Tight Kansas Hay Supply Raises Delivered Feed Costs
Livestock and dairy operators buying hay in Kansas should expect higher delivered prices as fuel costs and weather slow movement.
Updated on Nov. 5, 2026 in Agriculture
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Kansas hay supply stayed tight and movement slowed in the week ending November 1, 2026, as weather and elevated fuel costs made hauling more expensive. Operators in the state's livestock and dairy sectors face higher delivered costs for feed.
Why it matters
Slower movement and costlier transportation squeeze the margin between what hay costs and what it costs to get it to the farm. Fuel costs in particular raise the delivered price of every ton, which matters most to operations that buy rather than grow their forage.
Southwest Kansas dairy alfalfa sold for $1.20-$1.30 per point RFV, while Northwest premium alfalfa brought $300-$310 delivered. South central prairie hay prices were $10 lower than the prior week, and Southeast small square horse hay sold for $15 per bale.
The players
USDA Agricultural Marketing Service
The federal agency that publishes market news reports on agricultural commodities, including the hay market reports used to track regional prices and volumes.
Kansas Department of Agriculture
The state agency that co-produces the weekly hay market report and oversees agricultural regulation and marketing programs for Kansas producers.
The details
Fifth- and sixth-cutting alfalfa was baled before formal testing, and early reports point to very good quality. Hay movement slowed because of weather conditions, and elevated fuel costs made transporting hay across the state increasingly expensive. Operators buying hay for delivery bear both the purchase price and the added freight cost.
Timeline
Oct. 18-24, 2026: Southeast Kansas hay sales totaled 2,130 tons.
Oct. 25-Nov. 1, 2026: Statewide hay sales were reported across all Kansas regions.
November 1, 2026: The Kansas Department of Agriculture-USDA market report was issued.
Market Landscape
The weekly USDA hay market reports track regional alfalfa and grass hay prices and volumes across Kansas, giving operators a running benchmark. This week's tight supply and slower movement show up in those same series as a shift from routine trading.
Livestock and dairy operators buying hay should budget for higher delivered costs while supply stays tight and fuel prices remain elevated. Compare delivered prices against purchase prices, since freight now takes a larger share of the total.
The takeaway
Track delivered hay prices against fuel costs, because freight is now a larger share of feed expense. Check the USDA hay reports weekly to see whether tight supply persists into the next cutting.
Further reading
For broader context on crop and livestock markets, see Agriculture coverage on We are Main Street.
More information
Review the weekly USDA market news hay reports for current regional prices and volumes.
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