Hay movement was limited over the past week as hay supplies remained tight in most areas. Demand remained steady to strong, with limited hay available for purchase. Cooler temperatures across the state slowed activity in some areas, while producers continued to monitor remaining hay supplies heading into the winter months. According to the US Drought Monitor for the week of October 15th, drought conditions remained largely unchanged across the High Plains, with localized improvements across portions of North Dakota, Wyoming and Colorado and limited deterioration in Kansas. Most of the Dakotas, Nebraska and Kansas received little precipitation during the week, with widespread areas recording less than 25 percent of normal. In Kansas, localized degradations occurred across eastern border with Missouri, where continued dryness and above-normal temperatures contributed to worsening short-term conditions. In Kansas, the categorical percent area of abnormally dry conditions (D0) stayed at 18%, Moderate drought (D1) stayed at 20%, severe drought (D2) stayed at 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 $245.00-$255.00. 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, large square 3×4 $115.00-$125.00. Brome, none reported. Wheat straw, small square $5.00/bale. Teff, large round $195.00.00-$205.00. The week of 10/11-10/17, 8,176T of grinding alfalfa, 25T of dairy alfalfa, and 146T of grass hay was reported bought or sold.

South Central Kansas – Demand moderate to good. Trade moderate. Alfalfa and grass hay, all steady. Alfalfa pellets $10 higher. Alfalfa: Dairy $1.10-$1.15/point RFV. Horse hay, small square $18/bale. 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 $310.00-$320.00, 17% dehydrated $355. Grass hay: Bluestem, large round $130.00-$140.00. 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 10/11-10/17, 7,856T of grinding alfalfa, 150T of dairy alfalfa, and 736T of grass hay was reported bought or sold.

Southeast Kansas – Demand moderate to good. Trade slow to moderate. Dairy alfalfa and brome hay, all steady. Grinding alfalfa $10 higher, large square prairie hay $5 higher. Alfalfa: Dairy, $1.20-$1.30/point RFV. Horse hay, small square $15/bale. Fair/good grinding alfalfa, large square 3×4 $210.00–$220.00. Grass hay: Bluestem, large round $95.00-$105.00, large square 3×4 $125.00-$135.00, small squares $7.00-$8.00/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 10/11-10/17, 1,680T of grass hay, 275T 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 $220.00-$230.00. 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 10/11-10/17, 628T of grinding alfalfa, 200T of dairy alfalfa, and 1,061T 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.