National Summary
- As is typical for the Christmas and New Year period the hay market is very quiet this week. Little change in pricing has been reported due to the slow trading. We expect the hay market to pick up again in late January/early February, when the outlook for the coming season is clearer and there is a better understanding of hay stocks in general.
- Overall the supply of hay is expected to be below average. Hay supplies could come under pressure if there is a late break in the key dairy regions in 2015.
- Protein hay is in short supply and there are already reports that the market for protein hay is tight.
Northern Australia
- Demand for hay has softened in northern Australia with patchy rain in the past few months helping to boost pasture growth in some areas.
- Many growers have taken advantage of the recent rain to plant summer forage crops. With good follow up rain these crops should be available for harvest in February/ March.
- In regions that received larger amounts of rain through late spring there is now an opportunity to start baling pasture hay. Although the quality of hay may vary many growers are trying to stockpile roughage to replenish their exhausted feed reserves.
Southern Australia
- Demand for hay has slowed considerably in the past few weeks. A combination of available paddock feed and buyer resistance to the higher prices are the key drivers behind the slow demand.
- In Gippsland and Tasmania pasture hay production is now underway. Bega and other parts of southern NSW are still trying to bale hay and silage. Some areas have been continually interrupted by rain which has slowed production and could impact on feed quality. Later cuts of lucerne hay are continuing and in some regions second cut silage is now underway.
Western Australia
- Pasture hay production varied in the south west this year as some areas missed out on late rain to finish their paddocks. There was a lot of interest in baling pasture hay but some areas didn’t make average yields due to the dry finish to the season.
- Cereal hay supplies are about average at present due to a good hay season in the key export hay growing regions. Exporters have been active buyers in late 2014, particularly seeking high grade cereal hay.
Regional Commentary
Atherton Tablelands
- Despite the late start to the wet season, rain in the past month has benefitted livestock producers and hobby farmers in the Atherton region. Demand for hay has now eased as paddock feed becomes more readily available.
- Hay remains in short supply and with the onset of the wet season hay production won’t recommence for some months.
- Pasture hay: -$30 ($280 to $320/t). Prices have eased slightly over the past few weeks as the quality of new season hay is lower.
Darling Downs
- Good rain late in 2014 has helped to boost pasture growth and create opportunities for baling in some areas.
- Hay supplies remain low, and despite the expected lower quality of new season pasture hay, many producers will appreciate the opportunity to have some feed on hand.
- The demand for hay remains slow into the New Year and with some paddock feed now available it is expected the market will remain steady for the coming weeks.
- Cereal hay: +/- $0 ($380 to $400/t). Prices remain steady this week and are likely to remain steady for the short term due to the softer demand.
- Lucerne hay: +/-$0 ($450 to $500/t). The market for lucerne hay remains firm but steady. With the limited supply prices are expected to stay firm in the coming months.
- Straw: +/- $0 ($180 to $200/t). Like other fodder varieties prices are speculative.
- Pasture hay: +/- $0 ($380 to $420/t). Prices are speculative and based on a few reports of pasture (rye and rye/clover blend) hay from southern NSW. As new season hay is baled over the coming weeks prices may start to become more evident.
North Coast NSW
- Demand for hay has slowed right down over the past few weeks and is likely to remain steady in the short term.
- Prices remain firm but steady this week despite the drop off in demand. Firm prices are a result of low hay supply locally. Prices may ease slightly in the coming weeks if hay growers are able to start baling again after the rain.
- Summer forage crops have gone in over the past month and growers will be keen to conserve fodder by way of hay and silage in the coming months.
- Cereal hay: +/-$0 ($280 to $300/t). Prices remain steady this week.
- Lucerne hay: +/- $0 ($350-$400/t). Prices remain firm but steady this week. It is expected prices will flatten out now as we head into 2015.
- Straw: +/-$0 ($120 to $160/t). Prices are steady but speculative as new season straw is only just coming onto the market.
- Pasture hay: +/-$0 N/A. There is very little pasture hay available at present and very few reports of trading in bulk quantities.
Central West NSW
- The demand for hay has slowed right down over the past few weeks. A combination of available paddock feed and higher fodder prices are the key drivers.
- Most hay supplies are good at present, with the exception of lucerne, particularly high lucerne hay which is moving quickly to the chaff mills.
- There is some interest in straw production this year due to good yields and quality.
- Cereal hay: +/-$0 ($220 to $260/t). Prices remain steady this week after softening slightly last week.
- Lucerne hay: +/- $0 ($320 to $400/t). Prices remain steady this week. Lower grade lucerne is trading in the mid to low $300’s and premium lucerne is trading at $400.
- 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
- Demand for hay is slow through the Bega region. Good rain late in 2014 helped to boost pasture and summer forage crops.
