Yield (all hay)5.40 tons/acre (2025)5-yr median 5.15 +4.9%
Yield (alfalfa)6.80 tons/acre (2025)5-yr median 7.20 -5.6%
Yield (grass)3.60 tons/acre (2025)5-yr median 3.30 +9.1%
Acres harvested860K acres (2026)5-yr median 830K +3.6%
Production4.42M tons (2025)5-yr median 4.63M -4.5%
On-farm stocks (May 1)340K tons (2026)5-yr median 280K +21.4%
On-farm stocks (Dec 1)1.60M tons (2025)5-yr median 1.40M +14.3%
NASS does not publish weekly hay crop condition for California.
ALFALFA
| Market | State | Grade | Bale | Median price | Range | Reports |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| California Direct Hay Report | CA | Fair | Large Square 3x4 | $150/ton | $150–$150/ton | 1 |
| California Direct Hay Report | CA | Fair – Good | Large Square 3x4 | $165/ton | $165–$165/ton | 1 |
| California Direct Hay Report | CA | Good | Large Square 3x4 | $183/ton | $183–$183/ton | 1 |
| California Direct Hay Report | CA | Good – Premium | Large Square 3x4 | $205/ton | $205–$205/ton | 1 |
| California Direct Hay Report | CA | Premium | Large Square 3x4 | $212/ton | $212–$212/ton | 1 |
| California Direct Hay Report | CA | Premium | Small Square 3-tie | $12/bale | $12–$12/bale | 1 |
| California Direct Hay Report | CA | Premium – Supreme | Large Square 3x4 | $195/ton | $195–$195/ton | 1 |
| California Direct Hay Report | CA | Supreme | Large Square 3x4 | $240/ton | $240–$240/ton | 1 |
| California Direct Hay Report | CA | Utility – Fair | Large Square 3x4 | $148/ton | $148–$148/ton | 1 |
ALFALFA-GRASS MIX
| Market | State | Grade | Bale | Median price | Range | Reports |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| California Direct Hay Report | CA | Premium | Small Square 3-tie | $14/bale | $14–$14/bale | 1 |
COOL-SEASON GRASS
| Market | State | Grade | Bale | Median price | Range | Reports |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| California Direct Hay Report | CA | Good | Small Square 3-tie | $14/bale | $14–$14/bale | 1 |
| California Direct Hay Report | CA | Premium | Small Square 3-tie | $14/bale | $14–$14/bale | 2 |
WARM-SEASON GRASS
| Market | State | Grade | Bale | Median price | Range | Reports |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| California Direct Hay Report | CA | Premium | Small Square 3-tie | $240/ton | $240–$240/ton | 1 |
MIXED/OTHER
| Market | State | Grade | Bale | Median price | Range | Reports |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| California Direct Hay Report | CA | Fair – Good | Large Square 3x4 | $80/ton | $80–$80/ton | 1 |
| California Direct Hay Report | CA | Premium | Small Square 3-tie | $11/bale | $11–$11/bale | 1 |
NATIVE PRAIRIE
| Market | State | Grade | Bale | Median price | Range | Reports |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| California Direct Hay Report | CA | Good | Small Square 3-tie | $9/bale | $9–$9/bale | 1 |
| California Direct Hay Report | CA | Premium | Large Square 3x4 | $170/ton | $170–$170/ton | 1 |
| California Direct Hay Report | CA | Premium | Small Square 3-tie | $12/bale | $12–$12/bale | 1 |
SMALL-GRAIN HAY
| Market | State | Grade | Bale | Median price | Range | Reports |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| California Direct Hay Report | CA | Fair – Good | Large Square 3x4 | $91/ton | $80–$102/ton | 2 |
| California Direct Hay Report | CA | Good | Large Square 3x4 | $150/ton | $150–$150/ton | 1 |
| California Direct Hay Report | CA | Good | Small Square 3-tie | $10/bale | $10–$10/bale | 1 |