National Summary
- Warm climatic conditions across Southern Australia last week has seen the hay harvest brought forward sooner than expected and contractors and growers are have highlighted that the season will be short for 2015.
- Buyers that have secured hay stocks pre harvest are better positioned following tough growing conditions resulting in poor yielding crops. With this said there are opportunities for farmers with known feed hay needs for 2016 to secure product now at competitive prices.
- It should be noted with the harvest ongoing in all states there are a range of prices being reported as new season hay hits the market and as buyers and sellers enter negotiations.
Northern Australia
- Warm conditions in Northern areas continues to prevent significant pasture growth. Growers in these areas are using irrigation to carry pastures through for further cuts of hay.
- In contrast to this, Southern areas of QLD while still enduring dry conditions are producing good quality hay crops. With yields slightly above average livestock businesses are continuing to transport hay into feedlots and grazing areas in the west of the state.
- While there is a range of pricing for new season hay there is a general trend of downwards pressure on these prices as greater hay stocks become available to buyers. This may present an opportunity for businesses to purchase hay and competitive prices.
Southern Australia
- Southern Australia is showing large areas of contrast with a near record hay and grain harvest predicted for NSW while Victoria is suffering from failed crops in hay growing regions.
- NSW has begun its harvest and growers remain positive of overall yields. With good growing season rains almost all cereal crops will be carried through to grain with only a small number baled following some frost damage.
- Victoria and Tasmania have experienced tough growing conditions throughout the year and large areas of northern Victoria have cut failed crops after unseasonably warm conditions last week. While this is resulting in a spread of cereal hay prices, buyers should not expect a state wide decline of hay prices with yields well below average.
- Tasmania is experiencing a “green drought” following one of the driest winters on record. This has motivated dairy farmers to talk with hay growers in order to secure animal feed stock for 2016 off the back of the baler.
Western Australia
- The harvest in WA is continuing and first baled crops have confirmed yields well above average. Hay quality has also been high following relatively dry conditions in the last three weeks.
- Exporters are moving large volumes of hay in for processing and sheds are being filled with new season hay. With favourable conditions predicted into next week, the WA hay harvest progressing well.
Regional Commentary
Atherton Tablelands
- Dry conditions continue to prevent pasture growth except where irrigation is in use. This is maintaining hay prices as growers pass the costs of irrigation on to buyers.
- Beef farmers in the west of the state continue to be some of the largest buyers of new seasons hay with limited pasture available.
- Smaller acreage farmers are purchasing larger quantities of new season hay due to shortages earlier in the season.
- Pasture hay: +/-$0 ($330 to $420/t). Prices remain unchanged this week.
Darling Downs
- The harvest is continuing in the Darling Downs region with cereal crops continuing to be taken off.
- Dedicated hay crops are also being harvested and growers have been satisfied with yields on the back of a challenging season.
- With new seasons hay becoming available to buyers, price reductions have been recorded across most fodder products with the exception of straw.
- Some patchy rainfall along the coastal areas has seen greater pasture growth which has seen dairy businesses focus on paddock feed rather than feeding hay.
- Demand remains steady in the region as cattle businesses remain active in the spot market seeking large orders of hay.
- There was commentary from the market this week highlighting that further price reductions for cereal hay may occur in the coming weeks as a higher volume becomes accessible to buyers.
- Cereal hay: -$20 (310 to $340/t). Prices continue to soften this week as new seasons hay is moved onto the market.
- Lucerne hay: -$15 ($440 to $480/t). Price reductions have been recorded this week as new season lucerne hay is harvest.
- Straw: +/-$0 ($170 to $190/t). Prices remain steady this week.
- Pasture hay: -$5 ($270 to $310/t). Pasture hay prices have reduced with week due to availability of new season hay.
North Coast NSW
- The majority of cereals have been harvested in North Coast NSW and growers and contractors have highlighted that only 20% of cereals remain.
- Storms and rainfall is disrupting the harvest and this may also impact on some hay quality. Buyers are advised to inspect hay where available.
- The quality of the hay in the region has been good but prices have not reduced with sufficient demand for surplus hay in the spot market.
- Rhodes grass in coming into season where irrigation is available and with good summer rainfall there may be a greater volume available to buyers towards the end of 2015.
- Lucerne producers are coming around to second cuts of hay and both quality and quantity has been slightly above average.
- There were also scattered reports this week of new season pasture hay trading.
- Demand from local feedlots and larger beef businesses in central NSW and QLD have support a slight price rise for cereal hay.
