This past week, demand has stayed strong, largely attributed to expanding drought conditions across portions of the state. Areas that have received adequate moisture report strong crop development, with alfalfa and wheat conditions rated as good to excellent. Conversely, other regions continue to experience severe moisture deficits, accompanied by heightened insect pressure impacting crop performance. In these drought-affected areas, alfalfa growth has been limited and stands are showing signs of stress and drying out. According to the US Drought Monitor for the week of April 2nd, On this week’s map, widespread changes were made across the region in response to below-normal precipitation (time scales from 1 to 6 months), declining soil moisture, scattered low streamflow’s, elevated evapotranspiration rates, and associated anomalously warm temperatures—not only in recent weeks, but moving through the entire cool season. For the week, the region was very dry with warmer-than-normal temperatures (3 to 15+ °F above normal) observed across much of the region, with the greatest anomalies observed in Nebraska and Kansas. In Kansas, the categorical percent area of abnormally dry conditions (D0) decreased to 36%, Moderate drought (D1) increased to 37%, severe drought (D2) increased to 7.5%, and a small pocket of extreme drought (D3) showed up in the northwest corner of the state, there was no 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. Alfalfa and grass hay, all steady. Alfalfa: Dairy, $0.90-$1.00/point RFV. Good quality, stock or dry cow $130.00-$140.00. Fair/good, grinding alfalfa, large round and large square 3×4 $105.00-$115.00. 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 3/29-4/4, 4,659T 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 steady, large round prairie hay $10 lower. 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 $60.00-$80.00, 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 3/29-4/4, 7,679T of grinding alfalfa, 325T of dairy alfalfa, and 552T of grass hay was reported bought or sold.

Southeast Kansas – Demand light to moderate. Trade slow to moderate. Dairy alfalfa and grass hay, all steady. Grinding alfalfa $10 higher. Alfalfa: Dairy, $0.90-$1.00/point RFV. Good, stock or dry cow, $150.00-$160.00. Fair/good grinding alfalfa, large square 3×4 $100.00–$115.00. 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 3/29-4/4, 1,191T of grass hay, 146T of grinding alfalfa, and 75T of dairy alfalfa was reported bought or sold.

Northwest Kansas – Demand light to moderate. Trade activity slow to moderate. 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. Dairy alfalfa steady. Grinding alfalfa and prairie hay $5 lower. 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 $85.00-$95.00 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 $90.00-$110.00. The week of 3/29-4/4, 700T of grinding alfalfa, 400T of dairy alfalfa, and 736T 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.