Compared to last week, hay movement remained steady across the state. Many producers have begun third cutting alfalfa, with yields reported as near to below average. Quality has been reported as very good where producers were able to bale ahead of recent rainfall. Brome hay yields and quality continue to vary significantly by region, while prairie hay harvest is just beginning in many areas of the state. According to the US Drought Monitor for the week of July 16th, Rains exceeding 2 inches fell this week in northeast South Dakota and from parts of south-central Nebraska southeast through parts of northeast Kansas. Spotty heavy rain, locally in the 1.5-2-inch range, fell across eastern Colorado, western Kansas, western Nebraska and southwest South Dakota, as well as a few areas in North Dakota. These rains led to localized improvements in eastern Colorado, western Kansas and western Nebraska, where soil moisture improved and precipitation deficits decreased in severity. In Kansas, the categorical percent area of abnormally dry conditions (D0) stayed at 14%, Moderate drought (D1) stayed at 20%, severe drought (D2) decreased to 6%, 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. Dairy alfalfa and grass hay, all steady. Ground and delivered $10 higher, alfalfa pellets $10 higher. Alfalfa: Dairy, $1.05-$1.15/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 $250.00-$260.00. Alfalfa pellets: Sun cured 15 and 17 pct protein $280.00-$290.00. Grass hay: Bluestem, large square 3×4 $100.00-$115.00. Brome, none reported. The week of 7/12-7/18, 9,640T of grinding alfalfa, 500T of dairy alfalfa, and 700T of grass hay was reported bought or sold.

South Central Kansas – Demand moderate to good. Trade moderate. Dairy alfalfa and grass hay, all steady. 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 large round $175.00-$185.00, large square 3×4 $190.00-$200.00. Alfalfa ground and delivered $240.00-$250.00. Alfalfa pellets: Sun cured 15 pct protein $260.00-$270.00, 17% dehydrated $330. Grass hay: Bluestem, none reported. Brome, small square $15/bale. Wheat, large square 3×4 $145.00-$155.00. The week of 7/12-7/18, 6,687T of grinding alfalfa, 565T of dairy alfalfa, and 100T of grass hay was reported bought or sold.

Southeast Kansas – Demand moderate to good. Trade slow to moderate. Dairy alfalfa and brome hay, all steady. Grinding alfalfa $10 higher, prairie hay $10 higher. 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 $180.00–$190.00. Grass hay: Bluestem, large round $100.00-$110.00, large square 3×4 $110.00-$120.00, small squares $175.00-$185.00. Brome, large square 3×4 $180.00-$200.00, small square $295.00-$305.00. Wheat straw, round $80.00-$90.00, small square $6.00/bale. The week of 7/12-7/18, 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 $200.00-$210.00.

North Central-Northeast Kansas – Demand moderate. Trade activity slow to moderate. Dairy alfalfa and prairie hay, all steady. Ground and delivered $10 higher, large square brome $5 higher. Alfalfa: Dairy $1.05-$1.15/point RFV. Premium/Supreme large square 3×4 $230.00-$240.00. Fair/good grinding alfalfa, large round and large square 3×4 $190.00-$200.00. Alfalfa ground and delivered $190.00-$210.00. Grass Hay: Bluestem, large round $115.00-$125.00. Brome, large round $140.00-$150.00, large square 3×4 $180.00-$190.00, small square, $8.50-$9.50/bale. Wheat straw, round $110.00-$120.00, small square $5.50/bale. The week of 7/12-7/18, 1,942T 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.