Alternative Feed Costs Drive Down Kansas Hay Prices

Hay prices have declined in south-central Kansas, following falling prices for feed alternatives such as soybean meal, cornstalks and distillers grains, believes Roger Black, an Arkansas City grower with about 600 acres of alfalfa and prairie hay.

Black estimates current prices for 200-RFV alfalfa in large square bales at about $250/ton. That’s about $30-50/ton less than where prices were last year at this time. Large squares that test at 175 RFV sell for $218/ton – $32-82/ton less than they went for last October.

But hay prices could change as commodity prices increase in the days to come, Black says. Soybean meal jumped by $50/ton in the past week or so, he notes.

“I think that makes alfalfa hay a lot better buy. I haven’t seen that playing in the market yet, but I can’t help but believe that it’s going to happen on the better-end hay. I think we’re in the process of sorting out where these hay prices need to be in relation to alternatives.”

Many growers put up some rain-damaged hay throughout the season, he says.

“My perception is that we do not have any more than an adequate supply of good-quality hay; we certainly don’t have burdensome supplies.”