- Cereal hay: +$10 ($250 to $290/t). Steady demand for new season hay has seen a rise in cereal hay.
- Lucerne hay: -$5 ($300 to $350/t). A reduction was recorded this week with sellers making second cut lucerne available to buyers.
- Straw: $0 ($110 to $130/t). Prices remain steady this week.
- Pasture hay: +/-$0 (130 to 150/t). Reports have come in this week of new season pasture hay trading.
Central West NSW
- The cutting of cereal hay continues. A favourable season is resulting in record crops of cereal and hay production.
- Recent dry, hot weather has seen contractors and grower rushing to capture quality with a small window of opportunity predicted.
- As buyers opt for higher quality new season hay, lower quality product is being made available at a reduced price. This has resulted in prices softening.
- Export hay businesses remain competitive for new seasons hay.
- With kind weather conditions pastures production has been strong but with hot weather consistent at present it is expected that the demand for new hay will rise.
- It is likely that the low acreage that will be cut for hay crops will be offset by the high volumes predicted.
- Cereal hay: -$10 ($220 to $290/t). Prices have softened this week after new season stock comes into the market.
- Lucerne hay: +/-$0 ($340 to $400/t). Prices remain steady this week.
- Straw: +/-$0 ($130 to 150/t). Prices remain steady this week.
- Pasture hay: +/-$0 N/A. There are no reports of pasture trading.
Bega Valley
- The hay market in Bega has continued to be relatively static this week with farmers and contractors focusing on the silage harvest.
- Buyers are talking with hay growers in the Northern and Western areas of the state to secure stocks off the back of the baler.
- Some growers have tried to cut hay but rainfall is causing issues for quality.
- Commentary from the market has indicated that this year has been one of the best seasons for pasture production and silage conservation. It is expected that a near recorded amount of silage will be harvested.
- 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). Prices remain steady
- Pasture hay: +/-$0 ($240 to $260/t). Prices remain steady this week.
Goulburn/Murray Valley
- Hot and dry condition last week has seen farmers opting to cut a large volume of cereal crops for hay.
- The quality of this hay has been testing well but with low yields any price declines are unlikely.
- High temperatures have assisted drying times for hay but with some grain still in the boot, growers are encouraged to monitor moisture levels.
- Vetch hay has yielded low this season with adverse growing conditions. This is supporting firm pricing parameters.
- High water prices and the possibility of hot and dry conditions for summer have seen dairy farmers reconsidering summer forage crop option.
- It should be noted that there has been reports of a large variation of prices as some growers sell hay quickly to cover costs but also have access to limited shedding. This may present some opportunities for buyers if they can source this hay.
- Cereal hay: -$55 ($160 to $200/t). Prices have significantly reduced this week as a large volume of cereal hay is made available to buyers.
- Lucerne hay: -$15 ($280 to $340/t). Prices have declined this week as growers harvest lucerne crops.
- Straw: +/-$0 ($80 to $110/t). Straw remain steady this week.
- Pasture hay: -$5 ($150 to $170/t). Prices have declined this week as buyer take a preference for cereal hay.
Gippsland
- The trade of hay remains slow but consistent in Gippsland with farmers waiting for new season hay.
- Weather conditions have seen a very short silage season with plants maturing much earlier than expected. This will reduce the amount of fodder conserved on farm.
- The unseasonal growing conditions for spring has seen a greater interest in fodder markets by dairy farmers with some concern of a shortfall of animal feed requirements for 2016.
- Contractors are also kept busy by the sharp rise in demand for summer crop plantings.
- Some price reductions have been noted this week but transportation costs are preventing any large scale declines.
- Cereal hay: -$30 ($220 to $260/t). Prices have declined this week due to the availability of new season hay.
- Lucerne hay: -$30 ($310 to $380/t). Prices have declined this week with competitive prices for new season product and some farmers opting for vetch hay.
- Straw: +/-$0 ($120 to $150/t). Prices remain steady this week.
- Pasture hay: -$20 ($160 to $220/t). Prices have declined this week with buyer taking preference of cereal hay and pasture hay becoming more widely available.
Southwest Victoria
- Dairy farmers are continuing the silage harvest and with recent light rainfall there is a possibility for a second cut if farmers went early with their first.
- Hot and dry conditions last week have seen a large volume of cereal crops cut for hay and this may present an opportunity for buyer to secure product at competitive prices.
- The quality of this hay has been testing well but with low yields large price declines are unlikely.
- With crops maturing early contractors and growers have been busy in order to capture quality.
