National Summary
- Relatively quiet trading conditions persist in the hay market this week across the northern, southern and western regions.
- Many areas across the South have had some rain which has resulted in paddock feed availability being better than is typically experienced at this time of year. This seems to be causing many buyers to delay hay purchasing decisions. The key exception to this is chaff mills continuing to actively seek high grade lucerne and oaten hay.
- Proactive sellers in some regions are reporting having sold or forward contracted all of their hay. Anyone looking to buy hay in the coming season should contact their trusted hay supplier to secure supply.
Northern Australia
- Optimism for the season ahead in the North continues following the summer rains with both crops and pastures benefiting.
- Demand for hay has been relatively flat for the past month; however enquiries for cereal hay are on the rise. There is still interest in high quality hay, and as always there is keen interest in protein hay.
- Hay prices in South East Queensland are holding and are likely to remain this way thanks to the firm cattle prices.
Southern Australia
- Many people who would typically be buying hay at this time of year are taking advantage of the available paddock feed and the Victorian market can be described as ‘static’. However, in southern NSW prices have drifted, with reports of pasture and cereal hay trading slightly lower.
- Sporadic rain over the past fortnight across several southern regions has resulted in continued on-farm fodder conservation.
Western Australia
- Cereal hay supplies are about average at present thanks to a good hay season in the key export hay growing regions. Steady supply and steady prices are keeping the market in equilibrium.
- Lucerne availability continues to be very limited in the west.
Regional Commentary
- The hay market remains generally quiet.
- Not much trade in hay to report and hay cutting is sporadic depending on conditions. Trade expected to increase within the next month.
- Pasture hay: +/-$0 ($280 to $320/t). Prices remain steady.
Darling Downs
- Prices for hay and straw are holding firm due to low supplies following last year’s dry conditions.
- There has been a lull in sales, but we are now starting to see the market pick up again, particularly in the chaff market.
- Strengthening cattle prices and ongoing feedlot demand are contributing to an optimistic outlook among sellers for the season ahead.
- Cereal hay: +/- $0 ($380 to $400/t). Prices remain steady this week.
- Lucerne hay: +/-$0 ($450 to $500/t). The market for lucerne hay remains firm but steady. Lack of supply expected to keep prices steady.
- Straw: +/- $0 ($180 to $200/t). Prices remain steady this week with limited reports of trading.
- Pasture hay: +/- $0 ($380 to $420/t). Prices are speculative at this stage as we are yet to receive solid reports of sales of new season hay.
North Coast NSW
- Following a relatively good summer growing season we are receiving reports of lower prices in the market this week. This is reflecting the need of some growers to start shifting hay stocks.
- The lucerne trade is easing but the demand for high quality chaffing hay is still strong.
- Rain during baling has caused occasional patchiness in quality and, as always, to ensure you get the quality you expect buyers are advised to use a trusted hay supplier.
- Cereal hay: -$30 ($240 to $280/t). Prices have come back in the past couple of weeks.
- Lucerne hay: – $30 ($300-$370/t). Prices have come back a little.
- Straw: +/-$0 ($120 to $160/t). Prices are steady but are based on limited trading.
- Pasture hay: +/-$0 N/A. Only limited pasture hay available at present and very few reports of trading in bulk quantities.
Central West NSW
- The quiet trading conditions of January and February continued this week, with many buyers focusing on utilising available paddock feed rather than buying hay.
- With the perception that some areas are beginning to dry off, fodder orders are now being placed. This may lead to price changes in the coming weeks.
- Most hay stocks are good at present, with the exception of lucerne, which continues to be in short supply. At the same time chaff mills continue to be active buyers of high grade lucerne hay.
- Cereal hay: +/- $0 ($220 to $250/t). Prices remain steady this week.
- Lucerne hay: – $5 ($290 to $400/t). Prices slightly lower this week reflecting wider range of quality on offer.
- 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
- Good growing conditions on the south coast have resulted in the demand for hay continuing to be slow.
- Overall good stocks of cereal hay are available in the Bega Valley region.
- Again it is noted that supplies of lucerne hay are low in most parts of eastern Australia, particularly in the dry land production areas, and supplies are likely to be tight later in the year. Buyers seeking protein hay are encouraged to lock in their requirements earlier rather than later.
- Cereal hay: -$20 ($260 to $300/t). Cereal hay prices have eased slightly due to continued low demand and plentiful supply.
- 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: -$20 ($240 to $260/t). Pasture hay prices also easing on slow demand. >
Goulburn/Murray Valley
- Cooler than average conditions through January and into February continue to put downward pressure on the demand for hay, although prices are holding steady.
- Lucerne growers are satisfied overall with hay quality this season, and are expecting another cut over the next month.
- The outlook on the coming maize harvest remains positive with continuing good growing conditions.
- Cereal hay: +/- $0 ($200 to $240/t). Prices remain steady this week.
- Lucerne hay: +/-$0 ($280 to $320/t). Prices remain steady with high grade lucerne fetching a premium.
- Straw: +/-$0 ($90 to $110/t). Prices remain steady as trading is limited.
- Pasture hay: +/-$0 ($150 to $170/t). Prices continue to remain steady.
Gippsland
- The hay market for the past fortnight has been described as static. There has been some interest in protein hay but generally the trade remains slow.
- Fodder conservation continues in Gippsland with growers looking to build up silage stocks.
- Favourable growing conditions have resulted in a good hay harvest across most of the region and 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). There is some indication that prices are starting to ease due to the slowing demand.
- Straw: +/-$0 ($110 to $130/t). Trading is slow and prices remain steady this week.
- Pasture hay: -$10 ($180 to $220/t). Prices slightly lower, driven down by decreased demand.
Southwest Victoria
- The hay market continues to be extremely quiet this week with prices remaining steady.
- Rainfall towards the end of the summer season has continued to benefit pasture growth and therefore reduce the demand for purchased feed.
- There continues to be some interest in 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
- There has been very little movement in the hay market during the past fortnight with many buyers already having made purchases of fodder for later in the year.
- High quality hay is still proving difficult to source. The low stocks of available hay are driven by the combination of many buyers sourcing hay early and dry conditions driving down yields. Overall this has resulted in prices remaining firm.
- Overall supplies are below average for this time of year, with lucerne hay remaining in short 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 quality of new season hay is good but yields are down.
- The hay market remains slow at present, although exporters are continuing to make enquiries for additional cereal hay.
- Many hay growers are reporting that much of their hay is either sold or under contract. This suggests that hay availability may come under pressure later in the year.
- 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.
Southwest Western Australia
- Prices for domestic hay remain steady at present.
- Spring rains caused some quality issues but there is plenty of high quality hay still available.
- Prices for high quality chaffing hay continue to hold.
- 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 ($90 to $110/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
- Hay supply remains tight in northern Tasmania.
- Buyers looking to secure stocks of hay for the coming months are advised to talk to suppliers now or run the risk of having supply issues.
- 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 are steady.
- 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.