National Summary
- There have been limited movements in the hay market around Australia this week. Levels of interest are varying significantly from region to region and the few price increases are linked to lower than average hay stocks. Fodder stocks nationally are under pressure and low volumes are the norm with the exception being some areas of Northern Australia. Overall buyers’ willingness to purchase has plateaued but inquiries are strong.
- In southern states the interest for straw increased as dairy farmers prepare for calving cow rations and look at carrying dry cows through winter.
- There were patchy rains across the eastern states last week. While it varied from region to region, typically the grain growing regions received more rain than coastal areas.
- WA hay markets are holding strong with no price movements reported. Already elevated market prices for hay are prompting traders to travel significant distances to secure fodder.
Northern Australia
- Even with irrigators watering crops in the Atherton region no price rise was expressed in the spot market.
- Welcomed rains in Queensland and areas of NSW have given a reprieve for cattle farmers but further falls will be needed to fill dams.
Southern Australia
- A decline in interest for both protein and cereal hay has been noted this week with buyers resistance to high prices being the key contributing factor. The fall in cereal and protein hay markets has been compensated with a surge in straw procurement as famrers prepare calving and dry cow rations.
- Good rainfall in most areas of Southern Australia has lifted farmer confidence, arriving just in time for many grain and hay growers.
- Demand from the dairy sector is continuing to be the biggest price influence in hay markets as farmers use home grown feed in preference to buying in hay.
Western Australia
- Exporters continue to pursue hay stocks in Western Australia. Chaff mills and animal feed processors are also competing for product but low volumes of viable fodder is making buying options complex. Some traders have flagged that they are sourcing hay over 300 km away and this cost will more than likely to be passed on to buyers. However this is yet to be seen in the market.
- Favourable growing conditions and adequate rains have further cemented farmer confidence in the coming hay season.
Regional Commentary
Atherton Tablelands
- Irrigation has been switched on this week and there is talk of farmers passing these costs on to buyers.
- The interest in fodder remains low at present however hay is still being transported into drought affected areas.
- Pasture hay: +/-$0 ($280 to $320/t). No change this week.
Darling Downs
- No change in interest in the hay market from last week.
- Stocks are low throughout the region with some suppliers commenting that they are down to their last loads of cereal hay.
- The market for cereal hay is competitive for buyers.
- Stocks of protein hay are becoming low, given the continued demand; this trend is expected to continue.
- With temperatures falling the interest for straw is picking up however this is yet to transfer into a price rise.
- Cereal hay: +/-$0 (350 to $380/t). The price remains steady this week dispite strong competition from buyers.
- Lucerne hay: +/-$0 ($450 to $500/t). Prices firm this week.
- Straw: +/-$0 ($170 to $190/t). Prices remain steady this week.
- Pasture hay: +/-$0 ($270 to $310/t). Prices remain steady this week.
North Coast NSW
- Good rains of up to 45 mm in some areas over the past two weeks have kept farmer confidence high.
- Buyers are looking for protein hay as prices for cereal hay remain high.
- Overall the season has been favourable for farmers on the North Coast NSW.
- Cereal hay: +/-$0 ($230 to $290/t). Prices remain steady this week.
- Lucerne hay: +/-$0 ($300 to $370/t). Prices remain steady this week.
- Straw: +/-$0 ($120 to $160/t). Prices are steady but are based on limited trading.
- Pasture hay: +/-$0 N/A. Few reports of trading in sufficient quantities to be able to determine a price.
Central West NSW
- Due to rain in NSW and QLD, demand for cereal hay has increased. This is into both coastal dairy areas and livestock regions of QLD.
- Stocks of cereal and protein hay are starting to become tighter.
- Buyers may find it harder to source large volumes of quality hay.
- Good quality cereal hay is becoming hard to find and has experienced some price rises accordingly.
- Cereal hay: +$10 ($240 to $280/t). Prices have increased on the back of low volumes and a higher number of buyers in the market.
- Lucerne hay: +$5 ($340 to $400/t). \The price range has tightened due to falling stocks of protein hay.
- Straw: +/-$0 N/A. There are no reports of straw being traded this week, 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
- The fodder market in the Bega region remains unchanged due to good seasonal conditions.
- Corn and grass silage is being traded on a localised level but these sales are not impacting the hay market.
- Farmers are still utilising on farm fodder stocks rather than buying in hay. Most dairy farmers are reporting having considerable on farm fodder stocks.
- There has been limited interest in cereal hay.
- There was a report that the region has not seen such favourable conditions since 2004.
- Cereal hay: +/-$0 ($270 to $300/t). Prices remain steady this week.
- Lucerne hay: +/-$0 ($350 to $390/t). Prices remain steady this week.
- Straw: +/-$0 ($180 to $200/t). Straw prices remain steady but supplies are low.
- Pasture hay: +/-$0 ($240 to $260/t). Prices remain steady this week.
Goulburn/Murray Valley
- 15 mm of rain in the last two weeks has lifted the outlook for growers after below average rainfalls for autumn.
- Demand for cereal hay remains strong with both beef and dairy farmers looking for feed.
