WESTERN MARKET UPDATE
Retail supply tightens in California as Oregon volume rises
The October 9 reports point to active retail demand in California and more confirmed trading in Oregon, even as freight and rain damage complicate movement.
What changed
California confirmed 7,300 hay tons, down from 25,550, while reported bale volume rose to 68,683 from 44,544. Oregon confirmed 4,995 tons, up from 1,195, and 6,144 bales, up from 1,024. Confirmed-trade volume reflects reported transactions, not total production or a statewide price index.
California: retail alfalfa strengthens as supply tightens
USDA described trade activity and demand as good for both retail and dairy hay. In Southeast California, Retail #1 three-tie alfalfa sold $35–$40 per ton higher than two weeks earlier, with growers attributing the increase to tightening supply. Reported Southeast Premium retail alfalfa trades ranged from $240 to $300 per ton FOB, depending on lot and crop age.
North Intermountain Premium/Supreme large-square alfalfa traded at $240–$260 per ton FOB under varying dairy, retail, and contract terms. Premium/Supreme retail alfalfa traded at $15–$16 per three-tie bale, while a covered Premium contract traded at $13. These are individual transactions, not statewide quotes.
Oregon: volume rises, but movement remains constrained
USDA described demand as good across all hay qualities, yet said movement decreased because of fuel prices and buyers being stocked for the time being. The report also noted substantial third-crop rain damage in the windrow and bale.
Lake County Supreme large-square alfalfa traded at $255 per ton FOB to a dairy, while rain-damaged Good alfalfa traded at $200. Northeast Supreme alfalfa traded at $245 delivered for export. In the Klamath Basin, Premium orchardgrass traded at $17 per three-tie bale and organic Good alfalfa at $270 per ton FOB.
Other regions retain their latest valid reports
No newer Idaho or Nevada USDA report was available when this brief was prepared. Both remain dated October 1; their existing summaries remain in place rather than being restated as current-week observations.
What to watch next
- California retail supply: Whether the reported Southeast price increase persists into the next release.
- Bale activity: Whether California’s higher reported bale volume continues while tonnage remains lower.
- Oregon movement: Whether stocked buyers and high fuel costs keep slowing transactions despite good demand.
- Quality spreads: How rain damage widens discounts between clean and affected lots.
- Next release: California’s next report is scheduled for October 23.
Manager’s bottom line
Retail demand is providing support in parts of California, but the evidence is regional and transaction-specific. Oregon’s higher confirmed volume is constructive, though freight, stocked buyers, and rain damage can still limit movement. Sellers should document quality and terms clearly; buyers should compare delivered cost and feed value rather than headline prices alone.
New sources: USDA California Direct Hay Report, October 9, 2026; USDA Oregon Direct Hay Report, October 9, 2026. Retained sources: Idaho, October 1; Nevada, October 1. GB Hay commentary is AI-assisted. Confirm grade, bale weight, terms, freight, and live bids before transacting.