas – Demand light. Trade activity slow. Stock cow, none reported. Fair/good grinding alfalfa, large squares $110.00-$120.00. Alfalfa, medium square 3×3, $150.00, small square $175.00.

North Central-Northeast Kansas – Demand light to moderate. Trade activity slow to moderate. Dairy alfalfa, grinding alfalfa, alfalfa ground and delivered, all steady, stock cow and prairie hay $5 higher. Alfalfa: Dairy $.90-$1.00/point RFV; Good stock cow, $140.00-$150.00; Fair/good, grinding alfalfa, large rounds and squares $105.00-$115.00 delivered. Alfalfa ground and delivered $135.00-$145.00.00. Alfalfa/Oat mix, chopped, $110.00-120.00. Grass hay, Bluestem, large round and large square $75.00-$100.00, small square $9.00/bale. Brome, large rounds $90.00-$110.00. The week of 11/2-11/9, 938T of grinding alfalfa, 75T of dairy alfalfa, and 460 ton of grass hay was reported bought or sold.

Wrapping up your Kansas Hay Market Report. This is Tessa Beeman with the Kansas Department of Agriculture, Manhattan, KS, baling out until next time.