Compared to the previous reporting period, prices remained steady. Producers across the state continue to report a need for additional rainfall to support crop conditions. Some producers are already preparing for a second insecticide application to control bugs and weevils. According to the US Drought Monitor for the week of March 19th, in the southern half of the High Plains region, warmer-than-normal weather continued this week amid mainly dry and frequently windy conditions. Degradation in drought conditions was widespread across Nebraska and southern parts of South Dakota. A deadly wildfire in western Nebraska, the Morrill Fire, has burned a record amount of land for Nebraska wildfires. The Great Plains of southwest Kansas and southeast Colorado also saw worsening drought and abnormal dryness this week, as precipitation deficits continued to mount along with warmer-than-normal temperatures this winter and early spring. In Kansas, the categorical percent area of abnormally dry conditions (D0) increased to almost 33%, Moderate drought (D1) increased to over 20%, severe drought (D2) stayed at 2.5%, and there was no extreme (D3) or exceptional drought (D4) recorded, with only 44% 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. Dairy alfalfa, grinding alfalfa, and grass hay, all steady. Stock cow $10 lower. Alfalfa: Dairy, $0.95-$1.00/point RFV. Good quality, stock or dry cow $140.00-$150.00. 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. The week of 3/15-3/21, 4,091T of grinding alfalfa, 600T of dairy alfalfa, and 207T 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-$1.05/point RFV. Horse hay, small square $15.50-$17.50/bale. 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, large round $90.00-$100.00 delivered. Brome, none reported. Wheat straw, large square $75.00-$85.00. The week of 3/15-3/21, 7,716T of grinding alfalfa, 425T of dairy alfalfa, and 391T of grass hay was reported bought or sold.

Southeast Kansas – Demand light to moderate. Trade slow to moderate. Dairy alfalfa, steady. Small square prairie hay $5 higher. Alfalfa: Dairy, $0.90-$1.00/point RFV. Good, stock or dry cow, $150.00-$160.00. Fair/good grinding alfalfa, large round and large square 3×4 $95.00–$105.00. Grass Hay: Bluestem, large round $75.00-$85.00, large square 3×4 $85.00-$105.00, medium square 3×3 $105.00-$115.00, small squares $165.00-$175.00. Brome, large square 3×4 $135.00-$145.00, medium square 3×3 $175.00-$185.00, small square $190.00-$200.00. Wheat straw, large round $70.00. The week of 3/15-3/21, 1,465T of grass hay, 100T of grinding alfalfa, and 121T 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. Dairy alfalfa 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 $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, small square, $145.00-$155.00. Wheat straw, large round and large square $105.00-$125.00. The week of 3/15-3/21, 425T of grinding alfalfa, 400T of dairy alfalfa, and 644T 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.