NEVADA
Good demand lifts confirmed volume
Movement remained steady while good demand across hay types and several larger transactions increased confirmed volume.
What changed
USDA reported 4,950 confirmed hay tons, up from 1,250, and 4,150 hay bales, up from 1,062. These figures represent confirmed trades only, not bids, offers, total production, or a statewide price index.
Demand and reported transactions
USDA said some California dairies were buying large alfalfa lots and that small-bale demand from stables remained good statewide. Reported trades included Supreme eastern Nevada alfalfa at $210 per ton FOB to a dairy, Premium eastern alfalfa at $230 FOB to farm and ranch buyers, Good central alfalfa at $220, and Premium timothy at $17 per three-tie bale to stables.
Premium three-tie alfalfa traded at $16 per bale, Premium bundled timothy at $400 per ton, Premium three-way forage mix at $190 per ton, and Good northern Nevada alfalfa at $200. Each trade has its own grade, package, destination, and terms.
Drought signal
The report placed 96% of Nevada in moderate drought or worse, 59% in severe drought or worse, and 7% in extreme drought or worse.
GB Hay interpretation
The stronger volume and broader demand are constructive, but several large lots can move a bi-weekly total sharply. Sellers should keep dairy, stable, and farm/ranch channels separate and price each lot to quality and freight. Watch whether California dairy buying repeats before treating this as a durable trend. This is an interpretation, not a USDA forecast.
Source: USDA Nevada Direct Hay Report, October 1, 2026. GB Hay commentary is AI-assisted. Confirm grade, bale weight, terms, freight, and live bids before transacting.