Table of Contents
- Atherton Tablelands – Hay Commentary
- Darling Downs – Hay Commentary
- North Coast NSW – Hay Commentary
- Central West NSW – Hay Commentary
- Bega Valley – Hay Commentary
- Goulburn / Murray Valley – Hay Commentary
- Gippsland – Hay Commentary
- South West Vic – Hay Commentary
- South East SA – Hay Commentary
- Central SA – Hay Commentary
- South West WA – Hay Commentary
- 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:
- Prices have remained fairly steady this week however it is expected that hay prices will ease across the country over the coming weeks.
- There is some interest in baling drought stressed and/or frosted crops in regions of South Australia, NSW and the Mallee in Victoria. Some crops have already been cut. Anyone who is attempting to bale hay at this stage should be mindful of curing times. Baling hay before it is properly cured has many risks including shed fires and reduced fodder quality. Anyone looking for information on how to tell if hay is properly cured should check out the AFIA website under Fodder Care (click here to view).
- Lucerne hay continues to be very difficult to source across the country. Accordingly there has been a market shift in the price of lucerne hay in northern Australia. Some Vetch hay can be sourced as an alternative to lucerne in the southern Regions. Parts of western Victoria and South Australia have some supplies of vetch but quality is variable.
Northern Australia:
- Widespread rain in southern QLD and northern NSW was welcomed by farmers last weekend however the amount of rain was patchy across these regions. It is likely this will result in easing demand for hay as buyers try to save cash by holding off on purchases.
- Following recent rain, demand for straw is likely to pick up as buyers seek roughage. Straw supplies are very low at present. It is likely that 2014/15 straw production will be down due to large areas of failed cereal crops being cut for hay and lower than average crop yields, a result of the dry conditions.
- Baling cereal hay is now underway. Yields are down and there is steady demand for new season hay already. Coming into 2014/15 it is expected that hay supplies will remain tight. Buyers should be active now in trying to secure new season hay for the year ahead.
Southern Australia:
- Silage has already commenced in northern Victoria.
- With baling not too far away now is a good time for hay buyers to consider their hay requirements for the year ahead and starting talking to their hay supplier.
- Cool conditions and a general lack of rain has seen demand for hay from the dairy sector, as well as hobby farmers pick up along the south coast of NSW over the past month. This demand may ease in the coming weeks due to good rain last weekend but it is expected the demand for straw into this region will increase shortly.
Western Australia:
- The hay season in Western Australia has so far been good for growers; crops are looking good and benefitted from rain over the weekend.
- Demand on the domestic market is slow as plenty of paddock feed is available.
- The hay market remains steady this week. Supplies are lower than average for this time of year and trading is limited.
- There is still some demand for higher grade hay which is becoming difficult to source.
- Fodder production has slowed with growers waiting for more favourable conditions before resuming.
- Rhodes grass: ($280-$300/t). Prices remain steady this week.
- There was widespread but patchy rain throughout Southern Queensland over the weekend. While the rain will bring much needed relief to some, follow up rain is still needed.
- Early sown cereal crops are being baled at present. Growers are reporting good quality but low yields.
- With local hay supplies very low, hay from Victoria and South Australia continues to head north to meet the demand.
- Alternative feeds such as cotton seed and cotton seed hulls are also in short supply. If there is no good rain in the coming months to fill dams in preparation for the 2015 cotton crop such feeds could be in even shorter supply in 2015. This will put additional pressure on hay supply and prices in Queensland in 2015.
- Cereal hay: ($400 to $450/t). Prices remain steady this week. New season cereal hay is now becoming available but steady demand is keeping prices firm. Cereal hay in small squares is trading for $14.50/ bale (on farm) this week. There is strong demand from horse and hobby farmers in the New England regions of NSW and across the Tablelands.
- Lucerne hay: +$50 ($450 – $500/t). Lucerne prices are showing a large lift this week however this is mostly due to a correction in the market. The high prices are due to the low supply across Australia and the cost of additional freight if lucerne hay can be sourced. There are reports that some lucerne hay is being shipped from South East South Australia. Supplies in that region are becoming tight also. Small squares are also in short supply and trading for around $16.50/ bale.
