National Summary
- The 2015 hay season is now underway in many parts of the country. So far 2015 has proved patchy for hay growers leading into the harvest, seeing some regions reporting a good year with average yields predicted, while others are looking at yields well below average.
- Interest in forward hay buying has been a notable trend in the market this week as buyers look at predictions for a less than favourable spring and summer ahead. Regular buyers and livestock businesses with a known need for hay are talking with growers to secure hay with stocks likely to be tight in 2016.
- The good grain prices currently on offer are seeing growers consider options to take crops through to grain rather than harvest for hay.
Northern Australia
- Tough conditions continue in many regions in the North, limiting pasture growth and seeing strong demand for any hay that is available.
- This is contrasted by other regions where an average oaten hay harvest is underway. Buyers are showing a preference for new season stock as it hits the market. It should be noted that much of this is has been pre purchased.
- There has been some commentary that prices may eases as grower’s sheds fill and any hay surplus to grower’s requirements is released onto the market however this has yet to impact prices.
Southern Australia
- There is a consistent trend occurring across all regions in Southern Australia of demand decreasing for fodder as warmer weather gives rise to increased pasture growth. Many dairy regions are looking to capitalise on this added growth by building feed wedges for both grazing and fodder conservation in the coming weeks.
- Generally fodder stocks are low across the South Eastern Australia and with a large volume likely to be bought off the back of the baler we may see hay store below average leading into 2016.
- NSW is generally experiencing a great season; this combined with the incentive of high grain prices has resulted in a number of growers considering taking crops intended for hay through to grain harvest.
- In contrast crops in Northern Victoria well down on average due to the dry growing season. In a number of regions cereal hay crops are looking so light that growers see limited value in cutting them, and instead will let them carry through for grain. It is unclear yet how much this will impact overall hay production.
Western Australia
- The Western Australian hay harvest has started and growers are positive about the quality and quantity of crops.While most export hay is already contracted domestic buyers are beginning talks with growers to secure hay for the season.
- There are reports coming out of WA of frost effected wheat crops but it is still too early to determine how extensive the damage is throughout the State and what impact this will have on hay stocks.
Regional Commentary
Atherton Tablelands
- Warmer conditions are still preventing any dryland pasture growth and the season seems to be coming to end.
- Due to dry conditions pasture growth has all but stopped except where irrigation is in use. This is resulting is a steep increase in hay prices as growers pass the costs of irrigation on to buyers.
- New season hay continues to be purchased by livestock businesses in the western part of the state, with large volumes of hay currently heading to these areas.
- There has been significant forward hay buying activity overall which has resulted in limited availability of new season hay and pushed prices up.
- Pasture hay: +$25 ($320 to $420/t). Prices have increased with stocks tightening and irrigators passing on operating costs to buyers.
Darling Downs
- The harvest of cereal crops continues in the region. Some growers are finishing up harvesting dedicated hay crops and the kind conditions has seen growers fill sheds and float excess product onto the spot market which has seen a reduction of cereal hay prices.
- Growers are continuing to take off barley crops and yields have been favourable.
- Demand remains strong for product as cattle businesses remain active in the spot market seeking large orders of hay.
- There was commentary from the market this week highlighting that straw prices are likely soften as the grain harvest begins.
- Cereal hay: -$20 (330 to $360/t). Prices softened this week as new seasons hay is moved onto the market.
- Lucerne hay: +/-$0 ($450 to $500/t). Prices remain steady 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
- Warmer conditions on the North Coast are allowing growers to cut for high quality silage as curing times are below normal.
- Demand remains low to date with favourable pasture growing conditions allowing farmers to graze paddocks rather than feeding hay.
- There has been some downwards pressure on cereal prices with the 2015 harvest in the horizon but this has not transferred through to any price reduction.
- The only price change recorded this week was lucerne. This is off the back of reduced demand with an increased focus on utilising paddock feed.
- Cereal hay: +/-$0 ($230 to $290/t). Prices remain steady this week.
- Lucerne hay: -$5 ($300 to $360/t). Prices have softened this week with reduced demand.
- Straw: $0 ($110 to $130/t). Prices remain steady this week.
