Hay movement during the past week remained slow but steady, with minimal change observed in overall market conditions. Producers across much of the state received some moisture during the reporting period, occurring as rain, snow, or a combination of both. Market participants continue to balance the decision between holding hay in storage in anticipation of improved prices and moving existing supplies to make room for the upcoming new crop. According to the US Drought Monitor for the week of January 15th, in the High Plains Region, Above-normal precipitation occurred across eastern Colorado, Kansas, and southeast Nebraska, falling primarily as rain and infiltrating soils due to warm temperatures. Abnormally dry and moderate drought conditions improved in southeast Nebraska, eastern Kansas, and parts of south-central Colorado. In Kansas, the categorical percent area of abnormally dry conditions (D0) decreased to 11%, Moderate drought (D1) decreased to 4%, and there was no severe (D2), extreme (D3) or exceptional drought (D4) recorded, with almost 85% 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. Alfalfa and grass hay, all steady. Alfalfa: Dairy, $0.90-$0.95/point RFV. Horse hay, small square $10.00/bale. Good quality, stock or dry cow $120.00-$130.00 delivered. Fair/good, grinding alfalfa, large round $120.00-$130.00, large square 3×4 $115.00-$125.00. Ground and delivered locally to feed lots and dairies $145.00-$155.00. Alfalfa pellets: Sun cured 15 and 17 pct protein $230.00. Grass Hay: Bluestem, large square 3×4 $90.00 delivered. Brome, large square 3×4 $160.00 delivered. Teff, large round $135.00 delivered. The week of 1/11-1/17, 4,581T of grinding alfalfa, 828T of dairy alfalfa, and 207T of grass hay was reported bought or sold.

South Central Kansas – Demand light to moderate. Trade slow to moderate. Alfalfa and grass hay, all steady. Alfalfa: Dairy $0.95-$1.00/point RFV. Good quality, stock or dry cow $125.00-$135.00. Fair/good, grinding alfalfa large round $115.00-$125.00, large square 3×4 $105.00-$115.00. Alfalfa ground and delivered $140.00-$150.00. Alfalfa pellets: Sun cured 15 pct protein $210.00–$215.00, 17% dehydrated $335. Grass Hay: Bluestem, large round $100.00 delivered. Brome, large round $100.00-$120.00, large square 3×4 $120.00-$130.00 delivered, small square $9.00/bale. Wheat, large round and large square 3×4 $75.00-$85.00. The week of 1/11-1/17, 9,963T of grinding alfalfa, 500T of dairy alfalfa, and 161T of grass hay was reported bought or sold.

Southeast Kansas – Demand light to moderate. Trade slow to moderate. Dairy alfalfa, stock cow, and grass hay, all steady. Grinding alfalfa $10 lower. Dairy, $0.95-$1.00/point RFV. Good, stock or dry cow, $150.00-$160.00. Fair/good grinding alfalfa, large square 3x4s $105.00–$115.00. Grass Hay: Bluestem, large round $95.00-$105.00, large square 3×4 $100.00-$110.00, small squares $160.00-$170.00. Brome, large square 3×4 $125.00-135.00, small square $190.00-$200.00. The week of 1/11-1/17, 1,595T of grass hay, 100T of grinding alfalfa, and 125T of dairy alfalfa was reported bought or sold.

Northwest Kansas – Demand light. Trade activity slow. Dairy alfalfa $1.00-$1.05/point RFV. Good, stock or dry cow, $100.00. Fair/good grinding alfalfa, large round and large square 3x4s $100.00-$110.00 delivered.

North Central-Northeast Kansas – Demand light to moderate. Trade activity slow to moderate. Alfalfa and grass hay, all steady. Alfalfa: Dairy $.90-$1.00/point RFV; Good, stock or dry 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. Grass Hay: Bluestem, large round $85.00-$100.00, small square $9.00/bale. Brome, large round $150.00. Sorghum, large round $80.00, delivered. Wheat, large square $90.00. The week of 1/11-1/17, 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.