Hay movement remained steady this past week. Many areas of the state received substantial moisture, benefiting sorghum fields and replenishing ponds. However, wet conditions have hindered wheat planting in some areas. According to the US Drought Monitor for the week of October 1st, the High Plains states experienced almost exclusively drought improvements this week, as many areas experienced beneficial rainfall, with Colorado, Kansas, and Nebraska being beneficiaries of the east-Pacific “El Niño” tropical connection. Despite temperatures being up to 6 or more degrees above average, the plentiful rainfall has contributed to drought improvement in many areas this week. In Kansas, the categorical percent area of abnormally dry conditions (D0) decreased to 24%, Moderate drought (D1) increased to 24%, severe drought (D2) decreased to 23%, extreme drought (D3) decreased to 0 and there was no exceptional drought (D4) recorded with 30% 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. Alfalfa and grass hay, all steady. Ground and delivered $5 higher. Alfalfa: Dairy, $1.10-$1.20/point RFV. Good stock cow, $265.00-$275.00. Fair/good grinding alfalfa, large round and large square 3×4 $240.00-$250.00. Ground and delivered locally to feed lots and dairies $260.00-$270.00. Alfalfa pellets: Sun cured 15 and 17 pct protein $280.00-$290.00. Grass hay: Bluestem, none reported. Brome, none reported. Wheat straw, small square $5.00/bale. Teff, large round $195.00.00-$205.00. The week of 9/27-10/3, 7,585T of grinding alfalfa, 0T 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. Ground and delivered $5 higher. Alfalfa: Dairy $1.10-$1.15/point RFV. Horse hay, small square $18/bale. Medium square 3×3 $250.00. Good, stock cow, $225.00-$235.00. Fair/good, grinding alfalfa large round $180.00-$200.00, large square 3×4 $235.00-$245.00. Alfalfa ground and delivered $255.00-$265.00. Alfalfa pellets: Sun cured 15 pct protein $285.00-$295.00, 17% dehydrated $355. Grass hay: Bluestem, large round $145.00-$155.00, large square 3×4 $95.00-$105.00, small square $10/bale. Brome, large square 3×4 $175.00-$185.00, medium square 3×3 $220.00-$230.00, small square $14/bale. The week of 9/27-10/3, 7,288T of grinding alfalfa, 198T of dairy alfalfa, and 421T of grass hay was reported bought or sold.

Southeast Kansas – Demand moderate to good. Trade slow to moderate. Dairy alfalfa and prairie hay, all steady. Brome hay $5 higher. Alfalfa: Dairy, $1.20-$1.30/point RFV. Fair/good grinding alfalfa, large square 3×4 $195.00–$205.00. Grass hay: Bluestem, large round $95.00-$105.00, large square 3×4 $120.00-$130.00, small squares $8/bale. Brome, large square 3×4 $185.00-$195.00, small square $12/bale. Wheat straw, round $70.00-$80.00, small square $6.00/bale. The week of 9/27-10/3, 1,693T of grass hay, 350T of grinding alfalfa, and 175T 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. Dairy alfalfa and grass hay, all steady. Grinding alfalfa $5 higher. Alfalfa: Dairy $1.20-$1.30/point RFV. Fair/good grinding alfalfa, large square 3×4 $215.00-$225.00. Alfalfa ground and delivered $185.00-$195.00. Grass Hay: Bluestem, large round $90.00-$100.00, 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, round $65.00-$75.00, large square 3×4 $115.00-$125.00, small square $7/bale. The week of 9/27-10/3, 882T of grinding alfalfa, 200T of dairy alfalfa, and 1,038T 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.