Demand remained strong this past week as old crop inventories continued to tighten. Prices trended higher amid expectations of a lighter first cutting of alfalfa and ongoing drought conditions across the western two thirds of the state. With warmer temperatures settling in, alfalfa harvest activity has begun to increase across many areas. According to the US Drought Monitor for the week of May 7th, light to moderate precipitation overspread much of the High Plains, with the heaviest accumulations (0.5 – 1.5 inch) falling across central Colorado, including late season snow across the higher elevations. Across the rest of the Plains, however, the moisture was not sufficient to engender substantive improvements. Despite cooler temperatures lowering evapotranspiration rates, some degradation occurred across Kansas and Nebraska, and far western North Dakota. In Kansas, the categorical percent area of abnormally dry conditions (D0) decreased to 12%, Moderate drought (D1) stayed at 19%, severe drought (D2) stayed at 34%, extreme drought (D3) increased to 6%, 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. Dairy alfalfa and grass hay, all steady. Grinding alfalfa $10 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 $110.00-$120.00. Ground and delivered locally to feed lots and dairies $165.00-$175.00. 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 5/3-5/9, 7,091T of grinding alfalfa, 750T of dairy alfalfa, and 115T of grass hay was reported bought or sold. The average paid by feedlots on April 1 for alfalfa ground and delivered was $153.78, down $3.60 from the previous month. Usage was 485 tons per day, down 6.25% from last month and total usage was 14,537T.

South Central Kansas – Demand moderate to good. Trade slow to moderate. Dairy alfalfa, grinding alfalfa and grass hay, all steady. Ground and delivered $5 higher. Alfalfa: Dairy $0.95-$1.05/point RFV. Horse hay, small square $17.00-$19.00/bale. Good quality, stock or dry cow $155.00-$165.00. Fair/good, grinding alfalfa large round $120.00-$130.00, large square 3×4 $105.00-$115.00. Alfalfa ground and delivered $140.00-$150.00. Alfalfa pellets: Sun cured 15 pct protein $220.00, 17% dehydrated $330. Grass Hay: Bluestem, large round $60.00-$70.00, small square $17.50-$18.50/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 5/3-5/9, 8,687T of grinding alfalfa, 325T of dairy alfalfa, and 552T of grass hay was reported bought or sold. The average paid by feedlots on April 1 for alfalfa ground and delivered was $146.98, down $1.40 from the previous month. Usage was 65 tons per day, down 0.6% from last month and total usage was 1,941T.

Southeast Kansas – Demand moderate to good. Trade slow to moderate. Dairy alfalfa and grass hay, all steady. Grinding alfalfa $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 $115.00–$125.00. 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 $140.00-$150.00, small square $190.00-$200.00. Wheat straw, large round $70.00. The week of 5/3-5/9, 1,605T of grass hay, 206T of grinding alfalfa, and 50T 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, $9.00/bale. Wheat straw, large round and large square $70.00-$80.00. The week of 5/3-5/9, 480T of grinding alfalfa, 346T of dairy alfalfa, and 713T 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.