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Alfalfa yield improves slightly year-over-year

USDA is projecting a larger alfalfa crop in 2026, while expecting production of other types of hay to decline.

Alfalfa and mixtures production is pegged at 50.562 million tons, 6% larger than the August estimate and 1% more than 2025, thanks to slightly higher acreage and a modest rise in average yield, at 14.685 million acres and 3.44 tons per acre, respectively. In 2025, alfalfa and mixtures production was 50.213 million tons with an average yield of 3.42 tons per acre on harvested area of 14.676 million acres.

Yields do vary widely, partially due to the impact of drought in parts of the central and southern U.S. Plains and other weather issues.

Weather was a factor for other types of hay as well.

The USDA has production for all other types of hay at 69.965 million tons, rising 7% from the last guess as timely rainfall did boost production in some areas, but still falling 4% from last year due to lower yields canceling out higher acreage, with the USDA projecting yield at 1.99 tons per acre on harvested area of 35.102 million tons. Last year, production for all other types of hay was 72.818 million tons with an average yield of 2.09 tons per acre on harvested area of 34.881 million acres.

The USDA’s final 2026 alfalfa and hay production numbers are out in January.

Comparisons for Brownfield states:

Arkansas: All Other Hay: 2.8 million tons, compared to 2.921 million in 2025; Average Yield: 2 tons per acre, compared to 2.3 a year ago; Harvested Area: 1.4 million acres, compared to 1.27 million last year

Illinois: Alfalfa and Mixtures: 1.05 million tons, compared to 967,000 in 2025; Average Yield: 4.2 tons per acre, compared to 3.65 a year ago; Harvested Area: 250,000 acres, compared to 265,000 last year

All Other Hay: RECORD LOW 368,000 tons, compared to 490,000 in 2025; Average Yield: 2.1 tons per acre, compared to 2.65 a year ago; Harvested Area: 175,000 acres, compared to 185,000 last year

Indiana: Alfalfa and Mixtures: 924,000 tons, compared to 891,000 in 2025; Average Yield: 3.3 tons per acre, unchanged from a year ago; Harvested Area: 280,000 acres, compared to 270,000 last year

All Other Hay: 598,000 tons, compared to 672,000 in 2025; Average Yield: 2.3 tons per acre, compared to 2.4 a year ago; Harvested Area: 260,000 acres, compared to 280,000 last year

Iowa: Alfalfa and Mixtures: 3.354 million tons, compared to 3.024 million in 2025; Average Yield: RECORD 4.3 tons per acre, compared to 4.2 a year ago; Harvested Area: 780,000 acres, compared to 720,000 last year

All Other Hay: 672,000 tons, compared to 667,000 in 2025; Average Yield: 2.4 tons per acre, compared to 2.3 a year ago; Harvested Area: 280,000 acres, compared to 290,000 last year

Kansas: Alfalfa and Mixtures: 1.813 million tons, compared to 1.764 million in 2025; Average Yield: 3.7 tons per acre, compared to 3.6 a year ago; Harvested Area: 490,000 acres, steady with last year

All Other Hay: 2.88 million tons, compared to 4.298 million in 2025; Average Yield: 1.6 tons per acre, compared to 2.25 a year ago; Harvested Area: 1.8 million acres, compared to 1.91 million last year

Kentucky: Alfalfa and Mixtures: 330,000 tons, compared to 285,000 in 2025; Average Yield: 3.3 tons per acre, compared to 3 a year ago; Harvested Area: 100,000 acres, compared to 95,000 last year

All Other Hay: 4.945 million tons, compared to 5.06 million in 2025; Average Yield: 2.3 tons per acre, unchanged from a year ago; Harvested Area: 2.15 million acres, compared to 2.2 million last year

Michigan: Alfalfa and Mixtures: 1.984 million tons, compared to 1.705 million in 2025; Average Yield: 3.2 tons per acre, compared to 3.1 a year ago; Harvested Area: 620,000 acres, compared to 550,000 last year

All Other Hay: 425,000 tons, compared to 441,000 in 2025; Average Yield: 1.7 tons per acre, compared to 2.1 a year ago; Harvested Area: 250,000 acres, compared to 210,000 last year

Minnesota: Alfalfa and Mixtures: 2.446 million tons, compared to 2.85 million in 2026; Average Yield: 3.35 tons per acre, compared to 3.75 a year ago; Harvested Area: 730,000 acres, compared to 760,000 last year

All Other Hay: 1 million tons, compared to 1.43 million in 2025; Average Yield: 2 tons per acre, compared to 2.75 a year ago; Harvested Area: 500,000 acres, compared to 520,000 last year

Missouri: Alfalfa and Mixtures: 715,000 tons, compared to 670,000 in 2025; Average Yield: 2.6 tons per acre, compared to 2.35 a year ago; Harvested Area: 275,000 acres, compared to 285,000 last year

All Other Hay: 4.824 million tons, compared to 5.4 million in 2025; Average Yield: 1.8 tons per acre, compared to 2 a year ago; Harvested Area: 2.68 million acres, compared to 2.7 million last year

Nebraska: Alfalfa and Mixtures: 2.853 million tons, compared to 3.201 million in 2025; Average Yield: 3.5 tons per acre, compared to 3.7 a year ago; Harvested Area: 815,000 acres, compared to 865,000 last year

All Other Hay: 2.38 million tons, compared to 2.368 million in 2025; Average Yield: 1.7 tons per acre, compared to 1.65 a year ago; Harvested Area: 1.4 million acres, compared to 1.435 million last year

Ohio: Alfalfa and Mixtures: 1.044 million tons, compared to 1.12 million in 2025; Average Yield: 3.6 tons per acre, compared to 3.5 a year ago; Harvested Area: 290,000 acres, compared to 320,000 last year

All Other Hay: 1.058 million tons, compared to 1.3 million in 2025; Average Yield: 2.3 tons per acre, compared to 2.6 a year ago; Harvested Area: 460,000 acres, compared to 500,000 last year

South Dakota: Alfalfa and Mixtures: 2.94 million tons, compared to 3.576 million in 2025; Average Yield: 2.1 tons per acre, compared to 2.4 a year ago; Harvested Area: 1.4 million acres, compared to 1.49 million last year

All Other Hay: 1.43 million tons, compared to 2.128 million in 2025; Average Yield: 1.3 tons per acre, compared to 1.85 a year ago; Harvested Area: 1.1 million acres, compared to 1.15 million last year

Tennessee: All Other Hay: 3.795 million tons, compared to 3.57 million in 2025; Average Yield: 2.3 tons per acre, compared to 2.1 a year ago; Harvested Area: 1.65 million acres, compared to 1.7 million last year

Wisconsin: Alfalfa and Mixtures: 3.198 million tons, compared to 2.769 million in 2025; Average Yield: RECORD 3.9 tons per acre, unchanged from a year ago; Harvested Area: 820,000 acres, compared to 710,000 last year

All Other Hay: 720,000 tons, compared to 704,000 in 2025; Average Yield: 1.8 tons per acre, compared to 1.6 a year ago; Harvested Area: 400,000 acres, compared to 440,000 last year