Hay movement remains steady and is expected to continue at a similar pace throughout the remainder of the year. Many producers are retaining hay inventories in anticipation of improved pricing next year rather than lowering prices to move supplies in the current market. Warmer than normal weather conditions have allowed livestock to remain on grass and wheat pasture, resulting in forage utilization below typical seasonal levels. According to the US Drought Monitor for the week of December 18th, The High Plains remained largely unchanged this week. Areas of less than one inch of precipitation fell across some areas of the Dakotas and northeastern Wyoming. In east-central South Dakota, this precipitation led to minor improvements with the removal of some abnormal dryness (D0). Nebraska, Colorado, and most of Kansas remained unchanged. In southeastern Kansas along the Kansas-Missouri border, hydrologic deficits led to further deterioration and the expansion of moderate drought (D1). In Kansas, the categorical percent area of abnormally dry conditions (D0) decreased to almost 20%, Moderate drought (D1) increased to 7.5%, 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, all 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 square $90.00 delivered. Brome, large square $160.00 delivered. The week of 12/14-12/20, 7,439T of grinding alfalfa, 525T of dairy alfalfa, and 276T of grass hay was reported bought or sold.

South Central Kansas – Demand light to moderate. Trade slow to moderate. Dairy alfalfa and ground and delivered, steady, brome grass $10 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 $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 $100.00–$120.00, small square $9.00/bale. Teff, large square $140.00. Wheat, large round and large square $75.00-$85.00. The week of 12/14-12/20, 9,451T of grinding alfalfa, 450T 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 and grass hay steady, grinding alfalfa $10 higher, stock cow $5 higher. Dairy, $1.00-$1.05/point RFV. Good, stock cow, $145.00-$155.00. Fair/good grinding alfalfa, large squares $115.00–$125.00 delivered. Bluestem, large round $70.00-$80.00, large squares $110.00-$120.00, small squares $10.00/bale. Brome, large square $125.00-135.00, small square $200.00. Wheat, large round $100.00, delivered. The week of 12/14-12/20, 1,388T of grass hay, 125T of grinding alfalfa, and 75T of dairy alfalfa was reported bought or sold.

Northwest Kansas – Demand light. Trade activity slow. Stock cow, $120.00-$130.00. Fair/good grinding alfalfa, large squares $120.00-$130.00 delivered. Oat hay, large square $95.00-$105.00.

North Central-Northeast Kansas – Demand light to moderate. Trade activity slow to moderate. Dairy alfalfa, stock cow , alfalfa ground and delivered, all steady. G rinding 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 $85.00-$95.00 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 12/14-12/20, 976T of grinding alfalfa, 100T of dairy alfalfa, and 342Tton 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.