- Straw: +$5 ($220- $260/t). There was a slight increase in straw prices this week. With an increase in cereal crops being cut for hay this year it is likely that the amount of straw produced in 2014 will be down considerably this year.
- Pasture hay: N/A. There are no reports of pasture hay being traded due to the low supply.
- Rain last weekend was welcomed by growers and buyers alike. Conditions are still drier than usual for this time of year but there is some increased optimism amongst farmers.
- Demand for hay has eased this week following the rain. Many buyers are trying to save by holding off hay purchases for now.
- Cereal Hay: ($350-$400/t). Prices remained steady this week. Cereal hay can be sourced from Victoria and South Australia.
- Lucerne hay: +$50 ($450-$500/t). Lucerne prices are showing a large lift this week however this is mostly due to a correction in the market. The high prices are due to the low supply across Australia and the cost of additional freight if lucerne hay can be sourced. There are reports that some lucerne hay can be sourced from South East South Australia but supplies in that region are becoming tight also. It is unlikely that the pressure on supply will ease until well into 2014/15 hay season.
- Straw: ($200-$250/t). Prices remain unchanged this week due to the lack of availability and trading.
- Pasture hay: ($210-$230/t). Trading is limited due to low availability. Generally quality is low.
- Good rain on the weekend was welcomed by hay growers.
- There have been some reports of stressed crops being damaged by frosts over the past few weeks. There is some interest in baling these crops, with some crops already cut for hay. Anyone who is attempting to bale hay at this stage should be mindful of curing times. There is some good information on curing hay correctly on the AFIA website under Fodder Care. (click here to view).
- Locally demand for hay is steady and supplies are low.
- Both hobby farmers and dairy farmers on the South Coast of NSW remain active buyers, particularly seeking cereal hay. Rain in the southern regions may impact this demand in the coming weeks.
- Cereal hay: ($300-$330/t). Local cereal hay supplies are very low. Many buyers are now moving to Victoria and South Australia to source cereal hay.
- Lucerne hay: ($350-$400/t). Prices remain steady at present due to the lack of lucerne hay available for trading.
- Straw: ($110-$130/t). Low volumes of straw are being traded and prices remain steady.
- Pasture hay: (220-$280/t). There is continued demand for small squares to the livestock and hobby farmer markets with the recent cool temperatures.
- There has been steady demand for hay due to the drier conditions over the past few months, with cereal hay being the most sought after.
- Good rain last weekend was welcomed by farmers in the region and may see the demand for cereal hay ease in the coming weeks.
- It is expected the demand for straw will remain steady as producer seek roughage. Straw supplies are getting low and there is unlikely to be any carry over coming into 2014/15 season.
- Cereal hay: ($320-$340/t). Prices remained steady this week after an increase or $20 last week. Cereal hay prices are expected to remain steady until new season hay becomes available in a few months.
- Lucerne Hay: ($350-$400/t). Finding lucerne hay is very difficult as supplies are low. Prices are firm and will remain steady until trading re-commences when new season hay is available.
- Straw: ($180-$200/t). Demand for straw remains steady. Prices are unchanged this week but may increase in the coming weeks as supplies are starting to run low.
- Pasture Hay: ($160-$180/t).No pasture hay prices were reported this week. We understand there is still some farm to farm trade occurring.
- Demand remains slow this week. There are some reports of hay trading but generally the market is very slow for this time of year. Some prices have eased this week accordingly.
- There are a few reports of discounted cereal hay trading as hay growers try to clear out their sheds in preparation for the coming hay season. Cereal hay prices eased this week as a result.
- Some vetch is also moving into the region this is taking the place of lucerne hay which is very difficult to source.
- Cereal hay: -$20 ($180-$200/t). Prices have eased again this week. Slow trading as well as growers trying to offload 2013 hay is causing the prices to ease.
- Lucerne hay: ($280-$320/t). Trading is slow due to limited supply, and will remain tight throughout winter.
- Vetch hay: ($260-$280/t). Vetch hay can be sourced in Western Victoria, in place of cereal hay.
