Grain – Hay Report – 27 June 2014

International & National Summary – Grain:

International Markets

• The rapid decline of international futures showed the first sign of slowing since the beginning of May, remaining relatively flat for the past week. CBOT July wheat futures closed at A$226/t on Tuesday night down A$1-2/t. Whilst virtually unchanged from last week, values remain at the lowest levels we have seen this year. The price fall of CBOT wheat to the tune of almost $60/t since May has been a welcome reprieve for end users and consumers and these values are expected to continue into the harvest period.
• This time of year is traditionally a period where we see pressure on prices as supply hits the market from the northern hemisphere harvest. With the information available today there is a possibility of further pressure on prices leading into the Australian harvest. Global stocks look set to increase by the end of the year and without any major production threats or an injection of bullish news it is difficult to see a cause for a global price rally. It is however imperative to remember that there are still a number of unknowns that are capable of changing market direction. As seen in the northeast regions of Australia this year local conditions can cause domestic values to separate from international values.
• Australian grain values may continue to track above prices in other origins with the strong export demand on our doorstep through South East Asia however global wheat values are always going to have an underlying effect on local values.

Domestic Markets

• In the north of Australia wheat dropped further this week following international values downward. With feed consumption for wheat traditionally low this time of year domestic demand is minimal. Strong cattle numbers on feed have seen barley resist the downward pressure being experienced in wheat. Prices came of marginally but were minimal compared the falls seen in wheat. Reports remain of shipments containing white grain arriving from vessel imports out Victoria and South Australia.
• In southern markets old crop values slid further this week on the back of further bearish news on the international market. Solid rains for grain growers saw many looking to offload remaining old crop stocks pushing prices further down. Export demand has significantly reduced with shipping cancellations leading to further grain entering the domestic supply chain. This may present opportunities to buy grain from the trade that is no longer bound for export.

National Summary – Hay:

• There has been very little change in the hay market this week, with trading remaining slow and prices unchanged in most regions.
• A combination of good feed supplies on farm, warmer than average temperatures and low cattle prices, affecting different regions, means buyers are trying to hold off from purchasing hay if possible.
• Traditionally some excess hay might come on to the market before the end of financial year, however it seems most traders are happy to hold onto their fodder this year in anticipation of a dry finish to the season.
• Across the country high grade hay is becoming difficult to source. Most high grade hay in storage is already under contract.
• Lucerne hay is in tight supply generally across Australia.

Northern Australia:

• Demand has slowed but remains steady. This is not expected to change until temperatures cool down.
• Supplies of hay in Queensland and NSW are generally low. Cereal hay can be sourced from SA and Victoria but lucerne hay supplies are short in most regions.
• Some low grade fodder is still being baled. This includes; sorghum stubble, rhodes grass hay and some silage. Feedlots are active buyers.
• If the dry weather continues new season hay may start to come on the market as early as august, from growers opting to bale failed grain crops.

Southern Australia:

• Trading in southern regions is slow; however this week’s cold snap may lead to an increased interest in fodder locally, particularly cereal hay.
• Cereal hay supplies are good in Victoria. Some hay is still moving north to meet the demand in Northern NSW and QLD. If this demand strengthens, supplies in the south may come under pressure later in the year.
• Prices have remained fairly steady this week due to the lack of trading.

Western Australia:

• The good start to the season has continued with growers reporting a good start to the season.
• The market for small squares of pasture hay is particularly tight this year. Supplies are very low.
• Straw supplies are above average and quality is good.

This report has been commissioned by Dairy Australia to provide an independent and timely assessment of grain and hay markets in each dairying region. It should be remembered that actual prices might vary for quality or other reasons. All prices are quoted are exclusive of GST.

The information in this report is collected and disseminated with due care and attention to its accuracy, but Dairy Australia accepts no liability if, for any reason, the information is inaccurate, incomplete or out of date.

