Compared to last week, demand and movement remained steady. Western Kansas remains very dry, with alfalfa struggling to maintain growth due to limited moisture. Prairie hay production is yielding high tonnage and continues to move readily. States experiencing more severe drought conditions are actively seeking hay supplies from Kansas. According to the US Drought Monitor for the week of August 20th, in the High Plains, Southern Kansas had some drought degradations from the flash drought warm and dry conditions over the past week. However, eastern Colorado and Wyoming east through Nebraska and northern Kansas received welcome rainfall resulting in drought improvements in these areas. In Kansas, the categorical percent area of abnormally dry conditions (D0) decreased to 27%, Moderate drought (D1) increased to 27%, severe drought (D2) increased to 12%, there was no extreme drought (D3) or exceptional drought (D4) recorded with 33% 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 square 3×4 $250.00-$260.00. Fair/good grinding alfalfa, large square 3×4 $205.00-$215.00. Ground and delivered locally to feed lots and dairies $245.00-$255.00. 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, small square $10/bale. Corn stalks, large round $100.00-$110.00. Oat hay, large square 3×4 $165.00-$175.00. Wheat straw, round $140.00-$150.00 delivered. The week of 8/16-8/22, 7,121T of grinding alfalfa, 525T of dairy alfalfa, and 750T of grass hay was reported bought or sold.

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 $250.00-$260.00, small square $13/bale. Good, stock cow, $200.00-$210.00. Fair/good, grinding alfalfa large round $180.00-$190.00, large square 3×4 $190.00-$200.00. Alfalfa ground and delivered $240.00-$250.00. Alfalfa pellets: Sun cured 15 pct protein $265.00-$275.00, 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 $155.00-$165.00. The week of 8/16-8/22, 6,880T of grinding alfalfa, 600T of dairy alfalfa, and 192T 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. Good stock cow, $185.00-$195.00. Fair/good grinding alfalfa, large square 3×4 $180.00–$190.00. Grass hay: Bluestem, large round $90.00-$100.00, large square 3×4 and 4×4, $115.00-$125.00, small squares $210.00-$215.00. Brome, large square 3×4 $180.00-$190.00, small square $300.00-$315.00. Wheat straw, round $70.00-$80.00, small square $6.00/bale. The week of 8/16-8/22, 1,554T of grass hay, 250T 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 $1.10-$1.20/point RFV. Premium/Supreme, large square 3×4 $220.00-$230.00. Fair/good grinding alfalfa, large square 3×4 $205.00-$215.00.

North Central-Northeast Kansas – Demand moderate. Trade activity slow to moderate. Alfalfa and grass hay, all steady. Alfalfa: Dairy $1.20-$1.30/point RFV. Fair/good grinding alfalfa, large round $165.00-$175.00, large square 3×4 $195.00-$205.00. Alfalfa ground and delivered $225.00-$235.00. Grass Hay: Bluestem, large round and large square 3×4 $115.00-$125.00, small square $8/bale. Brome, large round $160.00-$170.00, large square 3×4 $180.00-$190.00, small square, $9/bale. Wheat straw, round $110.00-$120.00, large square 3×4 $125.00-$135.00, small square $5.50/bale. The week of 8/16-8/22, 1,417T of grinding alfalfa, 200T of dairy alfalfa, and 884T 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.