Kansas Hay Prices Rise as Tight Supplies Test Feedlots

Southwest Kansas feedlots paid an average of $220.22 a ton for ground and delivered alfalfa on Oct. 1, while the Kansas Department of Agriculture-USDA Market News Service reported Nov. 7 that prices were rising in some areas amid tight supplies before the first freeze.

Across the state's reporting regions, demand ranged from moderate to moderate-to-good, and trade activity ranged from slow to moderate. Demand for alfalfa pellets remained strong, but supplies stayed limited.

Why are hay supplies tight?

Producers face increasing harvest pressure as they work to complete field activities before the first freeze. Some feedlots are adjusting rations by incorporating failed corn and milo to reduce alfalfa usage amid elevated prices.

The service warned: "Prices below reflect the average price. There could be prices higher and lower prices than those published." Weekly trade totals cover Nov. 1-7, while reported feedlot price comparisons are dated Oct. 1 and usage figures compare with the previous month.

The report does not explain sample sizes, so its regional averages need checking against individual sales.

The data show tight supply, not a guaranteed price for every producer.

What do southern Kansas buyers pay?

• Southwest: Demand was moderate to good and trade slow to moderate. Alfalfa and grass hay were steady; ground and delivered alfalfa rose $10.
• Alfalfa: Dairy-quality hay was $1.20-$1.30 per point of RFV, horse hay small squares $15 a bale and good stock-cow hay $285-$295 delivered. Fair-to-good grinding alfalfa in large rounds or 3-by-4 large squares was $245-$255; ground and delivered locally for feedlots and dairies was $280-$290.
• Sun-cured 15% and 17% protein pellets were $280-$290. Bluestem in 3-by-4 large squares was $115-$125; no brome prices were reported. Corn stalk large rounds were $115-$125, teff $235-$245 in large rounds and $10 in small squares, and wheat straw small squares $6 a bale.
• Nov. 1-7 trades covered 5,555 tons of grinding alfalfa, 25 tons of dairy alfalfa and 73 tons of grass hay. Feedlots paid $220.22 a ton for ground and delivered alfalfa on Oct. 1, down $5.72. Their reported usage was 321 tons a day, down 27% from the previous month, with 9,948 tons in total.

Southwest delivered alfalfa cost more, while reported October use fell.

• South central: Demand was moderate to good and trade slow to moderate; alfalfa and brome hay were steady. Dairy alfalfa was $1.20-$1.25 per point of RFV. Small-square horse hay was $18-$20 a bale, 3-by-3 medium squares $195-$205 and good stock-cow hay $225-$235.
• Fair-to-good grinding alfalfa in large rounds or 3-by-4 large squares was $235-$245; ground and delivered was $260-$270. Sun-cured 15% protein pellets were $310-$320 and 17% dehydrated pellets $355 delivered.
• Bluestem large rounds were $120-$130. Brome was $135-$145 in large rounds, $175-$185 in 3-by-4 large squares, $245-$255 in 3-by-3 medium squares and $14 in small squares. Prairie/meadow grass and corn stalk large rounds were $120-$130; wheat straw small squares were $6.
• Nov. 1-7 trades covered 7,400 tons of grinding alfalfa, 150 tons of dairy alfalfa and 559 tons of grass hay. Feedlots paid $201.42 a ton for ground and delivered alfalfa on Oct. 1, down $2.64. Their reported usage was 86 tons a day, up 67% from the previous month, with 2,578 tons in total.

South central feedlots used more alfalfa even as their delivered price edged lower.

What do eastern and northern buyers pay?

• Southeast: Demand was moderate to good and trade slow to moderate. Dairy alfalfa and grass hay were steady; grinding alfalfa rose $10. Dairy alfalfa was $1.20-$1.30 per point of RFV, horse hay small squares $15 and fair-to-good grinding alfalfa in 3-by-4 large squares $230-$240.
• Bluestem was $95-$105 in large rounds, $125-$135 in 3-by-4 large squares and $7-$8 in small squares. Brome in 3-by-4 large squares was $185-$195. Wheat straw was $70-$80 in rounds and $6 in small squares. Nov. 1-7 trades covered 1,752 tons of grass hay, 225 tons of grinding alfalfa and 50 tons of dairy alfalfa.
• Northwest: Demand was moderate to good and trade slow. Dairy alfalfa was $1.20-$1.30 per point of RFV. Premium/Supreme 3-by-3 medium squares were $300-$310 delivered, small squares $12 delivered, and fair-to-good grinding alfalfa in 3-by-4 large squares $205-$215.
• North central/northeast: Demand was moderate and trade slow to moderate. Alfalfa and grass hay were steady; ground and delivered alfalfa rose $10. Dairy alfalfa was $1.20-$1.30 per point of RFV, horse hay small squares $15, and fair-to-good grinding alfalfa $180-$190 in large rounds and $220-$230 in 3-by-4 large squares. Ground and delivered alfalfa was $195-$205.
• Bluestem was $90-$100 in large rounds, $115-$125 in 3-by-4 large squares and $8 in small squares. Brome was $145-$155 in large rounds, $180-$190 in 3-by-4 large squares and $10 in small squares. Sudan large rounds were $75-$85.
• Wheat straw was $65-$75 in rounds, $115-$125 in 3-by-4 large squares and $7 in small squares. Nov. 1-7 trades covered 399 tons of grinding alfalfa, 430 tons of dairy alfalfa and 1,088 tons of grass hay.

The listings show why a single Kansas price would mislead: products and regions differ, and some regions have more data than others.

Producers still face harvest pressure before the first freeze. The next report will test whether feedlot ration changes ease alfalfa demand or tighten the market further; USDA's Agricultural Marketing Service posts the full hay reports online.