Compared to the previous report, hay movement was slow to moderate with a steady undertone and a slightly softer market. Portions of the state received moisture; however, drying conditions quickly returned with wind and sunshine. Wildfires in southwest Kansas last week resulted in significant losses of cattle, forage, and grazing acreage. Adequate grass hay supplies are available statewide, with inventory positioned to assist producers in affected areas as recovery efforts continue. According to the US Drought Monitor for the week of February 19th, in the High Plains region, moderate to locally heavy precipitation fell on part of eastern Kansas, and scattered light to moderate amounts fell on the rest of the southern tier of the Region. Farther north, however, scant precipitation led to large areas of degradation across a large proportion of Wyoming and central through eastern Montana, with more limited deterioration introduced across parts of Nebraska and South Dakota. This resulted in moderate drought or worse covering a swath across most of Nebraska and adjacent areas westward through most of Wyoming and the northern, central, and western sections of Colorado. In Kansas, the categorical percent area of abnormally dry conditions (D0) stayed at 28%, Moderate drought (D1) decreased to 4%, and there was no severe (D2), extreme (D3) or exceptional drought (D4) recorded, with 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. 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 2/15-2/21, 9,030T of grinding alfalfa, 525T 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 $75.00-$85.00. The week of 2/15-2/21, 7,108T of grinding alfalfa, 225T of dairy alfalfa, and 315T of grass hay was reported bought or sold.

Southeast Kansas – Demand light to moderate. Trade slow to moderate. All alfalfa, steady. Large round prairie hay $5 lower. Alfalfa: Dairy, $0.90-$1.00/point RFV. Horse hay, small square $10/bale. 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 $75.00-$85.00, large square 3×4 $95.00-$105.00, small squares $160.00-$170.00. Brome, small square $190.00-$200.00, large square 3×4 $140.00-150.00. Wheat straw, round $70.00. The week of 2/15-2/21, 1,476T of grass hay, 200T 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, $130.00-$140.00. Fair/good grinding alfalfa, large round and large square 3×4 $110.00-$120.00 delivered. Premium alfalfa, small square $295.00-$305.00, large square 3×4 $180.00-$190.00.

North Central-Northeast Kansas – Demand light to moderate. Trade activity slow to moderate. Alfalfa, all steady. Large round brome grass $10 lower. Alfalfa: Dairy $.90-$1.00/point RFV; Good, stock or dry cow, none reported. Horse hay, small square $13.00/bale medium square 3×3 $220.00. Fair/good, grinding alfalfa, large round and large square 3×4 $90.00-$100.00 delivered. Alfalfa ground and delivered $130.00-$140.00. Grass Hay: Bluestem, large round and large square 3×4 $85.00-$95.00, small square $9.00/bale. Brome, large round $120.00-$130.00. Sorghum, large round $80.00, delivered. Wheat straw, large square $95.00-$105.00. The week of 2/15-2/21, 545T of grinding alfalfa, 125T of dairy alfalfa, and 575T 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.