Much of the state experienced warmer temperatures and increased sunshine last week, providing a welcome improvement in conditions. Interest in hay varied across regions, with some areas reporting increased inquiries, though no notable changes in pricing or movement were observed. However, some parts of the state have seen an increase in grass hay movement, as many producers burned through supplies during the recent cold snap. According to the US Drought Monitor for the week of January 29th, most of the High Plains Region was dry last week, with a amounts of a few tenths to approaching one inch fell on much of central and eastern Kansas and on scattered higher elevations in Colorado and Wyoming. Otherwise, little or nothing fell. The Region – outside the higher elevations – is climatologically cold and dry, so precipitation deficits increase very slowly, and demand is lower this time of year. In Kansas, the categorical percent area of abnormally dry conditions (D0) increased to almost 13%, Moderate drought (D1) stayed at 4%, and there was no severe (D2), extreme (D3) or exceptional drought (D4) recorded, with 83% 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. 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 1/25-1/31, 3,704T of grinding alfalfa, 832T of dairy alfalfa, and 276T 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. 15% alfalfa pellets, $5.00 higher. Alfalfa: Dairy $0.95-$1.00/point RFV. Horse hay, small square $13.50-$15.50/bale. Good quality, stock or dry cow, none reported. 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 $215.00–$220.00, 17% dehydrated $335. Grass Hay: Bluestem, small square $8.00-$10.00/bale, medium square 3×3 $120.00, large round $95.00 delivered. Brome, none reported. Sorghum, large round $70.00. Wheat straw, large round and large square 3×4 $75.00-$85.00. The week of 1/25-1/31, 7,813T of grinding alfalfa, 550T of dairy alfalfa, and 465T of grass hay was reported bought or sold.

Southeast Kansas – Demand light to moderate. Trade slow to moderate. Dairy alfalfa, grinding alfalfa, and prairie hay, all steady. Stock cow and large square brome $5 higher. Alfalfa: Dairy, $0.95-$1.00/point RFV. Good, stock or dry cow, $155.00-$165.00. Fair/good grinding alfalfa, large square 3×4 $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 $135.00-145.00, small square $190.00-$200.00. Wheat straw, large round $70.00. The week of 1/25-1/31, 1,266T of grass hay, 275T 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. Good, stock or dry cow, $100.00. Fair/good grinding alfalfa, large round and large square 3×4 $100.00-$110.00 delivered. Premium alfalfa, medium square 3×3 $250.00, small square $305.00-$315.00.

North Central-Northeast Kansas – Demand light to moderate. Trade activity slow to moderate. Dairy alfalfa, stock cow, and grass hay, all steady. Grinding alfalfa $5 lower. Alfalfa: Dairy $.90-$0.95/point RFV; Good, stock or dry cow, $160.00-$170.00, delivered. Fair/good, grinding alfalfa, large round and large square 3×4 $90.00-$100.00 delivered. Premium alfalfa, medium square 3×3 $205.00-$215.00. Alfalfa ground and delivered $135.00-$145.00. Grass Hay: Bluestem, large round $85.00-$100.00, small square $9.00/bale. Brome, large round $150.00, large square 3×4 $190.00. Sorghum, large round $80.00, delivered. Wheat straw, large square $90.00. The week of 1/25-1/31, 820T of grinding alfalfa, 20T of dairy alfalfa, and 382T 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.