This past week, much of the state received beneficial moisture, providing needed relief to hay fields and row crops. The improved moisture conditions contributed to a slight decline in hay demand and movement as immediate forage concerns eased in some areas. According to the US Drought Monitor for the week of June 4th, stormy weather brought soaking rains across much of the High Plains, with the highest coverage and accumulations over Kansas and Nebraska. While beneficial, this precipitation competed during the week with much above-normal temperatures, which maintained high evapotranspirative demands. In Kansas, the categorical percent area of abnormally dry conditions (D0) increased to 13%, Moderate drought (D1) increased to 27.5%, severe drought (D2) decreased to 21%, extreme drought (D3) decreased to 4%, there was no exceptional drought (D4) recorded and 34% 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. Alfalfa and brome hay, all steady. Prairie hay $10 higher. Alfalfa: Dairy, $0.90-$1.00/point RFV. Premium/Supreme $195.00-$205.00. Fair/good, grinding alfalfa, large round $105.00-$115.00 and large square 3×4 $135.00-$145.00. Ground and delivered locally to feed lots and dairies $180.00-$190.00. Alfalfa pellets: Sun cured 15 and 17 pct protein $230.00. Grass Hay: Bluestem, large square 3×4 $85.00-$95.00. Brome, large square 3×4 $160.00 delivered. The week of 5/31-6/6, 8,146T of grinding alfalfa, 250T of dairy alfalfa, and 115T of grass hay was reported bought or sold. The average paid by feedlots on May 1 for alfalfa ground and delivered was $165.17, up $11.39 from the previous month. Usage was 521 tons per day, up 7.50% from last month and total usage was 16,149T.

South Central Kansas – Demand moderate to good. Trade slow to moderate. Dairy alfalfa and grass hay, all steady. Large square grinding hay $10 higher, ground and delivered $5 higher, 15% pellets $10 higher. Alfalfa: Dairy $1.00-$1.10/point RFV. Premium/Supreme, large square 3×4 $230.00-$240.00. Fair/good, grinding alfalfa large round $135.00-$145.00, large square 3×4 $130.00-$140.00. Alfalfa ground and delivered $145.00-$155.00. Alfalfa pellets: Sun cured 15 pct protein $225.00-$235.00, 17% dehydrated $330. Grass Hay: Bluestem, large round $60.00-$70.00. Brome, large round $70.00-$80.00, medium square 3×3 $120.00-$130.00. Wheat straw, large round $75.00-$85.00. The week of 5/31-6/6, 6,602T of grinding alfalfa, 425T of dairy alfalfa, and 996T of grass hay was reported bought or sold. The average paid by feedlots on May 1 for alfalfa ground and delivered was $138.32, down $8.66 from the previous month. Usage was 125 tons per day, up 93.2% from last month and total usage was 3,749T.

Southeast Kansas – Demand moderate to good. Trade slow to moderate. Alfalfa, all steady. Large square prairie hay $10 higher, small square brome hay $10 higher. Alfalfa: Dairy, $0.95-$1.05/point RFV. Premium/Supreme large round $225.00-$235.00. 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 $120.00-$135.00, small squares $175.00-$185.00. Brome large square 3×4 $155.00-$165.00, small square $260.00-$270.00. Wheat straw, round $80.00-$90.00. The week of 5/31-6/6, 1,217T 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.

North Central-Northeast Kansas – Demand moderate. Trade activity slow to moderate. Dairy alfalfa and grass hay, all steady. Grinding alfalfa and ground and delivered $10 higher. Alfalfa: Dairy $1.05-$1.15/point RFV. Premium/Supreme large square 3×4 $225.00-$235.00. Fair/good, grinding alfalfa, large round and large square 3×4 $100.00-$115.00 delivered. Alfalfa ground and delivered $155.00-$165.00. Grass Hay: Bluestem, large round $90.00-$100.00. Brome, small square, $9.00/bale. The week of 5/31-6/6, 660T of grinding alfalfa, 71T of dairy alfalfa, and 92T 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.