• Mareeba June rainfall: 67mm (Ave: 8mm).
• YTD: 542mm (Ave: 726mm), compared to 701mm this time last year.
• No rain on the Atherton tablelands this week. But not really of concern when so much of the winter production of crops depends on irrigation. Stored from summer rains.
• Wheat: $ +5 ($397 to $407). CQ wheat production prospects are slipping, again. There is plenty of time yet, for one or two big rains to turn the situation around, but just now, each week without rain makes old crop stocks more valuable. It is making its own marketplace separate from the slipping world wheat prices.
• Barley: $ +0 ($473 to $483). Position unchanged from last week. The commodity is actively being bid by Southern QLD feedlots and it becomes very expensive when it has to carry an additional road freight cost of $100/t
• Corn prices $ +0 ($340 to $350). Good stocks of corn in far Nth QLD but holders are waiting should the CQ wheat crop begin to fail, before offering uncontracted corn for sale. The CQ crop may yet not fail; however, this outcome would bring the stocks of corn into far more active trade plays.
• Sorghum: $ +8 ($326 to $336). Most of QLD grain areas need rain. They have been getting promising forecasts but the rains haven’t been forthcoming. Hence currently more reliance on old crop sorghum stocks through to Jan 15.
• Some wheat crops were sown in March on an isolated rain or the hope for one. These crops are now about a foot high and starting to head. Very early to do so. These crops without a rain soon are only about a three or four bag per acre prospect.

• Demand for hay has eased following good rainfall across Northern Australia.
• Hay supplies are very low after steady demand throughout the wet season.
• Wet weather and cooler temperatures has slowed both the ongoing hay production and summer crop harvest.
• Ongoing wet weather may impact quality of new season hay produced.
• Rhodes grass: ($280-$300/t) prices remain steady this week.

• Toowoomba June Rainfall: 20mm (Ave: 38mm).
• YTD: 276mm (Ave: 398mm), compared to 846mm last year.
• Very light rains for the last month, when better falls had been forecasted. Each light rain is useful, but on the heavy Downs clays it takes a heavy rain to swell the clays, before then allowing the plant roots to take up excess soil moisture. Weather to be warm and pleasant this week.
• Wheat: $ +3 ($362 to $372). Crops are still growing vigorously on stored moisture from March rains. But this won’t be enough for crops to finish on, or to finish well. So until a significant rain is received, expect wheat prices here to go against the overseas fall and to firm.
• Feed Barley: $ +0 ($359 to $369). Barley price is elevated against international feed grain trend, by strong demand from Downs feedlots.
• Corn $ +0 ($397 to $407). Good corn stocks in many grain districts, but best value for the holders will come if Southern QLD wheat prospects deteriorate further. Very expensive at current levels.
• Sorghum: $ +10 ($302 to $312). Downs stocks of old crop sorghum are now more valued on the back of minimal rains through May/June.

• Demand for fodder remains steady but slow compared to earlier in the year.
• Bulk paddock feed remains limited and demand is expected to pick up as the temperatures cool off.
• Some hay is still being sourced from Victoria and Southern NSW to meet demand however this trade has eased considerably over the past few months.
• Cereal hay: ($350-$400/t). Cereal hay can be sourced from South Australia and Victoria where stocks are good. Prices remain steady this week and will do so until demand picks up.
• Lucerne hay: ($300-$350/t). Lucerne hay supplies are low, with trading limited as a result. Prices remain steady and are unlikely to ease until new season hay becomes available later this year.
• Straw: ($200- $220/t). Stocks are low as most straw was moved earlier in the year. Some sorghum stubble can be sourced now but supplies won’t last long.
• Pasture hay: ($160-$180/t). Small quantities of pasture hay are available. Quality is low.

• Lismore June rainfall total: 21mm (Ave: 115mm).
• YTD: 421mm (Ave: 785mm), compared to 898mm this time last year.
• Well below average rainfall for June to date.
• SFW Wheat: $ +3 ($381 to $391). Looking for more rain through winter to provide some sub-soil moisture for the spring period.
• Feed Barley: $ +0 ($379 to $389). Barley prices are elevated against international feed grain trend, by strong demand from Downs and northern NSW feedlots. Large numbers of cattle on grain with insufficient grass.
• Corn $ +0 ($357 to $367). Good corn stocks in many grain districts, best value for the holders will come from further deteriorating conditions in QLD winter grain prospects. Keep an ear out for further developments.
• Sorghum: $ +10 ($332 to $34342). Try for local sorghum if it is available, stocks are reasonably tight and with drying conditions the value of this crop will increase, despite recent sharp drops.
• This region mainly sources winter grains from the Downs and has the Liverpool Plains as a backup grain supply region.
• It would still be more viable if north coast dairy farmers could grow their own grain or source locally produced feed grain.

