Compared to the last report, market conditions were largely steady with limited overall change observed. The market tone was slightly softer. Movement of hay was light to moderate, with fewer transactions reported compared to last week. Demand for hay remains present, however, current price levels are limiting trading activity and constraining movement. According to the US Drought Monitor for the week of February 12th, the High Plains saw little to no meaningful precipitation this week, with most of the region receiving less than 25 percent of normal and many locations at or below 5 percent of normal precipitation. Any snowfall was light and offered minimal liquid-equivalent benefit. Across Kansas, degradations occurred primarily in the northwest, south and along the Missouri border in eastern Kansas following another dry week which, like the rest of the region, added to the growing precipitation deficits and drying soil moisture. In Kansas, the categorical percent area of abnormally dry conditions (D0) increased to almost 27%, Moderate drought (D1) increased to almost 7%, and there was no severe (D2), extreme (D3) or exceptional drought (D4) recorded, with 66% 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. Fair/good, grinding alfalfa, large round and 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 2/8-2/14, 3,328T of grinding alfalfa, 530T of dairy alfalfa, and 299T 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. Horse hay, small square $14.50-$16.50/bale. Good quality, stock or dry cow, $130.00-$140.00, delivered. 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 square 3×4 $65.00-$75.00, large round $95.00 delivered. Brome, none reported. Wheat straw, large round and large square 3×4 $75.00-$85.00. The week of 2/8-2/14, 7,351T of grinding alfalfa, 425T of dairy alfalfa, and 315T 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 and large round prairie hay $5 lower. 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 $100.00–$110.00. Grass Hay: Bluestem, large round $80.00-$90.00, 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, round $70.00. The week of 2/8-2/14, 1,610T 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-$125.00. Fair/good grinding alfalfa, large round and large square 3×4 $100.00-$110.00 delivered. Premium alfalfa, medium square 3×3 $250.00-$275.00, small square $295.00-$305.00.

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, none reported. 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 $130.00-$150.00. Sorghum, large round $80.00, delivered. Wheat straw, large square $95.00-$105.00. The week of 2/8-2/14, 570T of grinding alfalfa, 125T of dairy alfalfa, and 552T 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.