In Kansas the hay trade is slow to moderate. Demand strong for dairy alfalfa, and moderate for alfalfa pellets, weak for grinding alfalfa, brome and prairie hay, according to the Kansas Department of Agriculture-USDA Market News Service, March 22. Prices given on a per-ton basis, unless otherwise noted.

Southwest:

Dairy/grinding alfalfa steady. Movement active. Horse alfalfa: $100-$160; supreme dairy, RFV 185-200+: $100-$125; premium, RFV 170-185: $95-$105; good, RFV 150-170: $75-$95. Utility/fair grinding alfalfa, in the field: $55-$65, ground and delivered: $72-$85. For the week ending March 12, 15,410 tons of alfalfa was ground and delivered.

South central:

Dairy/grinding alfalfa and alfalfa pellets steady. Movement moderate to active. Supreme dairy alfalfa: $100-$125; premium: $90-$110; good: $75-$95. Utility/fair grinding alfalfa, in the field: $45-$50; utility: $30, ground and delivered: $65-$80. For the week ending May 12, 5,121 tons of grinding alfalfa and 1,439 tons of dairy alfalfa were delivered. Sun-cured alfalfa pellets, 15% protein: $89-$100; dehydrated, 17% protein: $112-$115.

Southeast:

Alfalfa, brome and prairie hay steady. Movement moderate to spots active. Horse alfalfa: $100-$120; supreme dairy: $90-$110; premium: $80-$100; fair: $65-$70. Fair bluestem, in small squares: $45-$60; good: $60-$70, in medium and large squares: $45-$60, in large rounds: $25-$45. Good brome, in small squares: $65-$75, in medium and large squares: $60-$75; fair: $50-$60, in large rounds: $25-$45. Grass mulch, in large rounds: $30, or CWF: $40-$45.

Northwest:

Dairy/grinding alfalfa steady. Movement moderate. Horse alfalfa, scarce: $100-$140; supreme dairy: $95-$120; premium: $90-$100. Utility/fair grinding alfalfa, in the field: $40-$60, ground and delivered: $65-$85.

North/central/northeast:

Dairy/grinding alfalfa, prairie hay and brome steady. Movement moderate to spots active. Horse alfalfa, scarce: $100-$130; supreme dairy: $100-$120; premium: $90-$105; good: $75-$90. Utility/fair grinding alfalfa, in the field: $30-$45, ground on truck: $45-$60. Good bluestem grass, in small squares: $60-$70, in large rounds: $25-$40. Premium brome, in small squares: $80-$85; fair/good, in small squares: $65-$75, in medium and large squares: $50-$65, in large rounds: $30-$40. Straw, in small squares: $1.50-$2/bale, in medium squares: $35-$45.

Source: Kansas Department of Agriculture-USDA Market News Service, Dodge City, Kan.

Date: 3/22/05