• Demand for hay is generally slow. Low cattle prices are seeing buyers hold off from purchasing fodder to manage costs.
• Paddock feed is available not in bulk so demand is likely to increase when temperatures cool off.
• Hay supplies are very low and are expected to come under further pressure as demand picks up later in the year.
• Cereal Hay: ($300-$350/t). Local supplies are low. Cereal hay can be sourced from Victoria and South Australia although movement of hay north from these southern regions has slowed in the past month due to easing demand. Prices remain steady this week.
• Lucerne hay: ($300-$400/t). Lucerne hay is very difficult to source and trading is limited as a result. The quality of lucerne that can be sourced is variable, hence the big variation in pricing.
• Straw: ($200-$250/t). Straw supplies are very low. Buyers seeking fibre to supplement the green pick may need to look for low-grade pasture hay as an alternative to straw.
• Pasture hay: ($200-220/t). Pasture hay is available in small quantities. Quality is low and prices remain steady due to limited trading.

• Forbes June rainfall: 87mm (Ave: 52mm).
• YTD: 401mm (Ave: 229mm), compared to 305mm this time last year.
• Winter crops prospects for central and southern grain areas of NSW are of good to excellent. Crops are more advanced than normal for late June.
• SFW Wheat: $ -5 ($253 to $263). Soil moisture profiles will see this crop develop easily through winter and will need some topping up in early spring for heading. There is almost enough moisture to take crops through to finish even with the potential threat of an El Nino event.
• F1 Barley: $ +0 ($241 to $251). It is currently sitting at around $12/t discount to wheat, well outside the traditional spread of $30-40/t.
• Corn $ +0 ($395 to $405). Currently, corn stocks are being held for future price rises. If grain prosects in northern NSW and QLD continue to deteriorate, they could be a good hold.
• Sorghum $ -6 ($332 to $342). Only works into this region if road freight is negotiable. The discount to wheat is probably worth taking, but heat treatment of sorghum for home mixing may be needed. Better still if any local sorghum can be obtained.
• In some areas wheat crops are only just being seeded, which are faster maturing late sown varieties, a hedging tool for season variability.
• There are concerns that warmer than normal autumn weather, may have encouraged early stooling, with fewer leaders.
• Cool conditions are being welcomed by grain growers, they are hardening up crops, hopefully allowing for more vegetative growth, which, provided moisture availability, will ultimately be transferred to grain as the plant germinates.
• Plenty of local wheat and barley for purchase, the wheat is of consumption quality only.

• Demand locally has been slow due to favourable conditions through autumn and winter.
• There is continued demand for hay from Northern and Western livestock producers still impacted by drought most of this hay is being sourced from Southern Australia.
• Hay supplies are tight right across NSW.
• Prices are unchanged this week due to the slow trading and small quantities of hay not under contract and available for trading.
• Cereal hay: ($280-$300/t). Local cereal hay supplies are very low with trading limited as a result.
• Lucerne hay: +$20 ($330-$360/t). There is particular interest in lower grade lucerne hay from livestock producers on the Northern Coast of NSW. Supplies are tight but some buyers have been able to secure hay in the Central West.
• Straw: ($120-$140/t). Demand is slow at present but may pick up as temperatures cool off.
• Pasture hay: (220-$280/t). There are no reports of pasture hay trading this week due to low supply. There is particularly strong demand for small squares to the pony club market.

• Bega June rainfall total: 113mm (Ave: 55mm).
• YTD: 368mm (Ave: 367mm), compared to 334mm this time last year.
• No rain this week for Bega, but none needed at this stage. Favourable conditions remain.
• SFW Wheat $ -5 ($264 to $274). Wheat down on improving production prospects, and due to the American harvest coming off, increases or falls at this time of year directly attribute to the harvest conditions of Winter Wheat in the US.
• Feed barley $ +0 ($250 to $260). Barley prices are being supported by northern feedlot demand still. Wagga is the preferred delivery region. Discount to wheat dropping recently to around $14/t.
• Triticale $ -5 ($254 to $264). Grain prices have fallen considerably in southern and central NSW, this drop will heavily influence the price movements of triticale.
• Oats: $ -5 ($255 to $265).
• Conditions cooling considerably across the Bega Valley. This is welcomed by many grain farmers as they have had a warmer than usual autumn which, in some instances, has unfavourable progressed crops.

• Demand is increasing but at a very steady rate. Cooler temperatures as winter sets in are causing increased interest in hay.
• There is particular interest in low-grade hay and straw for roughage.
• There is some silage being traded.
• Most hay is being sourced from Victoria. Hay supplies in NSW are very tight.
• Good hay is particularly hard to source at present.
• Cereal hay: Steady ($280-$300/t) Prices remain steady this week. Cereal hay that was not contracted earlier in the season can be sourced from Victoria. Quality varies and feed analysis prior to purchase is highly recommended.
• Lucerne Hay: Steady ($350-$400/t). The market for lucerne hay has also picked up. Prices are firm due to the tight supplies.
• Straw: ($180-$200/t) Demand for straw remains steady and supplies are starting to come under pressure.
• Pasture Hay: ($160-$180/t) Trading is starting to pick up for both hay and silage as farmers own supplies start to run low.

