Demand during the first week of the year remained steady. Product movement increased slightly in select regions due to colder temperatures and forecasted snowfall. However, pricing levels showed minimal change. According to the US Drought Monitor for the week of January 8th, in the High Plains Region, warmer-than-normal temperatures dominated the region, with departures exceeding 15°F above normal across parts of western Nebraska, western Kansas, northeast Colorado, Wyoming, and southeast Montana. Precipitation was minimal, with the greatest totals confined to northeastern North Dakota. The continued warm and dry winter has resulted in some areas experiencing their driest start to winter on record. Abnormally dry conditions expanded across southern Nebraska and northeast Kansas, as well as southeast Kansas, where moderate drought also increased. Moderate and severe drought expanded across southeast Wyoming, western Nebraska, northeast Colorado, and southeast Colorado. In Kansas, the categorical percent area of abnormally dry conditions (D0) stayed at almost 18%, Moderate drought (D1) increased to almost 14%, and there was no severe (D2), extreme (D3) or exceptional drought (D4) recorded, with more than 68% 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. Stock cow $10 lower. Alfalfa: Dairy, $0.90-$0.95/point RFV. Good quality, stock or dry cow $120.00-$130.00 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. Corn stalks, large round $80.00 delivered. Teff, large round $135.00 delivered. The week of 1/4-1/10, 4,849T of grinding alfalfa, 903T of dairy alfalfa, and 207T of grass hay was reported bought or sold. The average paid by feedlots on December 1 for alfalfa ground and delivered was $151.58, down $2.28 from the previous month. Usage was 506 tons per day, down 10% from last month and total usage was 15,681T.

South Central Kansas – Demand light to moderate. Trade slow to moderate. Dairy alfalfa, grinding alfalfa, ground and delivered, and grass hay all steady. Stock cow $5 lower. Alfalfa: Dairy $0.95-$1.00/point RFV. Good quality, stock or dry cow $125.00-$135.00. 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 1/4-1/10, 10,039T of grinding alfalfa, 500T of dairy alfalfa, and 186 ton of grass hay was reported bought or sold. The average paid by feedlots on December 1 for alfalfa ground and delivered was $133.84, down $8.69 from the previous month. Usage was 196 tons per day.

Southeast Kansas – Demand light to moderate. Trade slow to moderate. Dairy alfalfa, stock cow, grinding alfalfa, all steady. Bluestem $5 lower. Dairy, $0.95-$1.00/point RFV. Good, stock cow, $150.00-$160.00. Fair/good grinding alfalfa, large square 3x4s $115.00–$125.00 delivered. Bluestem, large round and large square 3x4s $90.00-$100.00, medium square 3×3 $100.00-$105.00, small squares $10.00/bale. Brome, large square 3×4 $125.00-135.00, small square $200.00. Wheat, large round $70.00. The week of 1/4-1/10, 1,426T of grass hay, 175T of grinding alfalfa, and 50T of dairy alfalfa was reported bought or sold.

Northwest Kansas – Demand light. Trade activity slow. Dairy alfalfa $1.00-$1.05/point RFV. Alfalfa, small square $300.00. Fair/good grinding alfalfa, large square 3x4s $110.00-$120.00 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. Bluestem $10 lower. 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 $85.00-$100.00, small square $9.00/bale. Brome, large round $150.00. Sorghum, large round $80.00. Wheat, large square $90.00. The week of 1/4-1/10, 820T of grinding alfalfa, 20T of dairy alfalfa, and 359T 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.