- Contractors have been very busy over the past month, although significant rain events have interrupted baling. The quality of this summer feed may vary due to the rain.
- With limited reports of trading prices are speculative.
- Cereal hay: +/-$0 ($280 to $320/t). Cereal hay prices remained steady this week due to the flattening demand.
- Lucerne hay: +/-$0 ($380 to $400/t). Prices remain firm but steady this week.
- Straw: +/-$0 ($180 to $200/t). Straw prices remain steady but supplies are low.
- Pasture hay: +/-$0 ($260 to $280/t). Pasture hay prices remain steady this week. Reports of trading are limited at present as growers are concentrating on making their own fodder as opposed to buying.
Goulburn/Murray Valley
- The demand for hay is slow at present. There is some interest in protein hay, but generally the market is very quiet, as is typical for this time of year.
- There is still a steady market for high grade hay, with chaff mills actively seeking premium lucerne.
- There is interest in baling straw this year due to the good yields and quality of straw available.
- Prices are fairly steady this week and are expected to remain so until late January or early February when the seasonal outlook for 2015 becomes clearer.
- Cereal hay: +/- $0 ($200 to $240/t). Prices remain steady this week. Interest from both local and interstate buyers now dropping right off.
- Lucerne hay: +/-$0 ($300 to $320/t). Prices remain steady this week. Demand is also steady.
- 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 remains slow as paddock feed is available and most farmers are concentrating on making their own hay rather than buying it in.
- The hay baling season continues to be interrupted by rain with more expected later this week. This rain may impact the quality of hay that has been cut. For some growers the rain will help finish hay paddocks and enable second cuts of silage.
- There is a lot of interest in fodder conservation this year amidst fears that hay supplies will be tight in 2015.
- Cereal hay: +/-$0 ($280 to $300/t). Prices remain firm but steady this week.
- Lucerne hay: +/-$0 ($380 to $400/t).Prices remain firm but steady this week. Tight lucerne supplies are keeping prices high at present.
- 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 coming weeks.
Southwest Victoria
- Demand for hay remains slow following the Christmas New Year break.
- The last of the new season pasture hay is now going into the bale, concluding what has been a below average season for hay.
- There is some interest in baling straw. The dry finish to the season has benefitted the quality of new season straw.
- Cereal hay: +/-$0 ($220 to $240/t). Prices remain steady this week.
- Lucerne hay: +/-$0 ($320 to $360/t). Prices remain firm but steady this week.
- Straw: +/-$0 ($110 to $120/t). Prices remain steady this week.
- Pasture hay: +/-$0 ($180 to $240/t). Prices remain steady at present but further price rises may occur if the season stays dry.
Southeast South Australia
- The hay season is coming to an end, with the last of the straw and final cuts of lucerne going into the bale now. Overall hay yields were well below average in 2014/15 due to the dry spring.
- Demand for hay has eased in the past few weeks as buyers hold out to see how the season is shaping up. Demand is unlikely to pick up for a few weeks.
- Cereal hay: +/-$0 ($240 to $260/t). Prices remain firm but steady this week.
- Lucerne hay: +/- $0 ($300 to $350/t). Prices remain steady this week and are firm for this time of year.
- 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 $220/t). Prices for new season pasture hay remain steady this week.
Central South Australia
- Bush fires in the Adelaide Hills will put pressure on hay suppliers who usually sell to the hobby and horse market in this region.
- There also continues to be some interest in lower grade hay from buyers in Northern Territory, however this market is very price sensitive.
- Exporters have been active buyers early this season and have picked up a lot of high grade cereal hay.
- Overall the quality of new season hay is high but supplies may come under pressure if the season stays dry. At present supplies of hay are ok, with the exception of protein hay varieties which are in short supply.
- Cereal hay: +/- $0 ($180 to $220/t). Prices remain steady this week.
- 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 but steady at present. With the hay and silage harvest now complete and straw production well underway it appears that hay supplies are good in WA.
- The quality of cereal hay available in WA varies. There has been some excellent quality hay made in 2014 and also some hay which was badly impacted by rain. Growers are encouraged to get a feed analysis done and visually assess hay before purchase.
- The yields of straw are expected to be down overall due to limited demand on both the domestic and export markets at this stage.
- 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
- Hay contractors have been busy over the past few weeks with pasture hay production now well underway. Lucerne hay is also being cut and there is some interest in second cut silage.
- Rain has caused some issues and interrupted baling in many regions.
- Overall 2014/15 hay yields are expected to be below average, mostly due to the dry finish to the season in November.
- There is still some paddock feed available but there are also enquiries for new season hay. Some astute buyers are getting in early to secure their hay supplies for the year ahead.
- 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.