• Tatura June Rainfall total: 68mm (Ave: 44mm)
• YTD: 267mm (Ave: 226mm), compared to 156mm this time last year.
• Rain this week to Wednesday morning, was from 11-18mm across the irrigated northern plains. Plenty for the current needs of crops and pastures both within dairy regions and on the drier country surrounding these areas.
• Wheat: $ -5 ($258 to $268). Wheat prices down again, on the back of excellent local conditions. Bringing the price back to harvest prices. Farmers that may have taken out FWD contracts with grain delivery are currently paying more than farmers that are buying spot today. This is due to the cost of carry.
• F1 Barley: $ +0 ($231 to $241). Discount to wheat is now $27/t.
• Triticale: $ +0 ($255 to $265). The discount to wheat is very marginal and will need to be well below this current value to be of interest.
• Feed Oats: $ +0 ($232 to $242).
• Incoming crop prospects for northern Victoria and the Wimmera are improving. Plenty of old crop wheat and barley being held within this region.

• Demand remains slow with buyers opting to use their own feed before purchasing fodder.
• Conditions are wet and temperatures are cooling off. Demand may pick up in the coming weeks, with particular interest in cereal hay likely.
• Good quality hay of any variety is becoming difficult source.
• Cereal hay: ($180-$220/t). Trading is limited at present. There are still some reports of hay moving north but demand has eased considerably over the past few months. Prices remain steady this week.
• Lucerne hay: ($280-$320/t) Trading is slow due to limited supply. Supplies are low and will remain tight throughout winter.
• Straw: ($90-$110/t) Prices remain unchanged this week. There has been some straw trading over the past few weeks, but supplies could come under pressure later in the year.
• Pasture hay: ($150-$200/t) There are some reports of small quantities of pasture hay moving between farms. This is driven by farmers sourcing low cost fodder and growers trying to shift excess supply of low-grade hay.

• Sale June rainfall: 44mm (Ave: 48mm).
• YTD: 202mm (Ave: 285mm), compared to 331mm this time last year.
• East Gippsland had 5 millimetres and West Gippsland had 7 to 15 mm this week but the soils are still wet from previous rains and rivers are running high.
• SFW Wheat: $ -5 ($292 to $302). Wheat prices are being dragged down by lower bids from exporters and Victoria needing to ship out most of its annual wheat production. Local wheat production greatly exceeds domestic usage. The latest price fall brings the Gippsland delivered price back to where it was at harvest time last December.
• Barley: $ +0 ($273 to $383). Barley prices are steady this week and trading at a discount of $19 a tonne to wheat.
• Triticale: $ +0 ($292 to $302). Triticale is now priced equal to wheat following the falls wheat has seen over the last few weeks. Interest in triticale picks up with colder weather. The main supply of triticale is north eastern Victoria.
• Feed Oats: $ +0 ($250 to $260). The demand for feed oats is low at this time and the price remains steady.

• Demand remains slow due to unseasonably warm temperatures and good availability of paddock feed. Buyers are currently utilising their own feed supplies before purchasing fodder.
• Demand will not pick up until temperatures cool off. If warmer temperatures and intermittent rain continues through winter there may be an unusually low demand for fodder this year.
• Cereal hay: -$20 ($240-$260/t) Prices have been softening in Northern and Western Victoria and therefore delivered prices to Gippsland eased slightly this week. Supplies are good in Northern and Western Victoria..
• Lucerne hay: ($300-$320/t) Supply is low throughout Victoria. Vetch is difficult to source and where it can be found quality is variable.
• Straw: +$60 ($180-$200/t) Some straw is available in Gippsland but quality is variable. Gippsland buyers seeking straw are sourcing it from North Central and Western Victoria. Price rises reported this week represent the freight component of sourcing hay outside the region.
• Pasture hay: ($180-$220/t) Demand is slow due to good supplies on farm locally. There is a small amount of trade between farms.

