Compared to last week, demand remained steady while movement slowed as available hay inventories began to diminish. As drought conditions worsen and producers explore alternative feed sources, producers should be aware of pesticide label requirements regarding what can and cannot be used for livestock feed. According to the US Drought Monitor for the week of September 10th, conditions in the High Plains region this week were mixed. Scattered heavy rains fell in northeast and southwest Nebraska, southeast South Dakota, northern North Dakota and far southwest Kansas, leading to localized or widespread improvements in these and neighboring areas. Temperatures were mostly 10-15 degrees above normal in Kansas, eastern Nebraska and southeastern South Dakota. Eastern Kansas and southeast Nebraska were particularly hot and dry this week, leading to large expansions of moderate, severe and extreme drought in south-central and southeast Kansas, and the introduction of abnormal dryness in much of northeast Kansas. In Kansas, the categorical percent area of abnormally dry conditions (D0) increased to 36%, Moderate drought (D1) decreased to 22%, severe drought (D2) increased to 31%, extreme drought (D3) increased to 2% and there was no exceptional drought (D4) recorded with only 9% 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 $5 higher. Alfalfa: Dairy, $1.10-$1.20/point RFV. Premium/Supreme large square 3×4 $250.00-$260.00. Fair/good grinding alfalfa, large round $235.00-$245.00, large square 3×4 $210.00-$220.00. Ground and delivered locally to feed lots and dairies $255.00-$265.00. 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. Wheat straw, round $140.00-$150.00 delivered. Teff, large round $215.00-$225.00. The week of 9/6-9/12, 7,125T of grinding alfalfa, 500T of dairy alfalfa, and 100T 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, ground and delivered $5 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, $225.00-$235.00. Fair/good, grinding alfalfa large round $210.00-$220.00, large square 3×4 $225.00-$235.00. Alfalfa ground and delivered $245.00-$255.00. Alfalfa pellets: Sun cured 15 pct protein $275.00-$285.00, 17% dehydrated $355. Grass hay: Bluestem, small square $10/bale. Brome, large square 3×4 $175.00-$185.00, small square $15/bale. The week of 9/6-9/12, 7,324T of grinding alfalfa, 150T of dairy alfalfa, and 142T of grass hay was reported bought or sold.

Southeast Kansas – Demand moderate to good. Trade slow to moderate. Alfalfa and brome grass, all steady. Prairie hay $10 higher. Alfalfa: Dairy, $1.20-$1.30/point RFV. Fair/good grinding alfalfa, large square 3×4 $190.00–$200.00. Grass hay: Bluestem, large round $105.00-$115.00, large square 3×4 $130.00-$140.00, small squares $8/bale. Brome, large square 3×4 $160.00-$170.00, small square $12/bale. Wheat straw, round $70.00-$80.00, small square $6.00/bale. Teff, small square $12/bale. The week of 9/6-9/12, 2,034T of grass hay, 300T of grinding alfalfa, and 200T 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 square 3×4 $175.00-$185.00. Alfalfa ground and delivered $185.00-$195.00. Grass Hay: Bluestem, large round $100.00-$110.00, large square 3×4 $115.00-$125.00, small square $8/bale. Brome, large round $145.00-$155.00, large square 3×4 $180.00-$190.00, small square, $10/bale. Wheat straw, large square 3×4 $115.00-$125.00, small square $6.00-$7.00/bale. The week of 9/6-9/12, 664T of grinding alfalfa, 300T of dairy alfalfa, and 1,084T 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.