Hay movement remained steady over the past week, with most activity limited to previously contracted loads. An abundance of average hay continues to keep prices stable across all classes. Warmer temperatures and increased sunshine provided welcome relief to producers, helping to alleviate muddy conditions resulting from the prior week’s rainfall and snow. According to the US Drought Monitor for the week of December 11th, conditions across the High Plains changed very little this week as much of the region received only light precipitation and remained colder than normal. The Dakotas saw little meaningful moisture, and Nebraska saw none, leaving drought conditions unchanged. In Kansas, a lack of precipitation combined with continued short-term dryness led to an expansion of abnormal dryness (D0) that stretched into northeastern Oklahoma. In Kansas, the categorical percent area of abnormally dry conditions (D0) increased to 22%, Moderate drought (D1) stayed at 5.5%, and there was no severe (D2), extreme (D3) or exceptional drought (D4) recorded, with more than 72% 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, grinding alfalfa, ground and delivered, and grass hay, steady. Alfalfa: Dairy, $0.90-$0.95/point RFV. Good quality, stock or dry cow $140.00-$150.00 delivered. Fair/good, grinding alfalfa, large rounds and large squares $100.00-$115.00 delivered. Ground and delivered locally to feed lots and dairies $145.00-$155.00. Alfalfa pellets: Sun cured 15 and 17 pct protein $230.00. Alfalfa, small square $10.00/bale. Bluestem, large round $115.00, large square $90.00 delivered. Brome, large square $160.00 delivered, small square $10.00/bale. Rye grass, large square $100.00 delivered. The week of 12/7-12/13, 7,843 T of grinding alfalfa, 450T of dairy alfalfa, and 409 ton of grass hay was reported bought or sold.

South Central Kansas – Demand light to moderate. Trade slow to moderate. Dairy alfalfa, ground and delivered, and grass hay, all steady. 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 $105.00–$115.00 delivered. Alfalfa ground and delivered $140.00-$150.00. Alfalfa pellets: Sun cured 15 pct protein $210.00–$215.00, 17% dehydrated $335. Bluestem, large round $100.00 delivered. Brome, large round and large square $120.00–$125.00 delivered, small square $9.00/bale. Teff, large square $140.00. Wheat, large round and large square $75.00-$85.00. The week of 12/7-12/13, 10,140T of grinding alfalfa, 400T of dairy alfalfa, and 186 ton of grass hay was reported bought or sold.

Southeast Kansas – Demand light to moderate. Trade slow to moderate. Dairy alfalfa, grinding alfalfa, stock cow, and grass hay all steady. Dairy, $1.00-$1.05/point RFV. Good, stock cow, $140.00-$150.00. Fair/good grinding alfalfa, large squares $105.00–$115.00 delivered. Bluestem, large round $70.00-$80.00, large squares $110.00-$120.00, small squares $160.00-$170.00. Brome, large square $125.00-135.00, small square $200.00. Wheat, large round $100.00. The week of 12/7-12/13, 1,250T of grass hay, 275T of grinding alfalfa, and 50T of dairy alfalfa 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, alfalfa ground and delivered, all steady. Stock cow $5 higher, grinding alfalfa $10 lower. Alfalfa: Dairy $.90-$1.00/point RFV; Good stock cow, $160.00-$170.00, delivered. Fair/good, grinding alfalfa, large rounds and squares $95.00-$105.00 delivered. Alfalfa ground and delivered $135.00-$145.00.00. Bluestem, large round $95.00-$105.00, small square $9.00/bale. Brome, large round $150.00. Wheat, large square $90.00. The week of 12/7-12/13, 976T of grinding alfalfa, 50T of dairy alfalfa, and 457Tton 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.