• Port Fairy June rainfall: 78mm (Ave: 84mm).
• YTD: 345mm (Ave: 308mm), compared to 314mm this time last year.
• The region received 10 to 30 millimetres this week to Wednesday morning. Tuesday was a day of wild weather with westerly winds – very strong – rain and temperatures around 15 degrees. Chill factor kicked in to make it feel much colder.
• SFW1 Wheat: $ -5 ($252 to $262). Wheat prices are down again just as the weather conditions get bleaker. The margin above barley is $25 a tonne within the normal range, albeit at the top end.
• Feed Barley: $ +0 ($227 to $237). Feed barley is plentiful in the local area and trading within the traditional discount range to wheat.
• Triticale $ +0 ($250 to $260). Triticale is currently trading only $2 below wheat. Cold weather should spark some demand. However this may only occur once the discount to wheat comes back to $5 to $7 a tonne.
• Feed oats $ +0 ($236 to $246). Low demand for feed oats at this time, as there is plenty of feed available from other sources.

• Demand for hay is slow. Most buyers are opting to utilise pastures and their own fodder supplies rather than buying in hay.
• This week there is limited trading to report generally for fodder. Prices remained steady after easing last week.
• Cereal hay: ($160-$180/t) There are good stocks of cereal hay still available in North Western Victoria but quality varies.
• Lucerne hay: ($250-$280/t) In general supplies are much lower than usual for this time of year and will be tight through winter.
• Straw: ($110-$120/t) Prices and demand remain steady this week. Some straw is available locally and quality is variable.
• Pasture hay: ($160-$180/t) There are still good supplies of pasture hay available locally but high grade pasture and clover hay is difficult to source.

• Mount Gambier June rainfall: 98mm (Ave: 84mm).
• YTD: 357mm (Ave: 297mm), compared to 230mm this time last year.
• Another good rain across all of South Australia grain areas this week. West coast crops are doing brilliantly with another fall of 13 to 19 millimetres.
• The favourable early growing conditions and early sowings have produced some concerns about risk of frost damage as the flowering stage is brought forward.
• Wheat $ -3 ($285 to $295). Wheat prices continue to fall on the back of aggressive selling out of the Black Sea and the Aussie dollar holding above 94 US cents. Delivered AGP1 wheat prices for Adelaide, Melbourne and Portland are sitting at $248 a tonne.
• Feed barley $ +0 ($258 to $268). Barley prices are steady this week at a discount of $27 a tonne to the cheapest wheat price.
• Triticale $ +0 ($283 to $293). The arrival of cold weather has seen interest in triticale pick up. Currently sitting at a discount of only $2 a tonne to wheat.
• Oats $ +0 ($230 to $240). Prices for feed oats have remained flat due to the little to no demand at this time.

• Trading remains slower than average for this time of year, which is expected to continue until the weather cools off.
• Like Victoria most buyers are opting to use pastures and their own fodder supplies before buying hay.
• High quality hay of most varieties is becoming difficult to source.
• Cereal Hay: ($135 -$145/t). Slow trading has seen a slight drop in price this week.
• Lucerne: ($280 – $300/t) Prices remain steady as trading is slow. Supplies are limited.
• Straw: ($105-$115/t). Straw supplies are low.
• Pasture Hay: ($135-$155/t). There has been limited trading of pasture hay of late. Prices eased last week but remain steady this week.

• Murray Bridge June rainfall: 47mm (Ave: 38mm).
• YTD: 226mm (Ave: 155mm), compared to 182mm this time last year.
• Another good rain across all South Australian grain areas this week. Some reports of localised flooding in crop paddocks. Any negative aspects from this rain will be more than covered by way of improved yields on lighter more elevated soils. Soil moisture is now not a limiting factor for feed production.
• Crops are very much advanced for late June due to the favourable early growing conditions and growers completing sowings early. However, this brings some risk of frost damage as the flowering time is brought forward.
• Cold weather on Monday and Tuesday helped crops harden up and delay switch away from the vegetative leaf growth stage.
• Wheat $ -2 ($251 to $261). Wheat prices are down again following lower world wheat prices, with aggressive selling of wheat out of Black Sea ports. The Australian dollar holding above 94 US cents is also adding to this downward pressure. This is good news for dairy farmers. Adelaide AGP1 is now priced at $248. In January this year it hit a low of $235.
• Feed barley $ +0 ($238 to $248). Barley is trading outside the traditional discount range to wheat; at $13 a tonne below wheat compared to $20 to $25 a tonne.
• Triticale $ +0 ($245 to $255). The current cold snap should spark some more interest in triticale. It is trading at a discount to wheat of $6 a tonne. Farmers may be waiting for further slips in the Adelaide delivered wheat price.
• Feed Oats $ +0 ($183 to $193). Prices remain steady as there is little to no demand for feed oats at this time.