- Pasture hay: +/-$0 N/A. Limited reports of trading in sufficient quantities to be able to determine a price.
Central West NSW
- Similar to other regions in NSW the first silage crops are being taken off and growers are impressed with yields.
- Growers in the region this week commented that cereal crops are shaping up to be the best in a decade, a comment that can be extended across most areas of NSW.
- With good pricing for grains significant consideration is being put to taking crops through to grain rather than cutting for hay. This may see a larger proportion of straw conserved and smaller volume hay baled.
- With ideal conditions for pasture growth, demand has been minimal as cattle farmers aim at utilising home grown feed.
- There have been reports of frost affected cereal crops being harvested this week. There was some concern about predicted frost events this week with canola flowering and grain filling. It is too soon to comment on any impact of frost affected crops to the region.
- Cereal hay: +/-$0 ($240 to $290/t). Prices remain steady this week with limited trading occurring.
- Lucerne hay: +/-$0 ($340 to $400/t). Prices remain steady this week.
- Straw: +/-$0 ($130 to 150/t). After slipping last week, prices remain steady.
- Pasture hay: +/-$0 N/A. There are no reports of pasture trading.
Bega Valley
- The hay market in Bega has been relatively static this week with farmers and contractors focusing on the silage harvest.
- Buyers are continuing talks with hay growers to secure stocks off the back of the baler.
- High prices for both hay and grain are resulting in farmers looking to harvest as much silage as possible on farm in an effort to reduce feed costs for 2016.
- Overall demand for fodder is slow at present due to good rainfall coming into spring.
- Cereal hay: +/-$0 ($270 to $300/t). Prices remain steady this week with minimal trading.
- Lucerne hay: +/-$0 ($330 to $380/t). Prices remain steady this week.
- Straw: +/-$0 ($180 to $190/t). After a reduction in straw prices last week prices remain steady.
- Pasture hay: +/-$0 ($240 to $260/t). Prices remain steady this week.
Goulburn/Murray Valley
- Warm conditions in the region have seen farmers and contractors continue with the silage harvest.
- The recent clear nights have seen some concern about frost however no damage has been confirmed yet.
- The harvesting of vetch crops continues in the North Western part of the state and it is expected that cutting oaten hay crops will be underway soon.
- There has been increased interest from dairy farmers for buying standing crops. This is driven by high water and fodder prices.
- Although many crops are looking below average, enticed by high grain prices, growers are considering options for taking them through to grain rather than cutting for hay.
- There is significant demand for new season hay with a large majority of product already purchased.
- It is unclear at this stage how much hay will be available for purchase in the region in 2016 given the predicted below average 2015 harvest coupled with the high amount of hay being contracted.
- Cereal hay: +/-$0 ($210 to $260/t). Prices remain steady this week.
- Lucerne hay: +/-$0 ($310 to $360/t). Prices remain steady this week.
- Straw: +/-$0 ($80 to $110/t). Straw remain steady this week.
- Pasture hay: +/-$0 ($150 to $180/t). Pricing remains steady this week.
Gippsland
- The trade of hay remains slow but consistent in Gippsland with farmers waiting for new season hay.
- Silage has begun in most parts of the region. However with the possibility of drier conditions ahead many farmers are concerned that they may only get one cut of silage or hay and are considering options to boost pasture growth.
- There has been increased interest from farmers to purchase standing crops in an effort to boost conserved feed stocks for 2016.
- Warmer conditions and good rainfall in the region have given rise to good pasture growth rates. This has seen farmers focus on grazing pasture rather than buying hay.
- Cereal hay: +/-$0 ($240 to $300/t). Prices remain steady this week.
- Lucerne hay: +/-$0 ($350 to $410/t). Prices remain steady this week.
- Straw: +/-$0 ($120 to $150/t). Prices remain steady this week.
- Pasture hay: +/-$0 ($180 to $240/t). Prices remain steady this week.
Southwest Victoria
- Farmers are taking advantage of warmer conditions to harvest silage around the region.
- Hay growers in north western Victoria are now baling vetch crops. Yields are patchy with some growers are reporting average yields, others are reporting much lower than average yields.
