Hay supplies remain tight, with prices continuing to increase steadily in some areas. Producers are facing increased harvest pressure as they work to complete field activities ahead of the first freeze. Some feedlots are adjusting rations by incorporating failed corn and milo to reduce alfalfa usage amid elevated prices. Demand for alfalfa pellets remains strong, while supplies continue to be limited. According to the US Drought Monitor for the week of November 5th, in the High Plains, widespread precipitation resulted in 1-category improvements to the western third Colorado along with parts of the Northern to Central Great Plains. Recent precipitation and the “convergence of evidence” supported discontinuing the D3 in most of the Nebraska Panhandle. In Kansas, the categorical percent area of abnormally dry conditions (D0) decreased to 23%, Moderate drought (D1) decreased to 11%, severe drought (D2) decreased to 2%, and there was no extreme drought (D3) or exceptional drought (D4) recorded with 64% 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. Ground and delivered $10 higher. Alfalfa: Dairy, $1.20-$1.30/point RFV. Horse hay, small square $15/bale. 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 $280.00-$290.00. 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. Corn stalks, large round $115.00-$125.00. Teff, large round $235.00-$245.00, small square $10/bale. Wheat straw, small square $6/bale. The week of 11/01-11/07, 5,555T of grinding alfalfa, 25T of dairy alfalfa, and 73T of grass hay was reported bought or sold. The average paid by feedlots on October 1 for alfalfa ground and delivered was $220.22, down $5.72 from the previous month. Usage was 321 tons per day, down 27% from last month and total usage was 9,948T.

South Central Kansas – Demand moderate to good. Trade slow to moderate. Alfalfa and brome hay, all steady. 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, delivered. 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. Wheat straw, small square $6/bale. The week of 11/01-11/07, 7,400T of grinding alfalfa, 150T of dairy alfalfa, and 559T of grass hay was reported bought or sold. The average paid by feedlots on October 1 for alfalfa ground and delivered was $201.42, down $2.64 from the previous month. Usage was 86 tons per day, up 67% from last month and total usage was 2,578T.

Southeast Kansas – Demand moderate to good. Trade slow to moderate. Dairy alfalfa and grass hay, all steady. Grinding alfalfa $10 higher. Alfalfa: Dairy, $1.20-$1.30/point RFV. Horse hay, small square $15/bale. Fair/good grinding alfalfa, large square 3×4 $230.00–$240.00. 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. Wheat straw, round $70.00-$80.00, small square $6.00/bale. The week of 11/01-11/07, 1,752T of grass hay, 225T of grinding alfalfa, and 50T 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. Ground and delivered $10 higher. Alfalfa: Dairy $1.20-$1.30/point RFV. Horse hay, small square $15/bale. Fair/good grinding alfalfa, large round $180.00-$190.00, large square 3×4 $220.00-$230.00. Alfalfa ground and delivered $195.00-$205.00. 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 11/01-11/07, 399T of grinding alfalfa, 430T of dairy alfalfa, and 1,088T 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.