1. Atherton Tablelands – Hay Commentary
2. Darling Downs – Hay Commentary
3. North Coast NSW – Hay Commentary
4. Central West NSW – Hay Commentary
5. Bega Valley – Hay Commentary
6. Goulburn / Murray Valley – Hay Commentary
8. South West Vic – Hay Commentary
9. South East SA – Hay Commentary
10. Central SA – Hay Commentary
11. South West WA – Hay Commentary
12. North West Tasmania – Hay Commentary
This report has been commissioned by Dairy Australia to provide an independent and timely assessment of hay markets in each dairying region across Australia. It should be remembered that actual prices might vary for quality or other reasons. All prices are quoted ass delivered to the region based on reported hay trading. Prices are exclusive of GST.
National Summary – Hay:
- This week we are hearing clear reports that demand for hay from Queensland and Northern NSW is picking up. Hay from Victoria and South Australia is once again moving north as supplies in NSW are depleted.
- There has been little movement in hay pricing this week but strengthening demand from northern Australia could impact prices in the southern regions over the coming weeks.
- There is an ongoing trend across the country of high grade hay being difficult to source. Most high grade hay in storage is already under contract.
Northern Australia:
- Supplies of hay in Queensland and NSW are low. Cereal hay, some vetch and clover hay can be sourced from SA and Victoria.
- Some livestock producers are being forced to carry additional stock due to decreased demand from cattle processors and poor prices. With little paddock feed available and cooler temperatures there is an increasing demand for hay, putting further pressure on an already tight market.
- With cold, dry conditions impacting crop performance growers are now considering their harvest options for the 2014 crop. There is interest in baling failed cereal crops which should come onto the market in the coming month. Yields will be down due to poor crop performance.
Southern Australia:
- Until this week hay trading in southern regions had remained unusually slow for this time of year. Cooler temperatures over the past few weeks have resulted in increased in cereal hay and straw interest.
- Cereal hay supplies are good in Victoria and SA. As growers start preparing for the 2014 hay crop more hay is coming onto the market.
- Prices have remained fairly steady this week with trading slower than usual.
- Good crop reports throughout most of the region suggest that the potential is there for large fodder harvest this season.
Western Australia:
- Growers are reporting a good start to the season and are optimistic about the 2014 hay crop.
- The market for small squares of pasture hay is particularly tight this year due to decreased production and increased demand in 2013/14.
- Straw supplies are above average and quality is good.
- No real change in price or demand this week with both buyers and sellers uncertain of what the season ahead will bring. Steady demand throughout the year means stocks are low and if paddock feed growth stays slow we expect to see demand from cattle farmers increase.
- Fodder production has mostly finished for the season except for some areas under irrigation.
- Rhodes grass: ($280-$300/t). Prices remain steady this week.
- The dry conditions continue across the Downs. With no rain in sight both pasture and winter crops are reported to be struggling. Some growers are starting to look at cutting early cereal crops for hay however the dry season will limit crop yields.
- Demand in the region is increasing and hay is being sourced from Victoria.
- Local production of hay is likely to be low for the coming season, and anyone looking to source hay for the remainder of the year should look to secure feed now.
- Cereal hay: ($350-$400/t). Cereal hay can be sourced from South Australia and Victoria where stocks are good but quality is variable. Prices remain steady this week.
- Lucerne hay: ($350-$400/t). Lucerne hay supplies are low, with trading limited as a result. Prices remain steady this week as trading is very limited.
- Straw: ($210- $260/t). Steady this week but stocks are low as most straw was moved earlier in the year. Sorghum stubble baled in late autumn early winter is now hard to source. Some corn stubble is available now but supplies won’t last long.
- Pasture hay: ($165-$185/t). Small quantities of pasture hay are available. Quality is low.
- Cold frosty conditions over the past few weeks have prompted an increase in the demand for hay.
- There are reports this week that cattle processors are oversupplied and therefore the market for cattle is very slow. Some livestock producers have been forced to hold onto additional stock in the short term which is putting additional pressure on hay demand.
- Hay supplies in the region are tight. Hay is being sourced from the southern market to meet demand.
- Cereal Hay: +$25 ($350-$400/t). With demand increasing and local supplies low hay being sourced from Victoria. Prices strengthened this week due to cost of freighting this hay.
- Lucerne hay: +$10 ($350-$430/t). Lucerne hay is very difficult to source and trading is limited as a result. The quality of lucerne, where it can be sourced, is variable and there is some variation in pricing.
- Straw: ($200-$250/t). Straw supplies are very low.
- Pasture hay: ($210-$230/t). Trading is limited due to low availability. Generally quality is low.
4. Central West NSW – Hay Commentary>4. Central West NSW – Hay Commentary |
- Locally demand remains steady, there has been particular interest from buyers in the southern and northern coastal regions for lucerne hay.
- Generally hay supplies are tight right across NSW.
