National Summary
- Hay prices remained steady in most regions and there are reports that the market has eased slightly this week. Tight cash flows, patchy rain in some regions and limited options to buy hay behind the baler are the key drivers.
- As the cereal hay season is now complete and the other baling hay varieties are well underway, we are getting a clearer picture of total hay production from the 2014 season. In general hay yields are lower than average, although there is a lot of variation across the country. Fewer crop plantings for hay and the dry finish to the season are the key drivers for the lower production. Competition from buyers wanting to secure hay behind the baler has also been stronger than average over the past month, another key contributor that will impact hay supply for the year ahead.
- In Victoria and Central South Australia hay growers are already indicating that the supply of vetch is getting low due to strong demand.
- Buyers seeking new season hay in 2015 are encouraged to lock supplies early. We expect that hay supply will be generally tight next year.
Northern Australia
- Hay production is now well underway however consistent demand has kept the market in a fairly hand to mouth situation. Feedlots remain active buyers trying to secure their 2015 hay supplies.
- Cash flow is starting to impact on the ability of livestock producers to buy hay. This has resulted in demand easing slightly in northern Australia.
- On the north coast of NSW the hay season is well underway however this region is drying off quickly which may impact on pasture hay yields.
Southern Australia
- The market remains steady this week, a situation that is not expected to change over the coming weeks leading up to Christmas.
- Pasture hay production and second cuts of lucerne hay are now underway. Yields vary but overall are expected to be below average to average.
- There is a lot of interest in baling pasture hay to re-fill empty hay sheds this year. There has also been some interst in baling late cereal crops for hay although it is unlikely the amount cut will impact the market considerably.
Western Australia
- Straw production is now underway. Yields are down on average and some rain earlier this week will impact on quality.
- Trading is slow as most growers are concentrating on making their own pasture hay for the year ahead.
- The season has been patchy in the south west and yields vary as a result.
Regional Commentary
Atherton Tablelands
- Hay supplies are very tight as the traditional baling season comes to an end.
- Hay producers are now considering their options and deciding if watering pasture for further cuts of hay is worthwhile.
- Conditions are much drier than usual and demand for hay from both livestock producers and hobby farmers remains steady.
- Pasture hay: +/-$0 ($320 to $340/t). Prices remain steady this week but are firmer than average for this time of year.
Darling Downs
- The demand for hay remains steady as the dry conditions continue.
- Supplies of fodder in southern Queensland remain tight however small quantities of hay can be sourced locally.
- Hay traders are reporting that livestock producers are holding off from purchasing fodder where possible due to cash flow issues. Freight subsidies have assisted many of these growers over the past few months but subsidies are now starting to run out.
- Feedlots remain active buyers. They are busy trying to source their 2015 hay supplies with hay moving from South Australia and Victoria to meet their requirements.
- Growers are now looking to summer cropping options. While some cotton and sorghum is already planted the hot dry conditions and lack of water has caused others to hold off until water allocations become clearer. It is expected that overall summer crop planting swill be down. This will impact the availability of summer silage, sorghum and cotton seed meal in early 2015.
- Cereal hay: +/- $0 ($280 to $320/t). Prices remain steady this week although we expect the price fluctuations seen over the past month to continue into 2015.
- Lucerne hay: +/- $0 ($400 to $450/t). Prices are steady at present. Hay is moving in from Central West NSW to meet demand and as hay comes from further afield additional prices rises are expected.
- Straw: +/- $0 ($180 to $200/t). Like other fodder varieties prices are speculative. There is a steady market for lower grade hay and straw however sourcing it is becoming challenging.
- Pasture hay: N/A. Due to the poor growing conditions over the past few months very little pasture hay has been made in 2014.
North Coast NSW
- The hay market remains steady this week with growers currently trying to hold off from purchasing hay, mainly due to cash flow issues.
- Hay supplies are tight due to lower than average yields and steady demand throughout 2014.
- The new hay season is now underway and the quality of the new hay crop is reported to be high.
- Silage production is coming to an end with good yields and quality has been reported this year.
- Cereal hay: +/-$0 ($240 to $280/t). Prices remain steady this week and supplies are below average.
- Lucerne hay: +/- $0 ($350-$400/t). Prices remain steady this week. We expect new season protein hay to move quickly this year and encourage buyers to talk to their hay suppliers now.
- Straw: +/-$0 N/A There are no reports of straw trading yet however straw production has commenced in the north of the state. New season straw should become available locally in the next month.
- Pasture hay: +/-$0 N/A. There is very little pasture hay available at present and have been no reports of trading.
