New Alfalfa Budget Helps Farmers Plan Costs and Profits for 2026

By Andi Anderson

Enterprise budgets are important tools for farmers because they help estimate the typical costs, expected revenue, and potential profits for different crops. These budgets give a clear picture of what farmers might spend and earn in a growing season.

A newly updated spring‑planted alfalfa enterprise budget for 2026 has recently been released by the writing team at the OSU Farm Office. The recent new spring-planted alfalfa budget for 2026 can be viewed here- https://u.osu.edu/beef/2026/02/18/new-alfalfa-enterprise-budget-2/.

This updated version is available on their website as a downloadable Excel file, allowing farmers to review details easily and adjust them based on their own operations.

The 2026 update includes several important changes. First, there are revised chemical program assumptions, reflecting current recommendations and updated pricing. Second, the nutrient management section has been refreshed with more accurate information about fertilizer needs and application expectations.

Prices for all major inputs—such as seed, chemicals, labor, and machinery—have been updated to match current market conditions. These changes help ensure that the budget reflects realistic and modern costs for alfalfa production.

While many updates were made, some aspects of the budget remain the same. The expected yield ranges have not changed, giving farmers a consistent reference point for estimating production.

The overall layout and structure of the budget also remain familiar. For those who want to compare changes over time, the 2022 alfalfa budget is still available on the OSU Farm Office website.

Each budget includes detailed footnotes that explain the assumptions and calculation methods used to create the estimates. These notes help farmers understand where numbers come from and how values are determined.

Because alfalfa production can vary widely depending on weather, soil type, management style, and equipment, the Excel format allows farmers to substitute their own values.

Customizing the budget can help them plan for best‑case and worst‑case financial scenarios on their farm.

The new 2026 alfalfa enterprise budget offers practical guidance for farmers who want to evaluate costs, improve planning, and understand the financial side of alfalfa production more clearly. For farmers looking to make informed decisions, this updated resource provides a helpful and flexible tool.

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