• Demand remains slow this week.
• Demand from northern buyers has slowed in the past few weeks but may pick up again in the coming weeks.
• The majority of the 2014 crop cereal hay crop is in and hay growers are feeling optimistic about coming harvest.
• Cereal Hay: ($150-$200/t). Prices remained steady this week due to minimal trading.
• Lucerne hay: ($300-$330/t). Supplies are low and lucerne is being sourced from outside the region to meet demand.
• Straw: ($120- $130/t). There has been little movement in price over the past month. Supplies are good and demand is slow at present.
• Pasture hay: No reported trading of pasture hay.

• Bunbury June rainfall: 91mm (Ave: 145mm).
• YTD: 337mm (Ave: 310mm), Compared to 279mm this time last year.
• Cold, wet and bleak conditions this week mean winter has really arrived.
• Bunbury received 67 millimetres for the week to Tuesday morning and Busselton received 87 millimetres. Some areas had frosts to start the day on Wednesday following very strong winds on Tuesday.
• Moist soils and warmer than normal late autumn weather has provided the region with good growing conditions. Soil moisture is no longer a limiting factor for growth.
• Wheat $ +0 ($314 to $324). Recent falls in wheat prices have been maintained. Prices are now equal to those in March, and only $5 above harvest prices. Cold conditions should see the demand for wheat increase.
• Barley $ +0 ($285 to $395). Barley prices are remaining steady and keeping the $30 a tonne discount to wheat.
• Triticale $ +0 ($305 to $315). Triticale prices are keeping steady. This is seeing the demand for triticale increase as it is trading at a discount of $10 a tonne to wheat.
• Oats $ +0 ($230 to $240). Oat prices are steady but the demand for feed oats is low due to sufficient short-term feed available through other means. There is some export demand for oats that are heavier than the feed oats priced here.

• Hay trading on the domestic market remains slow. There is some demand for roughage from the dairy sector.
• Good quality hay in small squares is sought after by the horse and hobby farmer markets but is becoming difficult to source.
• Cereal hay: ($160-$200/t). Supplies of cereal hay are good this year. Particularly mid-grade hay is readily available.
• Lucerne hay: ($500-$550/t). There is limited lucerne hay available and therefore limited trading.
• Straw: Steady ($85-$115/t). Prices remain steady.
• Pasture hay: Strong demand for hay earlier in the year is impacting on supply. Supplies are very tight and there was no reported trading of pasture hay this week.

• Smithton June rainfall: 70mm (Ave: 98mm).
• YTD: 353mm (Ave: 363mm), Compared to 253mm this time last year.
• A week of rain, with 20 millimetres to Wednesday morning through the north west coast dairy centres and 23 millimetres for King Island. Water is now not the limiting factor for growth.
• Wheat $ -5 ($345 to $355). Wheat prices are down again with pressure from importing countries receiving bids from would-be Black Sea exporters. Most mainland wheats are of a human consumption category. Discounts may be found in Western District red wheats, but don’t expect more than $3 a tonne or no discount at all.
• Feed barley $ +0 ($325 to $335). Mainland barley prices are steady for the key source areas of Victoria and the Riverina. There is a good supply of old crop and incoming crop conditions are improving.
• Triticale prices $ +0 ($334 to $344). Mainland triticale prices are steady which is keeping island prices for local produce steady.
• Oats prices $ -5 ($317 to $327). There is plenty of feed supply throughout Tasmania, particularly in the north. This is due to the wet spring and continued growth through summer and autumn.

• With good paddock feed available the hay market has been slow coming into winter but is starting to pick up.
• There is particular interest in silage from the dairy and livestock producers. 2013/2014 was a good year for silage production and supplies are good.
• Quality hay is in short supply in particular lucerne hay is hard to source.
• Cereal hay: ($220-$240/t). There are limited reports of trading. Supplies are low and quality is variable.
• Lucerne hay: ($300-$350/t). Demand is steady and supplies are low. Sourcing lucerne hay will be difficult throughout winter.
• Straw: ($140-$160). There is some interest in straw from the dairy industry, generally trading remains steady. Dairy farmers and feedlots are the most active buyers seeking roughage.
• Pasture hay: ($180-$200/t). Demand is now starting to pick up and supplies are good. Quality is variable due to the patchy weather conditions during the hay season.