Compared to the previous report, hay movement remained slow and steady. Much of the state experienced overcast and foggy conditions last week. Producers were occupied with field activities, including preparations for the upcoming planting season and fertilizer applications. According to the US Drought Monitor for the week of March 5th, although late winter is a relatively dry time of year across the Central Great Plains, periods of unseasonably warm temperatures and enhanced winds this past month led to intensifying drought across northeastern Colorado and Nebraska. 30-day temperatures averaged 6 to 10 degrees F above normal throughout the Great Plains. A 1-category degradation was made this past week to parts of Kansas and South Dakota. In Kansas, the categorical percent area of abnormally dry conditions (D0) increased to 32%, Moderate drought (D1) increased to 13%, severe drought increased to 2.5% (D2), and there was no extreme (D3) or exceptional drought (D4) recorded, with over 52% 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, $0.95-$1.00/point RFV. Good quality, stock or dry cow $150.00-$160.00. Fair/good, grinding alfalfa, large round $105.00-$115.00, large square 3×4 $95.00-$105.00. 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, small square $10.00/bale delivered. Brome, large square 3×4 $160.00 delivered. Teff, large round $135.00 delivered. The week of 3/1-3/7, 2,626T of grinding alfalfa, 525T of dairy alfalfa, and 299T of grass hay was reported bought or sold. The average paid by feedlots on February 1 for alfalfa ground and delivered was $152.26, down $0.45 from the previous month. Usage was 508 tons per day, up 3% from last month and total usage was 14,218T.

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 $15.50-$17.50/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 square 3×4 $65.00-$75.00, large round $95.00 delivered. Brome, none reported. Wheat straw, large square $75.00-$85.00. The week of 3/1-3/7, 8,357T of grinding alfalfa, 400T of dairy alfalfa, and 315T of grass hay was reported bought or sold. The average paid by feedlots on February 1 for alfalfa ground and delivered was $127.31, down $1.12 from the previous month. Usage was 123 tons per day, down 30% from last month and total usage was 3,567T.

Southeast Kansas – Demand light to moderate. Trade slow to moderate. Dairy, grinding alfalfa, and grass hay, all steady, stock cow $10 lower. Alfalfa: Dairy, $0.90-$1.00/point RFV. Horse hay, small square $10/bale. Good, stock or dry cow, $145.00-$155.00. Fair/good grinding alfalfa, large round and large square 3×4 $105.00–$115.00. 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, large round $70.00. The week of 3/1-3/7, 1,292T of grass hay, 150T 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. Fair/good grinding alfalfa, large round and large square 3×4 $100.00-$115.00 delivered. Alfalfa/Orchard mix, medium square 3×3, $350.00.

North Central-Northeast Kansas – Demand light to moderate. Trade activity slow to moderate. Grinding alfalfa $5 lower. All grass hay steady. Alfalfa: Dairy $0.95-$1.00/point RFV; Good, stock or dry cow, none reported. Horse hay, small square $13.00/bale, medium square 3×3 $220.00-$230.00. Fair/good, grinding alfalfa, large round and large square 3×4 $95.00-$105.00 delivered. Alfalfa ground and delivered $130.00-$140.00. Grass Hay: Bluestem, large round and large square 3×4 $95.00-$105.00, small square $9.00/bale. Brome, large round $120.00-$130.00. The week of 3/1-3/7, 552T of grinding alfalfa, 400T of dairy alfalfa, and 598T 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.