- Cereal hay: ($280-$300/t). Local cereal hay supplies are very low with trading limited accordingly.
- Lucerne hay: ($350-$400/t). Continued interest for all grades of lucerne hay has seen price increases over the past few weeks. Prices remain steady this week. Supplies are tight but some hay is available in Central West NSW.
- Straw: ($110-$130/t). Low volumes of straw are being traded at present and prices remain steady. Increasing demand from outside the region may impact trading in the coming weeks however supplies are limited due to interest earlier in the year.
- Pasture hay: (220-$280/t). There are no reports of pasture hay trading this week due to low supply. There is continued demand for small squares to the horse and hobby farmer market as temperatures have cooled off.
- Demand is starting to pick up as the season has cooled off. There is particular interest in cereal hay this week and prices have firmed slightly and a result.
- Most hay, not already under contract, is being sourced from Victoria. Hay supplies in NSW are very tight.
- Cereal hay: +$20 ($300-$320/t). Prices picked up this week driven by increased demand. Cereal hay can be sourced from Victoria.
- Lucerne Hay: ($350-$400/t). The market for lucerne hay has picked up slightly but prices are firm due to tight supplies.
- Straw: ($180-$200/t). There is particular demand for barley straw and supplies are ok but may come under pressure in the next month.
- Pasture Hay: ($160-$180/t). Trading is starting to pick up for both hay and silage as farmers own supplies start to run low.
- Demand is slower than usual for this time of year due to good on farm fodder supplies.
- The very wet cold conditions have resulted in some increased interest in cereal hay and straw. Demand may increase further if the wet cold conditions continue.
- Many growers will be starting to think about cleaning out sheds prior to harvest so more hay may come onto the market as a result.
- Hay is on the move north once again with northern buyers seeking cereal hay, vetch and clover hay from Victoria where it is available. As this demand increases price may be impacted in the weeks ahead.
- Cereal hay: ($180-$220/t). With trading steady prices remain unchanged. Some cereal hay is starting to move north again and this may impact price in the coming weeks.
- Lucerne hay: ($280-$320/t). Trading is slow due to limited supply, and supplies 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 few reports of pasture hay trading this week.
- There has been a very slight increase in demand for fodder in the past week. Cereal hay is most sought after.
- Most buyers are currently utilising their own feed supplies before purchasing fodder.
- Cereal hay: ($240-$260/t). Prices remain steady this week. Supplies are good in Northern and Western Victoria.
- Lucerne hay: ($310-$330/t). Supply is low throughout Victoria. Vetch is difficult to source and where it can be found quality is variable.
- Straw: ($110-$130/t). Some straw is available in Gippsland but quality is variable. Gippsland buyers seeking straw are sourcing it from North Central and Western Victoria, with straw from these regions being priced higher due to freight.
- Pasture hay: ($180-$220/t). Demand is slow due to good supplies on farm locally. There is a small amount of trade between farms.
- Demand for hay is unusually slow for this time of year. Most buyers are opting to utilise pastures and their own fodder supplies rather than buying in hay.
- Over the past few weeks interest in vetch and cereal hay has picked up due to the cold weather.
- Some growers are starting to look at clearing out sheds to prepare for the coming seasons crop which could provide opportunities for astute hay buyers
- 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). Lucerne is very difficult to find with supplies much lower than usual for this time of year. Due to the limited supply there is some price volatility for lucerne hay. Vetch is available but quality is variable.
- 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.
- Demand remains slower than usual for this time of year. On farm fodder supplies are still good.
- With trading slower than expected sellers may start to reconsider prices in order to shift hay in the coming weeks.
- Cereal Hay: ($135 -$145/t). Slow trading continues and prices are unchanged.
- Lucerne: ($260 – $280/t). Supplies are tighter than usual for this time of year but trading is slow.
- Straw: ($105-$115/t). Straw supplies are low.
- Pasture Hay: ($135-$155/t). There has been limited trading of pasture hay of late, with prices remaining steady.
- Demand remains steady, there has been some renewed interest from buyers in northern Australia.
- With the outlook for the 2014 harvest now looking good, growers are now starting to think about clearing out sheds in preparation. This may see some good opportunities arise for buyers.
- Cereal Hay: ($150-$200/t). Prices remained steady this week due to minimal trading.
- Lucerne hay: ($300-$330/t). Supplies are low.
- 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.
- Hay trading on the domestic market remains slow this week and prices remained steady.
- Supply of hay locally is low but straw and cereal hay is available in the key hay growing regions.
- 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 with 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 but demand is low.
- 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.
- With colder weather continuing and some dairy pastures pugging interest in hay is starting to pick up.
- There are continued reports of silage being traded.
- 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.
- Straw: ($140-$160). There is some interest in straw from the dairy industry, generally trading remains steady.
- Pasture hay: ($180-$200/t). Demand is now starting to pick up and supplies are good but quality is patchy.