Demand remained strong this past week as new crop alfalfa harvest progresses and first cutting yields come in below expectations. Ongoing drought conditions across much of the state have increased buyer urgency, supporting higher prices. Despite the market strength, movement remained limited as many producers continue to hold inventory while evaluating yields and awaiting moisture. According to the US Drought Monitor for the week of May 14th, anomalous warmth dominated most of the High Plains this week, while precipitation was defined by a significant east-west gradient. Persistent dryness resulted in the expansion of exceptional (D4) drought in Nebraska, while moderate (D1) to extreme (D3) drought were expanded in northeastern Wyoming, South Dakota, Nebraska, and Kansas. Some above-normal precipitation resulted in the removal of exceptional (D4) and reduction of extreme (D3) drought in Wyoming, and improvements to severe (D2) to exceptional (D4) drought in Colorado and severe (D2) to extreme (D3) drought in western Kansas. In Kansas, the categorical percent area of abnormally dry conditions (D0) decreased to 8%, Moderate drought (D1) increased to 24%, severe drought (D2) decreased to 33%, extreme drought (D3) increased to 7%, 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 $115.00-$125.00. 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 5/10-5/16, 7,076T of grinding alfalfa, 750T 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. Grinding hay $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 $125.00-$135.00, 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 5/10-5/16, 8,227T of grinding alfalfa, 325T of dairy alfalfa, and 996T of grass hay was reported bought or sold.

Southeast Kansas – Demand moderate to good. Trade slow to moderate. Dairy alfalfa and prairie hay, all steady. Grinding alfalfa $5 higher, small square brome $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 $120.00–$130.00. 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 $200.00-$220.00. Wheat straw, round and square $80.00-$90.00. The week of 5/10-5/16, 1,814T of grass hay, 96T 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. New crop dairy alfalfa $0.10 higher. Alfalfa: Dairy $1.05-$1.15/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 5/10-5/16, 505T of grinding alfalfa, 346T of dairy alfalfa, and 621T 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.