- While most crop yields have been down for the 2015 season, the hay that is coming off is high quality.
- Growers and contractors have highlighted that vetch hay has started trading at $250 a tonne off the back of the baler and it is likely that this will increase as demand lifts.
- With the hay harvest underway many buyers and traders are sitting out of the spot market in anticipation of what the 2015 harvest will bring.
- Cereal hay: +/-$0 ($220 to $240/t). Prices remain steady this week with limited trading.
- Lucerne hay: +/-$0 ($310 to $350/t). Prices remain steady this week.
- Straw: +/-$0 ($100 to $120/t). Prices remain steady this week.
- Pasture hay: +/-$0 ($180 to $230/t). Prices remain steady this week.
Southeast South Australia
- A lack of interest in hay is applying consistent downwards pressure on prices for cereal hay. This same pressure has been applied to lucerne and prices have reduced as a result.
- There have been some reports of lucerne prices softening as new season vetch is made accessible to livestock businesses.
- Farmers along coastal areas continue to focus on silage. Some farmers are applying fertiliser to pastures in an attempt to get a second cut before warmer conditions set in.
- With the hay season not too far away many buyers and sellers are sitting out of the market in anticipation of the 2015 hay harvest.
- Cereal hay: +/-$0 ($220 to $280/t). Prices remain steady this week with limited trading noted.
- Lucerne hay: -$5 ($290 to $350/t). Prices have come back this week as some dairy farmer have started cheap vetch as a protein source.
- Straw: +/-$0 ($110 to $130/t). Prices remain steady this week.
- Pasture hay: +/-$0 ($180 to $240/t). Prices remain steady this week.
Central South Australia
- The majority of the harvest is underway and growers have highlighted strong yields from this season crops. Harvest is slightly ahead of schedule this year assisted by strong warm Central Australian winds.
- There is a small amount of interest from domestic buyers but it is predictable that this demand will increase as further oaten crops are baled.
- With stocks of cereal hay low throughout the region farmers have indicated that good yields will replenish local stocks.
- There are still no reports of pasture hay trading in Central South Australia as most buyers seek cereal hay crops with preference.
- Overall the market can be described as static with most buyers and sellers focusing on the harvest.
- Cereal hay: +/-$0 ($220 to $280/t). Prices remain steady this week with minimal trading.
- Lucerne hay: +/-$0 ($280 to $340/t). Prices remain steady this week.
- Straw: +/-$0 ($120 to $130/t). Prices remain steady this week.
- Pasture hay: N/A. No reported trading.
Southwest Western Australia
- There seems to be a large variation of crop yields in WA with yields both above average and also poor in some areas.
- The harvest is underway with early sown crops first to be taken off. It is likely that the bulk of harvest will begin within the next two weeks.
- Growers have indicated that both the quality and quantity of the crops are good this year with warmer weather allowing good finishing conditions.
- With good prices for grains it is still likely a number of growers will take some oaten crops through for grain rather than cutting for hay.
- Interest from the domestic front remains minimal however some large cattle businesses have been talking with growers to secure feed.
- No price changes were recorded due to minimal trading. However with new seasons product becoming available to both domestic buyers and exporters it is like that there will be prices movement in the coming weeks.
- Cereal hay: +/-$0 ($200 to $220/t). Prices remain steady.
- 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.
Northwest Tasmania
- Demand slowed this week as recent rainfall and warmer days has seen pasture growth improve.
- Contractors in Tasmania have commented that the silage harvest will begin soon. There has also been a significant amount of interest in spring sowing to increase on farm fodder stocks.
- Stocks of all fodder types are low in the region with protein hay the most difficult to procure.
- With demand for fodder decreasing on the back of favourable pasture conditions, prices for pasture hay have eased.
- Cereal hay: +/-$0 ($240 to $280/t). Prices remain steady this week.
- Lucerne hay: +/-$0 ($310 to $350/t). Prices remain steady this week.
- Straw: +/-$0 ($170 to $200/t). Prices remain steady this week.
- Pasture hay: -$15 ($180 to $240/t). Prices have softened this week with low quality pasture hay available and reduced demand.