National Summary
- Very few changes were reported in the hay market over the past week. Improved growing conditions in a number of regions, particularly following rain in the North, are expected to slightly reduce the demand for fodder.
- Cooler conditions in the south have caused some buyers to delay their fodder purchases and we are still receiving reports of chaff mills actively seeking high grade lucerne and oaten hay.
- The supply prediction for the coming season remains the same – below average – although it should be sufficient for current demand outlook. Hay supplies could come under pressure if there is a late break in the key dairy regions in 2015.
Northern Australia
- Optimism in the North continues following the summer rains with both crops and pastures benefiting.
- With paddock feed becoming more available the demand for hay is slowing although there is still interest in high quality hay, protein hay in particular.
- Some growers are also taking advantage of available feed to make hay although summer storms continue to interrupt baling in some regions which may see quality suffer.
Southern Australia
- Demand for hay continues to be slow with many growers utilising summer forage crops and available paddock feed rather than hay. Again there were limited reports of hay trading with a number of sellers continuing to sit out of the market at current prices.
- Fodder conservation continues where possible, in particular in regions such as in Bega and Gippsland.
Western Australia
- Cereal hay supplies are about average at present due to a good hay season in the key export hay growing regions.
- There is some interest in cereal hay from the exporters but generally the hay market is quiet at present.
Regional Commentary
Atherton Tablelands
- Generally quiet trading conditions for hay with recent rain resulting in paddock feed being available in most areas.
- Hay remains in short supply for this time of year and with the onset of the wet season hay production is unlikely to resume for some months.
- Pasture hay: +/-$0 ($280 to $320/t). Prices remain steady.
Darling Downs
- Following more rainfall this week the optimism amongst farmers in south east Queensland continues. A key indicator of this optimism is the strengthening cattle prices.
- Hay and straw supplies continue to be low due to the dry conditions throughout most of 2014.
- Hay demand has eased although the prices remain steady.
- 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). Prices remain steady this week, although there are limited reports of trading.
- Pasture hay: +/- $0 ($380 to $420/t). Prices are speculative. 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 considerably in the past month thanks to summer rains boosting pasture growth and taking the pressure off the hay market.
- Lucerne trade easing and tending to trade at the lower end of the price range. Still reasonable demand for high quality chaffing hay.
- Interruptions from rain to baling hay continue causing occasional reduction in quality.
- Cereal hay: +/-$0 ($280 to $300/t). Prices remain steady this week.
- Lucerne hay: +/- $0 ($350-$400/t). Prices remain steady and are expected to stay steady for the coming weeks.
- Straw: +/-$0 ($120 to $160/t). Prices are steady but speculative as there has been limited trading so far this season.
- Pasture hay: +/-$0 N/A. Only limited pasture hay available at present and very few reports of trading in bulk quantities.
Central West NSW
- Quiet trading conditions continue to dominate, driven by the combination of available paddock feed and higher fodder prices.
- Most hay supplies are good at present, with the exception of lucerne. Chaff mills continue to be active buyers particularly seeking high grade lucerne hay.
- Cereal hay: -$5 ($220 to $250/t). Prices softening slightly this week after having been steady since December.
- Lucerne hay: +/- $0 ($320 to $400/t). Prices remain steady this week.
- 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.
Bega Valley
- Demand for hay remains slow this week with good pasture and crop growth being key drivers.
- Intermittent rain continuing to interrupt bailing across the district. The quality of this summer feed may vary due to the rain.
- Orders being set for summer silage (Maize, sorghum and millet), indicating demand is still strong.
- 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 rather than buying.
Goulburn/Murray Valley
- The demand for hay has been lower than the average due to the cooler than expected conditions.
- Lucerne growers are onto their third or fourth cuts and overall the quality is good.
- The outlook on the coming maize harvest remains positive with continuing good growing conditions.
- Prices remain steady 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.
- Lucerne hay: +/-$0 ($300 to $320/t). Prices remain steady this week. High grade lucerne is fetching a premium.
- 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 continues to be slow as rain and cooler conditions have kept paddock feed at a reasonable level. There has been some interest in protein hay but the trade remains slow.
- Fodder conservation continues in Gippsland with growers looking to build up stocks.
- Favourable growing conditions have resulted in a good hay harvest across most of the region. Pasture hay supplies are generally good.
- Cereal hay: +/-$0 ($240 to $280/t). Prices remain steady this week.
- Lucerne hay: +/-$0 ($350 to $380/t). Prices have eased slightly due to the slowing demand.
- Straw: +/-$0 ($110 to $130/t). Trading is slow and prices remain steady this week.
- – Pasture hay: +/-$0 ($200 to $220/t). With some good quality pasture and clover hay becoming available prices are quite firm for this time of year. Good quality pasture hay is expected to be sought after in the coming months.
Southwest Victoria
- Demand for hay remains slow although may increase slightly with the warmer weather forecast for the coming week.
- Rain over the past month has benefitted summer crops and helped boost pasture growth. This has taken some pressure off the need for purchased feed.
- There is some interest in baling straw, quality is good and supplies are also good.
- Cereal hay: +/-$0 ($220 to $240/t). Prices remain steady this week.
- Lucerne hay: +/ -$0 ($300 to $330/t). Prices remain 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 and trading is very limited.
Southeast South Australia
- High quality hay is particularly difficult to source. The combination of early purchases and dry conditions driving down yields has kept prices firm.
- Demand for hay is slow but steady. With many buyers already having made purchases of fodder for later in the year.
- Overall supplies are below average for this time of year, with Lucerne hay in particularly short in supply.
- 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
- The hay market remains slow at present, although exporters continue to make enquiries for additional cereal hay.
- Most hay growers are reporting that all hay in storage is largely under contract now. A combination of active domestic and export buyers in late 2014 are the key drivers.
- Overall the quality of new season hay is high but supplies may come under pressure if the season stays dry.
- Cereal hay: +/- $0 ($180 to $220/t). Prices remain steady this week.
- Lucerne hay: +/-$0 ($280 to $330/t). Prices remain steady this week.
- 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 some interest from exporters in mid-grade hay.
- The supplies of hay, particularly cereal hay are thought to be good coming into 2015.
- 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 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, prices remain unchanged.
- Pasture hay: +/-$0 ($150 to 180/t). Prices remain steady at present due to the limited trading.
Northwest Tasmania
- Tasmania is still experiencing a very patchy hay season in 2014/15 and overall production is below average.
- With hay yields reported to be down it is likely that the hay market will come under pressure if the season doesn’t improve in the coming months. Anyone looking to secure stocks of hay for the coming months is well advised to talk to suppliers now.
- 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.