Hay movement slowed this past week as much of the state received heavy rainfall. Demand remained high. Recent rainfall and warm temperatures have many producers anticipating another cutting of alfalfa. According to the US Drought Monitor for the week of October 8th, in the High Plains, widespread heavy precipitation abetted robust improvement across eastern Colorado, central and western Kansas, and parts of southern Nebraska. Numerous locations reported 3 to locally over 6 inches of rain, which was sufficient to support 2-category improvements in portions of southeastern Colorado and the western half of Kansas. In Kansas, the categorical percent area of abnormally dry conditions (D0) decreased to 18%, Moderate drought (D1) decreased to 20%, severe drought (D2) decreased to 10%, and there was no extreme drought (D3) or exceptional drought (D4) recorded with 51% 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. 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 10/4-10/10, 8,258T of grinding alfalfa, 0T of dairy alfalfa, and 100T of grass hay was reported bought or sold. The average paid by feedlots on September 1 for alfalfa ground and delivered was $225.94, up $16.28 from the previous month. Usage was 439 tons per day, down 8.05% from last month and total usage was 13,613T.

South Central Kansas – Demand moderate to good. Trade moderate. All alfalfa, steady. Ground and delivered $5 higher, large round prairie hay $10 lower, brome hay $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 and large square 3×4 $235.00-$245.00. Alfalfa ground and delivered $260.00-$270.00. Alfalfa pellets: Sun cured 15 pct protein $290.00-$300.00, 17% dehydrated $355. Grass hay: Bluestem, large round $130.00-$140.00, small square $10/bale. Brome, large round $135.00-$145.00, large square 3×4 $175.00-$185.00, medium square 3×3 $245.00-$255.00, small square $14/bale. The week of 10/4-10/10, 8,052T of grinding alfalfa, 150T of dairy alfalfa, and 736T of grass hay was reported bought or sold. The average paid by feedlots on September 1 for alfalfa ground and delivered was $204.06, up $6.98 from the previous month. Usage was 51 tons per day, down 63% from last month and total usage was 1,540T.

Southeast Kansas – Demand moderate to good. Trade slow to moderate. Dairy alfalfa and grass hay, all steady. 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 10/4-10/10, 1,670T 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. Alfalfa and grass hay, all steady. 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. Sudan, large round $75.00-$85.00. 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.