Demand increased substantially this past week as drought conditions persist across many areas of the state. However, producers remain hesitant to market inventory due to uncertainty about future forage needs. Statewide, alfalfa conditions have declined, as ongoing dryness and insect pressure have negatively impacted new crop development. According to the US Drought Monitor for the week of April 23rd, in the High Plains Region, the region was mostly dry, with isolated rainfall in far southeast Nebraska, northern and southeast Kansas, and small areas of Colorado and North Dakota. Temperatures were generally above normal, with the warmest departures in southeast Nebraska and eastern Kansas. Dryness and a warm spring led to widespread degradation. Extreme drought expanded across central and western Nebraska and into northwest Kansas. Severe drought expanded in central and southwest Kansas, with new extreme drought in far southwest Kansas. In Kansas, the categorical percent area of abnormally dry conditions (D0) decreased to 13%, Moderate drought (D1) decreased to 27%, severe drought (D2) increased to 31%, extreme drought (D3) stayed at 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 moderate to good. Trade slow to moderate. All alfalfa steady, large square prairie hay $5 higher. Alfalfa: Dairy, $0.90-$1.00/point RFV. Good quality, stock or dry cow $130.00-$140.00. Fair/good, grinding alfalfa, large round $105.00-$115.00 and 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 round and large square 3×4 $75.00-$85.00, small square $10.00/bale delivered. Brome, large square 3×4 $160.00 delivered. The week of 4/19-4/25, 6,085T of grinding alfalfa, 1,100T of dairy alfalfa, and 115T of grass hay was reported bought or sold.

South Central Kansas – Demand moderate to good. Trade slow to moderate. Dairy alfalfa, grinding alfalfa and grass hay, all steady. Alfalfa: Dairy $0.95-$1.05/point RFV. Horse hay, small square $17.00-$19.00/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, medium square 3×3 $120.00-$130.00. Wheat straw, large square $75.00-$85.00. The week of 4/19-4/25, 7,781T of grinding alfalfa, 325T of dairy alfalfa, and 552T of grass hay was reported bought or sold.

Southeast Kansas – Demand moderate to good. Trade slow to moderate. Alfalfa, all 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 square 3×4 $105.00–$115.00. Grass Hay: Bluestem, large round and large square 3×4 $95.00-$105.00, small squares $175.00-$185.00. Brome, large square 3×4 $135.00-$145.00, small square $190.00-$200.00. Wheat straw, large round $70.00. The week of 4/19-4/25, 1,752T of grass hay, 121T of grinding alfalfa, and 75T of dairy alfalfa was reported bought or sold.

Northwest Kansas – Demand moderate to good. 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 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 $70.00-$80.00. The week of 4/19-4/25, 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.