SOURCE: OCTOBER 23, 2026
Retail alfalfa and stock hay strengthen
USDA reports good retail and dairy demand, with higher prices in selected segments.
Reported facts
USDA reported 7,230 confirmed hay tons and 20,606 hay bales. In the North San Joaquin Valley and Southeast, retail three-tie alfalfa increased $25 per ton; dry-cow and stock hay increased $5. The next release is scheduled for November 6.
Selected transactions
Examples: Southeast Premium three-tie alfalfa, $270–$325 per ton FOB-retail; Central San Joaquin Valley Supreme 3x4 alfalfa, $353 delivered-dairy. Different grades, packages and freight terms are not directly comparable.
GB Hay interpretation
Separate retail demand from bulk dairy requirements when setting asking prices. A higher price in one segment does not establish a statewide increase. Compare net returns after freight, testing and handling. This is commentary, not a USDA forecast.
USDA California report · October 23, 2026 ↗. Confirmed trades are not total market volume. The USDA link is a rolling current report; the summary retains the date stated above.