Central West NSW
- Trading is steady at present. There has been a lot of interest from buyers, particularly hay traders, looking to secure their 2015 hay supplies. In many situations this hasn’t translated into hay sales as yet as buyers are still scoping out the market.
- If the high levels of interest are a true indication of demand for the coming year, hay supplies are likely to become tight in early 2015.
- The hay season is now well underway with growers optimistic about both yields and quality. Some dry land areas have been impacted by the dry finish.
- There has been a lot of interest from livestock producers in making their own hay to fill empty haysheds.
- Cereal hay: +/-$0 ($180 to $220/t). Prices remain steady this week. We expect fluctuations in pricing to continue in the coming months.
- Lucerne hay: +/- $0 ($350 to $400/t). Prices remain steady this week. There is a lot of interest in lucerne hay at present, particularly from chaff mills and the hobby farmer market. This interest combined with low supply is keeping the prices firm.
- Straw: +/-$0 N/A. There are no reports of straw being traded this week which is mainly attributed to low stocks and slow demand.
- Pasture hay: +/-$0 N/A. There are no reports of new season pasture hay trading yet. New season pasture hay should become available in the coming months.
Bega Valley
- The hay season is now underway. Good yields and quality are expected from this seasons hay crop.
- Demand for hay has been slow due to the favourable spring. Pasture growth has been good resulting in good availability of paddock feed.
- Some astute buyers are already locking in their 2015 hay supplies. It is expected that 2015 will be very tight for hay and anyone seeking hay for the year ahead is encouraged to talk to their suppliers now.
- Cereal hay: +/-$0 ($240 to $260/t). Cereal hay prices remain steady this week.
- Lucerne hay: +/-$0 ($360 to $380/t). Prices remain steady this week. Lucerne hay supply will be tight in 2015 and further price rises are expected.
- Straw: +/-$0 ($180 to $200/t). Straw prices remain steady with supplies low due to a late rush on demand in August.
- Pasture hay: +/-$0 ($200 to $250/t). Pasture hay prices remain steady this week.
Goulburn/Murray Valley
- The demand for cereal hay is steady at present however there has been a lot of interest in vetch. Vetch supply is now coming under pressure as a result. It is expected that all protein hay (vetch and Lucerne) will be in short supply in 2015.
- With the cereal hay harvest now complete growers are reporting excellent quality and average yields. Exporters have been active buyers to date with a focus on sourcing high grade cereal hay.
- New season cereal hay supplies are expected to be tight in 2015.
- Some rain this week will have caused damage to pasture hay on the ground.
- Cereal hay: +/-$0 ($180 to $200/t). Prices remain steady at present. It is expected there will be some fluctuation in the market coming into 2015.
- Lucerne hay: +/-$0 ($300 to $320/t). Prices remain steady this week. Despite the steady demand for vetch and Lucerne there is buyer resistance for hay over $300/t.
- Straw: +/-$0 ($90 to $110/t). Prices remain steady as trading is limited.
- Pasture hay: +/-$0 ($150 to $170/t). Prices remain steady this week and are unlikely to vary too much in the short term.
Gippsland
- Demand for hay is slow but steady. There is particular interest in vetch but most other varieties have quietened off.
- Most buyers securing hay at present are putting hay into storage in order to secure their 2015 supply.
- Pasture hay production is just getting underway. There is a lot of interest in pasture hay this year.
- Overall it is expected hay yields will be down on average due to the dry finish to the spring. However there will be a lot of variation across the region due to the patchy growing season in 2014.
- While there is still some lower grade hay available high quality hay may become hard to find in the coming months.
- Cereal hay: +/-$0 ($240 to $260/t). Prices are fluctuating and there are only small amounts of cereal hay trading at present. There is variation in pricing depending on the quality of hay available.
- Lucerne hay: +/-$0 ($350 to $360/t).Prices are firm and are likely to stay high over the coming months. Tightening vetch supplies are also impacting prices.
- Straw: +/-$0 ($110 to $130/t). Trading is slow and prices remain steady this week.
- Pasture hay: +/-$0 ($180 to $220/t). Prices remain steady. New season pasture hay is likely to come on line in the next month or so.
Southwest Victoria
- Some patchy rain through the region this week may have influenced the hay market which is slowing slightly at present.
- Demand for vetch is steady but most other varieties have eased slightly.
- We expect that the market will remain fairly steady now until early 2015, as opportunities to buy hay behind the baler are becoming limited and most hay is in storage.
- Buyers seeking new season hay in 2015 are encouraged to lock in their supplies early. We expect that hay supplies will be tight next year due to lower than average yields and steady demand in most regions along the east coast.
