Hay supply remained tight this past week, while movement slowed due to weather conditions and elevated fuel costs, making transportation increasingly costly. Fifth- and sixth-cutting alfalfa was put up, with initial reports indicating very good quality ahead of testing. According to the US Drought Monitor for the week of October 29th, in the High Plains, excessive precipitation and areas of flooding were reported across much of central and southern Colorado last week, with at least moderate amounts (over 0.5 inch) common from the western half of Kansas northward through most of Nebraska and South Dakota. In Kansas, the categorical percent area of abnormally dry conditions (D0) increased to 27%, Moderate drought (D1) decreased to 16%, severe drought (D2) stayed at 5%, and there was no extreme drought (D3) or exceptional drought (D4) recorded with 52% 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 slow to moderate. Alfalfa and grass hay, all steady. Alfalfa: Dairy, $1.20-$1.30/point RFV. Good, stock cow, $285.00-$295.00 delivered. 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 10/25-11/01, 7,704T of grinding alfalfa, 25T of dairy alfalfa, and 23T of grass hay was reported bought or sold.

South Central Kansas – Demand moderate to good. Trade slow to moderate. Alfalfa and brome hay, all steady. Large round prairie hay $10 lower. Alfalfa: Dairy $1.20-$1.25/point RFV. Horse hay, small square $18-$20/bale, medium square 3×3, $195.00-$205.00. 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 $310.00-$320.00, 17% dehydrated $355. Grass hay: Bluestem, large round $120.00-$130.00. 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 10/25-11/01, 7,400T of grinding alfalfa, 150T of dairy alfalfa, and 709T 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 10/25-11/01, 1,822T of grass hay, 200T of grinding alfalfa, and 75T of dairy alfalfa was reported bought or sold.

Northwest Kansas – Demand moderate to good. Trade activity slow. Dairy alfalfa $1.20-$1.30/point RFV. Premium/Supreme, medium square 3×3, $300.00-$310.00 delivered, small square $12/bale delivered. 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 round $180.00-$190.00, 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 10/25-11/01, 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.