Compared to the previous report, demand and prices remained strong across the state this past week. Many producers were occupied with wheat harvest and soybean planting, resulting in slight delays to hay production. Reports indicate second-cutting alfalfa is progressing well, with producers expecting high-quality forage. Demand for all classes of alfalfa remains strong as inventories continue to be limited in many areas. According to the US Drought Monitor for the week of June 18th, across the High Plains states, drought continues to persist across western Kansas and eastern Colorado. Continued lack of rainfall and warmer-than-normal temperatures led to worsening drought conditions in the plains of eastern Colorado and small portions of northwestern Kansas. In Kansas, the categorical percent area of abnormally dry conditions (D0) decreased to 15%, Moderate drought (D1) increased to 26%, severe drought (D2) decreased to 18%, extreme drought (D3) increased to 1.50%, there was no exceptional drought (D4) recorded with 38% of the state experiencing 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 to good. Dairy alfalfa and grass hay, all steady. Premium/Supreme alfalfa $10 higher, grinding alfalfa $10 higher, ground and delivered $10 higher. Alfalfa: Dairy, $0.90-$1.00/point RFV. Premium/Supreme large square 3×4, $220.00-$230.00. Fair/good, grinding alfalfa, old crop, large round $105.00-$115.00, new crop large square 3×4 $180.00-$200.00. Ground and delivered locally to feed lots and dairies $190.00-$200.00. Alfalfa pellets: Sun cured 15 and 17 pct protein $230.00. Old crop grass hay: Bluestem, large square 3×4 $85.00-$95.00. Brome, large square 3×4 $160.00 delivered. The week of 6/14-6/20, 12,420T of grinding alfalfa, 750T of dairy alfalfa, and 815T of grass hay was reported bought or sold.

South Central Kansas – Demand moderate to good. Trade moderate. Grass hay, all steady. Grinding alfalfa and ground and delivered $10 higher. Alfalfa: Dairy $1.10-$1.20/point RFV. Premium/Supreme, large square 3×4 $235.00-$245.00, medium square 3×3 $315.00-$325.00. Fair/good, grinding alfalfa new crop large round $165.00-$175.00, large square 3×4 $185.00-$195.00. Alfalfa ground and delivered $180.00-$190.00. Alfalfa pellets: Sun cured 15 pct protein $230.00-$240.00, 17% dehydrated $330. Old crop 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, large square 3×4 $145.00-$155.00. Wheat straw, large round $75.00-$85.00. The week of 6/14-6/20, 6,236T of grinding alfalfa, 575T of dairy alfalfa, and 1,066T of grass hay was reported bought or sold.

Southeast Kansas – Demand moderate to good. Trade slow to moderate. Alfalfa, all steady. Prairie hay and 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, old crop large square 3×4 $120.00–$130.00. Old crop grass hay: Bluestem, large round $100.00-$110.00, large square 3×4 $135.00-$145.00, small squares $175.00-$185.00. Brome large square 3×4 $175.00-$185.00, small square $295.00-$305.00. Wheat straw, round $80.00-$90.00. The week of 6/14-6/20, 1,270T of grass hay, 71T 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 brome grass, all steady. Grinding alfalfa $5 higher, ground and delivered $10 higher. Alfalfa: Dairy $1.05-$1.15/point RFV. Premium/Supreme large square 3×4 $215.00-$225.00. Fair/good, grinding alfalfa, new crop large round and large square 3×4 $145.00-$155.00. Alfalfa ground and delivered $195.00-$205.00. Old crop grass Hay: Bluestem, large round $115.00-$125.00. Brome, small square, $8.50-$9.50/bale. The week of 6/14-6/20, 1,075T of grinding alfalfa, 271T of dairy alfalfa, and 161T 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.