- Forward orders are being filled and hay is also moving into storage for exporters.
- Commentary has emerged that the season is shaping up to short with the majority of Victoria’s hay likely to be baled by the end of the week.
- Price changes have been noted this week as the harvest continues in Western Victoria.
- Cereal hay: -$30 ($180 to $220/t). Prices have significantly reduced this week as a large volume of cereal hay is made available to buyers.
- Lucerne hay: -$20 ($280 to $340/t). Prices have declined this week as growers harvest lucerne crops.
- Straw: +/-$0 ($110 to $120/t). Prices remain steady this week.
- Pasture hay: -$5 ($180 to $220/t). Prices have reduced this week as 2015 hay becomes available.
Southeast South Australia
- There has been commentary from the market highlighting that the season will be finishing one month ahead of schedule this year.
- Similar to Northern Victoria the harvest is coming in all at once and growers and contractors are working long hours to capture crop quality.
- Dedicated hay crops have been cut with most already baled and transported into sheds or to buyers.
- Some frost effect crop around areas of Boardertown are being baled and transport to livestock businesses.
- Dairy businesses along coastal areas are continuing to take silage off paddocks and plant summer crops. Silage conservation is likely to wrap up in the next couple of weeks with hot dry conditions predicted.
- Cereal hay: -$5 ($200 to $280/t). Prices have declined this week with 2015 hay being baled.
- Lucerne hay: -$10 ($280 to $340/t). Prices have come back this week with competitive prices for vetch hay influencing sellers to drop prices.
- Straw: +/-$0 ($110 to $130/t). Prices remain steady this week.
- Pasture hay: -$10 ($160 to $240/t). Prices have declined this week as buyer opt for cereal hay.
Central South Australia
- Hot and dry conditions in the last two weeks has seen a short season to the Central South Australian region.
- Exporters are taking in hay and filling up sheds.
- There has been significant competition for higher quality hay among exporters and overall prices for hay have been fair.
- Overall growers have been positive about both the quality and quantity of 2015 crops however there are isolated areas in the region that missed timely rain and have performed poorly.
- There has been larger than expected crops baled following frost damage two weeks ago. Some of this hay will be taken in by exporters and some will be moved onto the domestic market.
- Domestic demand has been minimal but this is expected for this time of the year.
- Cereal hay: -$20 ($200 to $260/t). Prices have declined this week with the 2016 harvest coming to a close.
- Lucerne hay: -$10 ($280 to $320/t). Prices reduced this week with new season lucerne hay available.
- Straw: +/-$0 ($120 to $130/t). Prices remain steady this week.
- Pasture hay: N/A. No reported trading.
Southwest Western Australia
- The harvest is well underway in Western Australia and bale numbers are confirming the hopes of growers with some commentary highlighting a record season in areas.
- New season hay that is being harvested is testing well and exporters have been satisfied with the large volume of higher quality hay baled.
- Exporters are moving hay into processing plants and filling up sheds.
- There seems to be a spread of new season lucerne prices however a general trend of a price reduction has been noted.
- Interest from the domestic front remains minimal however some large cattle businesses have been talking with growers to secure feed off the back of balers.
- Cereal hay: -$10 ($180 to $220/t). Prices have declined this week following the baling of new seasons hay.
- Lucerne hay: -$15 ($470 to $520/t). There is a spread of prices for lucerne but there is downwards pressure for pricing with new season product available.
- Straw: +/-$0 ($90 to $110/t). Prices remain steady this week.
- Pasture hay: +/-$0 ($160 to 200/t). Prices remain steady.
Northwest Tasmania
- Grower and contractors have described the current condition in Tasmania as the “green drought” with pastures green but no significant growth available.
- Such challenging conditions have seen dairy farmers talking with fodder growers to secure hay for 2016.
- Contractors have started on some silage crops in dairy regions and yields have been below average with insufficient rainfall throughout the growing season.
- Contractors have also been receiving a sharp rise in demand for over sowing as livestock farmers aim at building feed stocks with spring cereals.
- Demand for hay is increasing and so too are prices with farmers weary of the likelihood of low stocks carried into next year.
- Cereal hay: +$5 ($240 to $280/t). Prices have increased with demand high.
- Lucerne hay: +$8 ($325 to $350/t). Prices have increased with limited lucerne available.
- Straw: +/-$0 ($170 to $200/t). Prices remain steady this week.
- Pasture hay: +$20 ($200 to $260/t). Prices have increased this week after strong demand and little paddock feed for livestock.