Hay movement during the Christmas week was slow but steady, with minimal new sales reported. Unseasonably warm weather conditions allowed many cattle to remain on grass and wheat pasture, which reduced overall hay demand and usage during the period. According to the US Drought Monitor for the week of December 24th, a lack of snow cover, much above-normal temperatures, and periods of strong winds led to an unusual amount of winter degradation across the High Plains region. D2 expanded across western Nebraska, with expansions of both D1 and D0 occurring across central and eastern parts of the state, where precipitation was generally less than 0.2 inch equivalent, and high temperatures soared as high as the 70’s. A small area of D1 expanded across southeastern Kansas, and across Colorado, D4 was introduced to Eagle and Pitkin Counties. In Kansas, the categorical percent area of abnormally dry conditions (D0) decreased to 18%, Moderate drought (D1) increased to above 8%, 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 round and large square 3×4 $100.00-$115.00. 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 3×4 $90.00 delivered. Brome, large square 3×4 $160.00 delivered. The week of 12/21-12/27, 5,979T of grinding alfalfa, 525T of dairy alfalfa, and 184T of grass hay was reported bought or sold.

South Central Kansas – Demand light to moderate. Trade slow to moderate. Dairy alfalfa $0.05 lower, grinding hay, ground and delivered, and grass hay all steady. Alfalfa: Dairy $0.95-$1.00/point RFV. Good quality, stock or dry cow $130.00-$140.00. Fair/good grinding alfalfa, large rounds and large square 3×4 $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 3×4 $100.00–$120.00, small square $9.00/bale. Teff, large square 3×4 $140.00. Wheat, large round and large square 3×4 $75.00-$85.00. The week of 12/21-12/27, 9,541T 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 and stock cow steady, grinding alfalfa $10 higher, brome hay $5 higher. Dairy, $1.00-$1.05/point RFV. Good, stock cow, $145.00-$155.00. Fair/good grinding alfalfa, large square 3x4s $125.00–$145.00 delivered. Bluestem, large round $70.00-$80.00, large square 3x4s $110.00-$120.00, medium square 3×3 $100.00-$105.00, small squares $10.00/bale. Brome, large square 3×4 $130.00-140.00, small square $200.00. Wheat, large round $100.00, delivered. The week of 12/21-12/27, 1,409T 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 square 3x4s $130.00-$140.00 delivered. Oat hay, large square 3×4 $95.00-$105.00.

North Central-Northeast Kansas – Demand light to moderate. Trade activity slow to moderate. Dairy alfalfa, stock cow, grinding alfalfa, and alfalfa ground and delivered, all steady. Alfalfa: Dairy $.90-$1.00/point RFV; Good stock cow, $160.00-$170.00, delivered. Fair/good, grinding alfalfa, large rounds and large square 3×4 $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 12/21-12/27, 985T of grinding alfalfa, 125T of dairy alfalfa, and 365Tton 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.