Compared to last week, hay movement and prices remained steady across the state. Much of Kansas continues to need significant moisture to support alfalfa production and row crop development. Third cutting alfalfa is generally yielding below average in most regions, with many producers reporting only marginal production. Prairie hay harvest is progressing, with overall yields reported as average. According to the US Drought Monitor for the week of July 30th, in the High Plains, For the week, drought-related conditions deteriorated across the region including in the Dakotas, Nebraska, and Kansas where temperatures were well above normal, especially in western portions of the region where anomalies ranged from 3 to 9 °F above normal. In Kansas, the categorical percent area of abnormally dry conditions (D0) increased to 20%, Moderate drought (D1) increased to 21%, severe drought (D2) stayed at 6%, there was no extreme drought (D3) or exceptional drought (D4) recorded with 52% 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. Alfalfa and grass hay, all steady. Alfalfa: Dairy, $1.10-$1.20/point RFV. Premium/Supreme large round $235.00-$245.00, large square 3×4 $250.00-$260.00. Fair/good, grinding alfalfa, large round and large square 3×4 $200.00-$210.00. 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. Corn stalks, large round $100.00-$110.00. Wheat straw, round $145.00-$155.00 delivered. The week of 7/26-8/1, 8,569T 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. Large round grounding alfalfa $5 lower. Alfalfa: Dairy $1.10-$1.15/point RFV. Premium/Supreme, large square 3×4 $260.00-$270.00, small square $18/bale. Good, stock cow, $200.00-$210.00. Fair/good, grinding alfalfa large round $170.00-$180.00, 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 7/26-8/1, 6,155T of grinding alfalfa, 650T of dairy alfalfa, and 221T of grass hay was reported bought or sold.

Southeast Kansas – Demand moderate to good. Trade slow to moderate. 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 $165.00-$175.00. Brome, large square 3×4 $180.00-$190.00, 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 7/26-8/1, 1,367T of grass hay, 75T of grinding alfalfa, and 125T 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. Alfalfa and grass hay, all steady. Alfalfa: Dairy $1.10-$1.15/point RFV. Premium/Supreme large square 3×4 $270.00-$280.00. Fair/good grinding alfalfa, large round $170.00-$180.00, 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, large square 3×4 $115.00-$125.00, small square $5.50/bale. The week of 7/26-8/1, 1,992T of grinding alfalfa, 125T 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.