Strong demand for grinding hay

In Kansas the hay trade is moderate to active. Demand strongest for grinding alfalfa, stock cow quality hay and alfalfa pellets, strong for dairy alfalfa, prairie hay and brome, especially large squares of prairie hay, moderate for grass mulch, according to the Kansas Department of Agriculture-USDA Market News Service, Feb. 21. Prices given on a per-ton basis, unless otherwise noted.

Southwest:

Dairy/grinding alfalfa steady. Movement active. Horse alfalfa, in small squares: $150-$160; supreme dairy: $110-$130; premium: $100-$110; fair: $125-$130. Utility/fair grinding alfalfa, in the field: $90-$100, ground and delivered: $105-$115, ground on truck: $96-$100. For the week ending Feb. 11, 15,788 tons of grinding alfalfa and 2,452 tons of dairy alfalfa were delivered.

South central:

Dairy/grinding alfalfa and alfalfa pellets steady to firm. Movement active. Supreme dairy alfalfa: $110-$125; premium: $100-$115; good: $90-$105. Utility/fair grinding alfalfa, in the field: $75-$95, ground and delivered: $85-$105. For the week ending Feb. 11, 5,414 tons of grinding alfalfa and 2,503 tons of dairy alfalfa were delivered. Sun-cured alfalfa pellets, 15 and 17% protein: $120-$130; dehydrated, 17% protein: $145. Good sudan, in large bales: $40-$50.

Southeast:

Alfalfa, brome and prairie hay steady. Movement active. Horse and goat alfalfa, in small and medium squares: $100-$120. Supreme dairy: $100-$120; premium: $95-$105; good: $80-$90; fair: $80. Fair bluestem, in small squares: $45-$65; good: $65-$75, in medium and large squares: $60-$75, in large rounds: $50-$55. Good brome, in small squares: $65-$75, in medium and large squares: $60-$75; horse: $90, in large rounds: $45-$60. Good gamma, in medium squares: $60.

Northwest:

Dairy/grinding alfalfa steady. Movement moderate to active. Horse alfalfa: $120-$150; supreme dairy: $100-$105; premium: $90-$100; good: $80-$90; fair: $80. Utility/fair grinding alfalfa, in the field, scarce: $50-$65, ground and delivered: $75-$85. Good sudan, in large rounds: $40-$45.

North central-northeast:

Dairy/grinding alfalfa, prairie hay and brome steady. Movement active. Horse alfalfa: $100-$120; supreme dairy: $105-$140; premium: $95-$105; good: $85-$100. Utility/fair grinding alfalfa, in the field: $55-$65, ground on truck: $65-$80. Good bluestem grass, in small squares: $60-$70, in large rounds: $40-$50. Mulch, in small squares: $2.75/bale. Premium brome, in small squares: $80-$90; fair/good, in small squares: $65-$75, in medium and large squares: $50-$65, in large rounds: $40-$55. Straw, in small squares: $2.50/bale, in large squares: $40-$55.

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

Date: 2/21/06