Compared to last week, hay movement was light to moderate as many producers concentrated on swathing and baling hay. Third cutting alfalfa is underway in some areas, with yields reported to be better than earlier cuttings. Brome hay production has been lighter than expected, while prairie hay harvest is expected to begin over the coming weeks. Weather conditions remain highly variable across the state, with drought conditions intensifying in some regions while others continue to receive timely rainfall. Demand remained good, and prices were generally steady. According to the US Drought Monitor for the week of July 9th, temperatures in the High Plains region were mostly near- or warmer-than-normal this week, with temperatures in eastern Nebraska and eastern South Dakota ranging from 3-6 degrees above normal. Scattered heavier rains fell in showers and thunderstorms that moved across parts of the Great Plains of northeast Colorado, the northern half of Kansas, parts of southwest and southeast Nebraska, and the Missouri and Big Sioux River corridors in South Dakota and northeast Nebraska. These rains locally improved drought or abnormally dry conditions. In Kansas, the categorical percent area of abnormally dry conditions (D0) decreased to 14%, Moderate drought (D1) increased to 20%, severe drought (D2) decreased to 7%, there was no extreme drought (D3) or exceptional drought (D4) recorded with 60% 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. Grass hay, all steady. Premium alfalfa $10 higher, ground and delivered $10 higher, alfalfa pellets $10 higher. Alfalfa: Dairy, $0.90-$1.00/point RFV. Premium/Supreme large square 3×4, $250.00-$260.00. Fair/good, grinding alfalfa, large round and large square 3×4 $190.00-$200.00. Ground and delivered locally to feed lots and dairies $225.00-$235.00. Alfalfa pellets: Sun cured 15 and 17 pct protein $260.00. Grass hay: Bluestem, large square 3×4 $85.00-$95.00. Brome, large square 3×4 $160.00 delivered. The week of 7/5-7/11, 9,763T of grinding alfalfa, 500T of dairy alfalfa, and 723T of grass hay was reported bought or sold. The average paid by feedlots on June 1 for alfalfa ground and delivered was $188.77, up $35 from the previous month. Usage was 620 tons per day, up 28% from last month and total usage was 19,223.5T.

South Central Kansas – Demand moderate to good. Trade moderate. Dairy alfalfa and grass hay, all steady. Grinding alfalfa $10 higher. Alfalfa: Dairy $1.10-$1.15/point RFV. Premium/Supreme, large square 3×4 $270.00-$280.00, medium square 3×3 $220.00-$230.00, small square $18/bale. Good, stock cow, $205.00-$230.00. Fair/good, grinding alfalfa new crop large round and large square 3×4 $190.00-$200.00. Alfalfa ground and delivered $180.00-$190.00. Alfalfa pellets: Sun cured 15 pct protein $260.00-$270.00, 17% dehydrated $330. Old crop grass hay: Bluestem, large round $65.00-$75.00. Brome, small square $15/bale. Wheat, large square 3×4 $145.00-$155.00. The week of 7/5-7/11, 6,453T of grinding alfalfa, 465T of dairy alfalfa, and 100T of grass hay was reported bought or sold. The average paid by feedlots on June 1 for alfalfa ground and delivered was $175.13, up $36.81 from the previous month. Usage was 93 tons per day, down 43.8% from last month and total usage was 2,791T.

Southeast Kansas – Demand moderate to good. Trade slow to moderate. Alfalfa and grass hay, all steady. Alfalfa: Dairy, $1.15-$1.25/point RFV. Good, stock or dry cow, $155.00-$165.00. Fair/good grinding alfalfa, large square 3×4 $160.00–$170.00. Grass hay: Bluestem, large round and large square 3×4 $115.00-$125.00, small squares $175.00-$185.00. Brome, large square 3×4 $195.00-$205.00, small square $295.00-$305.00. Wheat straw, round $80.00-$90.00, small square $6.00/bale. The week of 7/5-7/11, 1,080T of grass hay, 150T 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, large square 3×4 $220.00-$230.00, small square $195.00-$205.00. Fair/good grinding alfalfa, large square 3×4 $180.00-$190.00.

North Central-Northeast Kansas – Demand moderate. Trade activity slow to moderate. Alfalfa and grass, all steady. Alfalfa: Dairy $1.05-$1.15/point RFV. Premium/Supreme large square 3×4 $220.00-$230.00. Fair/good, grinding alfalfa, large round and large square 3×4 $190.00-$200.00. Alfalfa ground and delivered $180.00-$200.00. Old crop grass Hay: Bluestem, large round $115.00-$125.00. Brome, large round and large square 3×4 $175.00-$185.00, small square, $8.50-$9.50/bale. Wheat straw, round $110.00-$120.00, small square $5.50/bale. The week of 7/5-7/11, 1,472T of grinding alfalfa, 275T of dairy alfalfa, and 230T 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.