Compared to last week, prices and demand remained steady. Dry conditions persisted across much of the state, with many areas in need of additional moisture. Third cutting alfalfa and brome hay harvest has concluded for many producers, while prairie hay harvest is now underway. Overall hay quality has been reported as good where producers were able to bale ahead of recent precipitation. According to the US Drought Monitor for the week of July 23rd, in the High Plains, on this week’s map, drought-related conditions deteriorated across the region including in the Dakotas and Nebraska with reports of rapidly deteriorating conditions. In Kansas, the categorical percent area of abnormally dry conditions (D0) increased to 16%, Moderate drought (D1) stayed at 20%, severe drought (D2) decreased to 6%, there was no extreme drought (D3) or exceptional drought (D4) recorded with 57% 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. Grinding alfalfa $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 $200.00-$220.00. 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. Wheat straw, round $125.00-$130.00 delivered. The week of 7/19-7/25, 8,165T 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, $200.00-$220.00. 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, small square $10.00/bale. Brome, large square 3×4 $175.00-$185.00, small square $15/bale. Wheat, large square 3×4 $145.00-$155.00. The week of 7/19-7/25, 6,823T of grinding alfalfa, 650T of dairy alfalfa, and 196T of grass hay was reported bought or sold.

Southeast Kansas – Demand moderate to good. Trade slow to moderate. Dairy alfalfa and grass hay, all steady. Alfalfa: Dairy, $1.15-$1.25/point RFV. Fair/good grinding alfalfa, large square 3×4 $180.00–$190.00. Grass hay: Bluestem, large round $95.00-$105.00, large square 3×4 $105.00-$115.00, small squares $175.00-$185.00. Brome, large square 3×4 $180.00-$200.00, small square $295.00-$305.00, small square $17.00/bale. Wheat straw, round $70.00-$80.00, small square $6.00/bale. The week of 7/19-7/25, 1,080T of grass hay, 75T 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. Alfalfa: Dairy $1.05-$1.15/point RFV. Premium/Supreme large square 3×4 $270.00-$280.00. Fair/good grinding alfalfa, large round and large square 3×4 $180.00-$190.00. Alfalfa ground and delivered $190.00-$200.00. 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 $90.00-$100.00, small square $5.50/bale. The week of 7/19-7/25, 1,567T of grinding alfalfa, 50T of dairy alfalfa, and 330T 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.