During the past week, demand and movement ranged from slow to steady. While some areas of the state received precipitation and report favorable crop conditions, many regions continue to experience severe drought conditions. According to the US Drought Monitor for the week of April 16th, in the High Plains Region, temperatures were mostly above normal, with only eastern North Dakota and northeast South Dakota near or below normal. The greatest departures occurred in central Kansas, where temperatures were 12–15 degrees above normal. Kansas experienced the most active weather, with southwest and eastern areas of the state and southeast Nebraska recording above-normal precipitation. Some areas of northeast Kansas received more than 400% of normal precipitation. These rains led to improvements in abnormally dry and moderate drought conditions across southeast Nebraska and northeast Kansas. Some areas of eastern Nebraska and south-central Kansas also saw improvements. Extreme drought expanded across southwest Nebraska and northwest Kansas, while severe drought expanded across southwest Kansas. In Kansas, the categorical percent area of abnormally dry conditions (D0) decreased to 22%, Moderate drought (D1) decreased to near 42%, severe drought (D2) increased to 10%, extreme drought (D3) was at almost 1%, and 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 round and large square 3×4 $70.00-$80.00, small square $10.00/bale delivered. Brome, large square 3×4 $160.00 delivered. The week of 4/12-4/19, 5,670T of grinding alfalfa, 550T of dairy alfalfa, and 115T 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 $115.00-$125.00, large square 3×4 $105.00-$115.00. Alfalfa ground and delivered $135.00-$145.00. Alfalfa pellets: Sun cured 15 pct protein $215.00–$220.00, 17% dehydrated $330. 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 4/12-4/19, 7,712T 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. 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 square 3×4 $100.00–$115.00. Grass Hay: Bluestem, large round and large square 3×4 $95.00-$105.00, small squares $165.00-$175.00. Brome, large square 3×4 $135.00-$145.00, small square $190.00-$200.00. Wheat straw, large round $70.00. The week of 4/12-4/19, 1,262T 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. Alfalfa and grass hay, all steady. 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 and large square 3×4 $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 $65.00-$75.00. The week of 4/12-4/19, 480T of grinding alfalfa, 346T 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.