CALIFORNIA
Retail alfalfa strengthens as supply tightens
Reported bale activity increased even as confirmed tonnage declined, with the clearest strength in Southeast retail alfalfa.
What changed
USDA reported 7,300 confirmed hay tons, down from 25,550 in the prior report. Reported hay bale volume rose to 68,683 from 44,544. These figures represent confirmed trades only, not bids, offers, total production, or a statewide price index.
Demand and supply
USDA described trade activity and demand as good for retail and dairy hay. Southeast California Retail #1 three-tie alfalfa sold $35–$40 per ton higher than two weeks earlier. Growers attributed the increase to tightening supply.
Reported transactions
- Southeast: Premium three-tie retail alfalfa traded from $240 to $300 per ton FOB across different lots and crop ages; Good alfalfa trades ranged from $235 to $265.
- North Intermountain: Premium/Supreme large-square alfalfa traded at $240–$260 per ton FOB under varying dairy, retail, and contract terms.
- North Intermountain retail bales: Premium/Supreme three-tie alfalfa traded at $15–$16 per bale; a covered Premium contract traded at $13.
- Central San Joaquin Valley: Premium/Supreme large-square alfalfa traded at $270 per ton FOB to a dairy and $353 delivered.
Each transaction has its own grade, package, crop age, destination, and freight terms. None should be treated as a statewide quote.
Drought signal
The report placed 23.26% of California in moderate drought, 48.86% in abnormally dry conditions, and 27.88% with no drought classification for the week of October 6.
GB Hay interpretation
The combination of lower confirmed tonnage, higher bale volume, and stronger Southeast retail pricing suggests that small-bale and retail channels were carrying more of the visible activity. It does not show that every California hay segment moved higher. Sellers should separate retail and dairy channels in pricing; buyers should compare quality, package, and delivered terms before using any reported trade as a benchmark. This is an interpretation, not a USDA forecast.
Source: USDA California Direct Hay Report, October 9, 2026. GB Hay commentary is AI-assisted. Confirm grade, bale weight, terms, freight, and live bids before transacting.