- Cereal hay: +/-$0 ($180 to $220/t). Prices remain steady this week.
- Lucerne hay: +$25 ($300 to $350/t). Prices firmed slightly this week, an indication that protein hay supplies becoming tight.
- Straw: +/-$0 ($110 to $120/t). Prices remain steady this week.
- Pasture hay: +$0 ($180 to $220/t). As new season hay becomes available there is a slight shift in pricing. We expect further price fluctuations as demand picks up in the coming months.
Southeast South Australia
- Demand remains steady although the market has slowed a little as many buyers concentrate on making their own hay.
- The dry spring has had some impact on production, although there are some reports that hay pasture yields in the far south east are better than expected.
- Lucerne hay yields are well below average due to the dry spring; this is particularly evident in the lucerne growing region around the Naracoorte.
- With the dry finish to the season coupled with lower than average yields for both hay and silage overall it is expected hay supply will be tight in 2015. Lucerne hay will be particularly tight.
- Cereal hay: +/-$0 ($200 to $220/t). Prices remain steady at present but are likely to pick up in the coming months.
- Lucerne hay: +$10 ($300 to $330/t). Prices strengthened slightly this week, an indication that protein hay supplies are becoming tight.
- Straw: +/-$0 ($105 to $115/t). Very little straw is trading at present. Supplies are low and prices remain steady.
- Pasture hay: +/-$0 ($180 to $200/t). Prices for new season pasture hay remain steady this week. Further prices rises are expected as buyers seek to secure their supplies in the coming weeks.
Central South Australia
- Demand for hay is steady at present with exporters being active buyers for cereal hay behind the baler. On the domestic market there is strong interest in vetch from the both dairy and livestock producers locally.
- Protein hay supplies (clover, medic and vetch) are in short supply. This is due to continued demand.
- There are reports that some buyers from the Northern Territory are also making enquiries on cereal hay due to the short supplies of hay in that region. At present new season hay from the mid north is not cost effective for the NT market.
- Straw production will commence in the coming weeks. There is some interest in baling straw this year and growers are generally optimistic that the market will be steady.
- Cereal hay: +/- $0 ($180 to $220/t). Prices remain steady this week. Further price fluctuations are expected over the coming months.
- Lucerne hay: +/-$0 ($280 to $330/t). Prices remain steady this week. With a shortfall in supply likely to impact most lucerne hay growing regions we can expect firm prices for all protein hay varieties in 2015.
- Straw: +/-$0 ($120 to $130/t). Prices remain steady this week and trading is limited.
- Pasture hay: N/A. No reported trading of late.
Southwest Western Australia
- Demand for hay is slow in WA at present as many growers concentrate on their own hay and straw.
- Due to the lack of carry over pasture hay there is a lot of interest in baling hay this season.
- Most of the pasture hay baled in this region is for on farm use. Trading of pasture hay is limited.
- In the export hay growing regions hay is completed and contractors have moved on to baling straw.
- The straw yields are expected to be down overall and rain earlier this week will impact on the quality of straw in some regions.
- Cereal hay: +/- $0 ($160 to $180/t). Prices remain steady this week but they are likely to fluctuate in the coming weeks and months.
- Lucerne hay: +/-$0 ($480 to $520/t). Prices remained firm this week with generally very little variation on the lucerne hay market due to the short supply available in WA.
- Straw+/-$0 ($85 to $115/t). Limited trading of late and prices remain unchanged.
- Pasture hay: +/-$0 ($150 to 180/t). New season pasture hay is now coming online. Prices remain steady at present due to the limited trading.
Northwest Tasmania
- The hay season is now getting underway. Some patchy rain this week has interrupted production. However for growers in many parts of Tasmania the rain was a welcome relief as the season has dried off considerably.
- Demand for hay is steady at present. There is a lot of interest from buyers wanting to secure their 2015 hay supplieshowever this is not translating into sales at present.
- Prices are fairly speculative as on farm fodder supplies are low and new season hay is still a few weeks away.
- Cereal hay: +/-$0 ($220 to $240/t). Cereal hay availability is very limited but prices remain steady.
- Lucerne hay: +/-$0 ($300 to $320/t). Prices remained steady this week as the new season is not too far away.
- Straw+/-$0 ($170 to $190/t). There is limited demand for straw with pasture hay being a more favourable alternative.
- Pasture hay: +/-$0 ($170 to $190/t). Prices remain steady this week. With new season pasture hay just starting to come online there may be some price variation in the coming weeks.