Last week, there was not much change recorded. 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. According to the US Drought Monitor for the week of February 5th, conditions across the central and northern High Plains were mostly unchanged this week, as most of the region received little to no meaningful precipitation. Cold temperatures persisted, and where snow did fall, it remained largely frozen in place, limiting short-term benefits to soils or hydrologic conditions. Severe drought (D2) expanded from southeastern Wyoming into northeastern Colorado and a little into the Nebraska Panhandle. Abnormal dryness (D0) and moderate drought (D2) also expanded across portions of Kansas. In Kansas, the categorical percent area of abnormally dry conditions (D0) increased to 20%, Moderate drought (D1) increased to almost 5%, and there was no severe (D2), extreme (D3) or exceptional drought (D4) recorded, with 75% 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 2/1-2/7, 3,509T of grinding alfalfa, 782T of dairy alfalfa, and 299T of grass hay was reported bought or sold. The average paid by feedlots on January 1 for alfalfa ground and delivered was $148.24, down $3.34 from the previous month. Usage was 492 tons per day, down 3% from last month and total usage was 15,257T.

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. Horse hay, small square $13.50-$15.50/bale. Good quality, stock or dry cow, none reported. Fair/good, grinding alfalfa large round and 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 2/1-2/7, 6,859T of grinding alfalfa, 550T of dairy alfalfa, and 465T of grass hay was reported bought or sold. The average paid by feedlots on January 1 for alfalfa ground and delivered was $128.43, down $5.41 from the previous month. Usage was 176 tons per day, down 10% from last month and total usage was 5,443T.

Southeast Kansas – Demand light to moderate. Trade slow to moderate. Alfalfa, all steady. Prairie hay $5 lower, large square brome grass $5 higher. Alfalfa: Dairy, $0.90-$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 $85.00-$95.00, large square 3×4 $95.00-$105.00, small squares $160.00-$170.00. Brome, large square 3×4 $140.00-150.00, small square $190.00-$200.00. Wheat straw, large round $70.00. The week of 2/1-2/7, 1,195T of grass hay, 225T 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. Alfalfa, all steady. Large round prairie hay and brome, $5 lower. Alfalfa: Dairy $.90-$1.00/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 $210.00-$220.00. Alfalfa ground and delivered $135.00-$145.00. Grass Hay: Bluestem, large round $85.00-$95.00, small square $9.00/bale. Brome, large round and large square 3×4 $130.00-$150.00. Sorghum, large round $80.00, delivered. Wheat straw, large square $90.00. The week of 2/1-2/7, 1,070T of grinding alfalfa, 75T of dairy alfalfa, and 848T 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.