California Hay Prices
California hay is averaging $181/ton across 70 exact USDA auction trades over the 60 days to the latest report (Oct 19, 2026). Prices range $90–$353/ton depending on commodity and quality.
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California hay prices by type
| Commodity | Quality | Low $/ton | High $/ton | Avg $/ton | Obs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alfalfa | Good | $175 | $250 | $202 | 13 |
| Alfalfa | Supreme | $210 | $353 | $284 | 12 |
| Alfalfa | Fair | $153 | $240 | $181 | 10 |
| Alfalfa | Premium | $200 | $330 | $246 | 9 |
| Alfalfa | Fair/Good | $180 | $205 | $188 | 4 |
| Alfalfa | Premium/Supreme | $260 | $353 | $286 | 4 |
| Bermuda Grass | Good | $130 | $165 | $146 | 4 |
| Alfalfa | Good/Premium | $220 | $220 | $220 | 2 |
| Alfalfa | Utility/Fair | $180 | $191 | $186 | 2 |
| Forage Mix-Three Way | Good | $160 | $200 | $180 | 2 |
| Alfalfa/Grass Mix | Fair | $210 | $210 | $210 | 1 |
| Alfalfa/Grass Mix | Good | $175 | $175 | $175 | 1 |
| Alfalfa/Orchard Mix | Utility/Fair | $140 | $140 | $140 | 1 |
| Bermuda Grass | Fair | $150 | $150 | $150 | 1 |
| Klein Grass | Fair/Good | $123 | $123 | $123 | 1 |
| Sudan | Good | $90 | $90 | $90 | 1 |
| Sudan | Premium | $150 | $150 | $150 | 1 |
| Sudan | Utility/Fair | $100 | $100 | $100 | 1 |
California hay price trend
Weekly average $/ton by hay type, exact USDA auction trades, last 26 weeks. Each point is a week that type reported.
- Alfalfa (Premium)
- Alfalfa (Supreme)
- Alfalfa (Good)
California hay prices by region and auction
| Region / Auction | Low $/ton | High $/ton | Avg $/ton | Obs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| California — Southeast | $90 | $220 | $171 | 25 |
| California — North Inter-Mountains | $180 | $260 | $220 | 17 |
| California — North San Joaquin Valley | $180 | $340 | $255 | 16 |
| California — Central San Joaquin Valley | $160 | $353 | $285 | 6 |
| California — Sacramento Valley | $100 | $230 | $175 | 6 |
Nearby markets reporting now
States bordering California with exact trades in recent reports.
Every state HayWire tracks: hay prices by state. Buying by the bale: hay prices per bale. Reading the table: what the hay grades mean.
What California readers paid
Reported to HayWire directly, outside the USDA index. Not verified trades; the private market USDA does not publish.
- Lake County, CA — Alfalfa: $17/bale (3-wire small square (~100.0lb)) · reader-reported, Aug 18, 2026
- CA — 3-Way Mix: $230/ton · reader-reported, Aug 5, 2026
- CA — Alfalfa/Grass Mix: $165/ton · reader-reported, Jul 25, 2026
- CA — Alfalfa: $300-325/ton · reader-reported, Jul 25, 2026
- CA — Alfalfa: $185/ton · reader-reported, Jul 25, 2026
- CA — Alfalfa: $200/ton · reader-reported, Jul 25, 2026
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FAQ
How much does hay cost per ton in California right now?
California Alfalfa (Good) is averaging $202/ton in the latest USDA auction reports, with prices ranging $175–$250/ton.
How often are California hay prices updated?
HayWire publishes California hay prices every week using USDA Agricultural Marketing Service auction reports. Data refreshes Mondays.
Where can I buy hay in California?
Check the California USDA auction averages and price trend on this page before you buy, so you know what a fair price is and can benchmark any seller's quote against the live market.