- Straw: ($90-$110/t). Prices remain unchanged this week. There is some straw being traded however buyers are favouring discounted cereal hay over straw.
- Pasture hay: -$15 ($150-$170/t). Trading is slow at present; there are good supplies of pasture hay available.
- Demand for hay remains steady. Cereal hay has been most sought after.
- Supplies of cereal hay are still good, particularly in western Victoria. Some hay growers are clearing sheds at present and offering discounted prices for cereal hay. This may create an opportunity for hay buyers over the coming weeks.
- Growers have experienced favourable conditions over the past few months and are optimistic for the season ahead.
- 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 hay: ($280 – $320/t). Vetch can be sourced from the Wimmera but quality is variable and supplies are starting to get low.
- 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 where supplies are good. Be mindful that considerable costs would be added due to freight when bringing in straw from these regions.
- 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 remains steady, but slower than usual for this time of year. Cereal hay is most sought after.
- There are reports that some growers are clearing out their shed to make way for the 2014 has season. With more hay coming onto the market over the past few weeks prices have softened.
- Some vetch hay is still available from growers in the Wimmera. Quality varies with high grade hay becoming more difficult to source.
- Cereal hay: ($150-$170/t). Prices remain steady although there are some reports of heavily discounted cereal hay coming onto the market.
- Lucerne hay: ($250-$280/t). Lucerne remains difficult to source. Due to the limited supply we are seeing some price volatility for lucerne hay and vetch is available but quality is variable.
- Vetch hay: ($200-$230/t). Vetch hay is still available in northern Victoria. Prices have eased over the past month as the quality of hay available is declining.
- Straw: ($110-$120/t). Prices and demand remain steady this week. There is plenty of straw available.
- 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 has picked up over the past few weeks due to the cold weather. There has been some interest in cereal hay and straw.
- With trading slower than expected some sellers have decreased their prices in order to shift hay. This may also have contributed to a slight increase in demand.
- With the exception of lucerne hay, on farm hay supplies are good locally.
- Cereal Hay: ($135 -$145/t). Prices are unchanged due to slow trading.
- Lucerne: ($260 – $280/t). Supplies are tighter than usual for this time of year and prices remain unchanged.
- 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 has eased from buyers in northern Australia and the market remains steady.
- Local hay supplies are good for this time of year and it looks likely that cereal hay and straw will be carried into the coming season. Accordingly growers are now starting to think about clearing out sheds which may see some good opportunities for buyers.
- For many hay producers, growing conditions have been good but the season is very early.
- There are reports of frost damaged crops through parts of South Australia, particularly in the northern areas. There is some interest in baling these crops, with some crops already cut. Anyone who is attempting to bale hay at this stage should be mindful of curing times. There is some good information on curing hay correctly on the AFIA website under Fodder Care. (click here to view).
- Cereal Hay: ($150-$200/t). Prices remained steady this week due to minimal trading.
- Lucerne hay: ($300-$330/t). Supplies are low and there has been minimal trading as a result.
- Straw: ($120- $130/t). There has been little movement in price over the past month, with supplies good and demand slow.
- Pasture hay: No reported trading of pasture hay.
- There has been widespread rain over the past week which will benefit crops. For many growers this will be timely rain for their cereal and hay crops.
- Hay trading on the domestic market remains slow this week as plenty of paddock feed is available. Prices remain steady this week.
- For buyers looking to source their 2014/15 hay supplies now is a good time to start talking to your hay supplier and locking in contracts.
- 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.
- The growing season is going well however temperatures are cold and there is some hay being traded.
- Straw is in demand for roughage in mixed rations. Dairy farmers are the most active buyers at present.
- Quality hay is in short supply with lucerne hay particularly hard to source.
- Cereal hay: ($220-$240/t). There are limited reports of trading due to low supplies. Prices remain unchanged.
- Lucerne hay: ($300-$350/t). Prices remain steady as there is minimal trading. The supply is low and buyers are having difficulty sourcing lucerne.
- Straw: ($170-$190). With interest in straw starting to increase prices have picked up in the past few weeks.
- Pasture hay: ($180-$200/t). Demand remains steady and prices are unchanged this week.