Demand has picked up slightly as buyers remain concerned about drought conditions and limited rain in the forecast. Forage is available, though much of it is lower quality. Many producers are holding onto supplies to feed cattle through the summer. Alfalfa stands have experienced notable pest pressure, with numerous fields having undergone one or more insecticide applications targeting aphids and weevils. According to the US Drought Monitor for the week of March 26th, intense, unseasonable warmth gripped the High Plains, with temperatures soaring up to 25 degrees F above normal, peaking in parts of Wyoming and Colorado. Precipitation was nearly non-existent, particularly across the southern half of the region. This severe, persistent dryness, coupled with rapidly deteriorating drought indicators, forced widespread expansion and intensification of drought categories. Moderate drought (D1) and abnormal dryness (D0) also expanded broadly across Wyoming, Colorado, Nebraska, and Kansas. No drought improvements were made in the High Plains this week. In Kansas, the categorical percent area of abnormally dry conditions (D0) increased to 40%, Moderate drought (D1) increased to 28%, severe drought (D2) increased to 3.5%, and there was no extreme (D3) or exceptional drought (D4) recorded. 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 $130.00-$140.00. 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 3/22-3/28, 4,209T 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 $16.00-$18.00/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, small square $17.00-$18.00/bale. Brome, large round $70.00-$80.00. Wheat straw, large square $75.00-$85.00. The week of 3/22-3/28, 7,172T of grinding alfalfa, 400T of dairy alfalfa, and 391T of grass hay was reported bought or sold.

Southeast Kansas – Demand light to moderate. Trade slow to moderate. Alfalfa and grass hay, all steady. 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 and large square 3×4 $95.00-$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 3/22-3/28, 1,463T of grass hay, 96T of grinding alfalfa, and 75T of dairy alfalfa was reported bought or sold.

Northwest Kansas – Demand light. Trade activity slow. Dairy alfalfa $1.00-$1.05/point RFV. Horse hay, medium square 3×3 $175.00-$185.00, small square $195.00-$205.00. Fair/good grinding alfalfa, large round and large square 3×4 $100.00-$115.00 delivered.

North Central-Northeast Kansas – Demand light to moderate. Trade activity slow to moderate. Alfalfa steady. Prairie hay $5 higher. Alfalfa: Dairy $0.95-$1.05/point RFV; 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 $90.00-$100.00, small square $9.00/bale. Brome, small square, $145.00-$155.00. Wheat straw, large round and large square $95.00-$115.00. The week of 3/22-3/28, 302T of grinding alfalfa, 400T of dairy alfalfa, and 782T 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.