- Buyers currently have a preference for cereal hay as the high pricing for protein hay seems to be a deterrent.
- Supply of protein and cereal hay is becoming low and buyers with known requirements are encouraged to purchase sooner rather than later.
- There has been an increased level of interest in the straw market this week. This has been attributed to farmers looking for a roughage source to carry cows through winter.
- The slow start to the 2015 growing season is hinting at a lower than average hay harvest.
- Cereal hay: +$15 ($210 to $240/t). Prices lifted as stocks become tighter. Prices vary and are dependent on quality.
- Lucerne hay: +$5 ($300 to $330/t). $5 price rise from mid point due to declining stocks.
- Straw: +/-$0 ($90 to $110/t). Prices remain steady as.
- Pasture hay: +/-$0 ($150 to $180/t). Pricing remains steady this week.
Gippsland
- Cereal hay supplies in Gippsland are tightening which is forcing farmers to seek cost effective substitute – pasture hay. Such interest has maintained pasture hay prices.
- The recent rise in cereal hay prices has seen interest from farmers plateau.
- Straw trade is picking up as farmers are incorporating the roughage into cattle rations.
- Summer silage stores are almost, if not all gone in most areas of Gippsland. Farmers are weighing up fodder hay prices versus fertilisers to grow feed at home. This has keep hay prices static.
- Cereal hay: +/-$0 ($240 to $280/t). Prices remain steady this week.
- Lucerne hay: +/-$0 ($360 to $380/t). Prices remain steady this week.
- Straw: +/$0 ($120 to $150/t). Prices remain steady this week.
- Pasture hay: +/-$0 ($180 to $230/t). Prices remain steady this week.
Southwest Victoria
- There has been an increase in pasture hay trade as moderate rainfall throughout the Southwest encourages more buyers in to the market.
- The demand for cereal hay remains steady however there is a growing interest in straw as buyers look for a cheaper options.
- Interest in protein hay has fallen this week but low stocks have buffered any price depreciation. This price buffering can also be applied for cereal hay, and even straw.
- In the Wimmera growers are reported to be increasing the areas sown to vetch hoping to take advantage of the strong domestic pricing. It is too early to say what impact this will the 2015 vetch hay harvest.
- Good pasture growth over the past month has seen farmers utilise home grown pasture in preference to purchasing hay.
- Cereal hay: +/-$0 ($240 to $260/t). Prices remain steady this week.
- Lucerne hay: +/-$0 ($310 to $350/t). Remain steady this week.
- Straw: +/-$0 ($120 to $140/t). Prices remain steady this week.
- Pasture hay: +/-$0 ($180 to $220/t). Prices remain steady this week.
Southeast South Australia
- The market in Southeast South Australia has been best described in one word: “slow”.
- Stocks of high quality hay are low as is general interest.
- Protein hay is being sourced into the region from Victoria.
- Demand for straw has remained steady this week as dairy farms prepare for calving.
- Cereal hay: +/-$0 ($230 to $260/t). Interest in cereal hay remains steady.
- Lucerne hay: +/-$0 ($300 to $340/t). Prices remain steady.
- Straw: +/-$0 ($110 to $130/t). Prices remain steady this week.
- Pasture hay: +/-$0 ($180 to $220/t). Holding steady with adequate stores.
Central South Australia
- Recent rains of up to 15 mm have given farmers a reason to smile.
- Exporters continue to be active in the market seeking high quality cereal hay.
- Feed lots buyers have been active in the market, lifting the confidence of sellers.
- Stocks in the region remain below average for the time of year.
- Regardless of the interest of both exporters and feed lots, the predicted price rise has not yet come to fruition.
- Cereal hay: +/-$0 ($200 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. Market interest rising though.
- Pasture hay: N/A. No reported trading.
Southwest Western Australia
- Again this week, pellet and chaff mills are supporting prices for both protein and some cereal hays.
- Due to the low volume available, buyers will be required to transport hay further than typical for WA. This is expected to see a price change soon.
- Overall stocks of cereal hay, especially high quality , are low.
- Cereal hay: +/-$0 ($190 to $210/t). Prices remain steady this week.
- Lucerne hay: +/-$0 ($490 to $530/t). Prices remain steady this week.
- Straw: +/-$0 ($90 to $110/t). Prices remain steady this week.
- Pasture hay: +/-$0 ($160 to 200/t). Prices remain steady this week despite strong competition.
Northwest Tasmania
- Dry conditions in the Northern region of Tasmania continue to dictate markets.
- Interest in straw is on the rise as farmers look for dry cow feed.
- With rainfall events far and few between and cool conditions setting in, the market is receiving more interest in hay as farmers weigh up their feed options.
- Cereal hay: +/-$0 ($230 to $250/t). Prices remain steady this week with good demand.
- Lucerne hay: +/-$0 ($310 to $330/t). Prices remain steady this week.
- Straw: +/-$0 ($170 to $190/t). Prices remain steady with no report of trade in straw.
- Pasture hay: +/-$0 ($170 to $190/t). Prices remain steady this week.