Hay demand remained steady last week, while movement was slightly lower due to weather conditions and limited truck availability. Drying conditions allowed fieldwork to resume, with producers continuing to plant winter wheat, swath alfalfa, and harvest soybeans. A light freeze occurred across much of the state but was not severe enough to cause significant crop damage. According to the US Drought Monitor for the week of October 22nd, drought conditions generally improved across portions of the central and southern High Plains this week, while no changes occurred across the northern Plains. Farther south, temperatures ranged from near to slightly above normal across portions of Nebraska, eastern Colorado and northern Kansas to 2 to 4 degrees below normal across southern Kansas. One-category improvements occurred across portions of eastern Wyoming, eastern Colorado, Nebraska and Kansas, where recent precipitation helped reduce short-term moisture deficits and improve soil moisture conditions. In Kansas, the categorical percent area of abnormally dry conditions (D0) increased to 26%, Moderate drought (D1) decreased to 18%, severe drought (D2) decreased to 5%, 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. Ground and delivered $5 higher. Alfalfa: Dairy, $1.10-$1.20/point RFV. Fair/good grinding alfalfa, large round and large square 3×4 $245.00-$255.00. Ground and delivered locally to feed lots and dairies $265.00-$275.00. 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. The week of 10/18-10/24, 8,380T of grinding alfalfa, 25T of dairy alfalfa, and 207T of grass hay was reported bought or sold.

South Central Kansas – Demand moderate to good. Trade moderate. Alfalfa and grass hay, all steady. 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. Prairie/meadow grass, large round $120.00-$130.00. Corn stalks, large round $120.00-$130.00. The week of 10/18-10/24, 7,620T of grinding alfalfa, 150T of dairy alfalfa, and 686T 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, $1.20-$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 10/18-10/24, 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. 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 $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 10/18-10/24, 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.