Demand remained strong this past week as much of the state continues to experience drought conditions. Scattered storms brought limited relief to some areas; however, hay demand remains elevated. Tight inventories combined with strong demand have pushed prices substantially higher. According to the US Drought Monitor for the week of May 21st, in the High Plains Region, temperatures were above normal across much of the region this week, with average readings ranging from the low 40s along the Canadian border and in the mountains to the mid-70s across southern Kansas. Highly anomalous early-season warmth gripped the southern half of the region. The core of this heat anomaly was centered over Kansas and Colorado, where weekly temperatures soared 6°F to 12°F above historical averages, with localized spots in southern Kansas peaking more than 12°F above normal. Extreme (D3) drought expanded in southwestern Kansas and southern Colorado. In powerful contrast, intense convective activity generated a sharp corridor of heavy rainfall across eastern portions of Kansas and Nebraska. Totals in this localized zone rapidly climbed between 2.5 and 5.5 inches, with departures ranging between 1.5 to over 4.5 inches above normal, resulting in improvements to moderate (D1) to exceptional (D4) drought in Nebraska and moderate (D1) to extreme (D3) drought in Kansas. In Kansas, the categorical percent area of abnormally dry conditions (D0) increased to 13%, Moderate drought (D1) decreased to 19%, severe drought (D2) decreased to 24%, extreme drought (D3) increased to 13%, there was no exceptional drought (D4) recorded and 31% of the state has no drought. Prices below reflect the average price. There could be prices higher and lower prices than those published.

Southwest Kansas – Demand moderate to good. Trade moderate. Dairy alfalfa and grass hay, all steady. Grinding alfalfa and ground and delivered $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 $125.00-$135.00. Ground and delivered locally to feed lots and dairies $175.00-$185.00. 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 5/17-5/23, 9,221T of grinding alfalfa, 550T of dairy alfalfa, and 115T of grass hay was reported bought or sold.

South Central Kansas – Demand moderate to good. Trade moderate. Grass hay, all steady. Dairy hay $.05/point RFV higher, large square grinding hay $10 higher. Alfalfa: Dairy $1.00-$1.10/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 $115.00-$125.00. 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 5/17-5/23, 8,704T of grinding alfalfa, 475T of dairy alfalfa, and 996T of grass hay was reported bought or sold.

Southeast Kansas – Demand moderate to good. Trade slow to moderate. Grinding alfalfa and prairie hay, all steady. Dairy alfalfa $0.05/point rfv higher, small square brome $10 higher. Alfalfa: Dairy, $0.95-$1.05/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 $95.00-$105.00, large square 3×4 $100.00-$115.00, small squares $175.00-$185.00. Brome, large square 3×4 $140.00-$150.00, small square $230.00-$250.00. Wheat straw, round and square $80.00-$90.00. The week of 5/17-5/23, 1,735T of grass hay, 96T 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 moderate. Grass hay, all steady. New crop dairy alfalfa $0.05/point rfv higher, grinding alfalfa $10 higher. Alfalfa: Dairy $1.05-$1.20/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 $90.00-$105.00 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 5/17-5/23, 530T of grinding alfalfa, 396T 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.