National Summary
- After what was widely noted as being perfect fodder harvesting conditions in many areas the weather has reminded us of the frustrations that can come from making hay and silage. There are increasing areas where weather damage has impacted hay quality, and accordingly this is starting to see some cheaper fodder hit the market.
Northern Australia
- The recent rains which delivered relief to many growers in the Darling Downs has continued and in some parts storms have caused severe damage to hay. This has resulted in a division in hay quality, with the hay baled after the rains generally being of lower quality.
- There is a general trend across the Norther fodder markets that trading is quiet and prices are expected to remain steady for the coming weeks.
Southern Australia
- After the season start of nothing but high grade fodder we are now seeing some weather damaged hay hit the market, particularly in North Eastern Victoria and Southeast South Australia.
- This has resulted in some discounted hay hitting the market although it is yet to have any significant impact on hay pricing.
- Dry conditions continue in Gippsland and Tasmania with little relief in sight for farmers. With below average production in both regions there is a general focus from buyers on securing fodder for the season ahead.
Western Australia
- The demand for export hay continues to underpin the domestic oaten hay price. It should however be noted there is a significant volume of feed grain on the market. This is likely to provide dairy and livestock farmers with alternate feed options and therefore to keep a lid on the domestic hay price.
Regional Commentary
Atherton Tablelands
- Prices eased this week on the back of the good supply of Rhodes grass hay available at present and good availability of paddock feed.
- Sales have been strong to farmers who are weaning cattle and in general beef producers continue to be active buyers.
- Rains over the past week have had a negative impact on fodder quality.
- Pasture hay: -$30 ($300 to $380/t). Prices have come back due to reduced demand for purchased fodder.
>Darling Downs
- Scattered storms have had a varied impact across the region with some areas recoding heavy rain damage while others had far less.
- Not a lot of hay is moving about in the region, with the majority of it being straw heading to feed lots off the back of continued strong beef prices.
- Growers are once again expecting that there will not be excess hay in the region despite the rains that have delivered some relief from dryer conditions.
- Many growers are now shifting their focus and sowing summer crops such as sorghum.
- Cereal hay: +/-$0 ($300 to $340/t). Prices remain steady this weak after weakening in previous weeks due to rain.
- Lucerne hay: +/-$0 ($430 to $480/t). Prices remain steady this week.
- Straw: +/-$0 ($140 to $180/t). Prices remain steady this week.
- Pasture hay: +/-$0 ($270 to $310/t). Prices remain steady this week.
North Coast NSW
- The hay market remains generally quiet and oaten hay has experienced some downward pressure pricewise. This is attributed to the good pasture availability limiting the need to buy in fodder.
- Regular storms on the North Coast have continued to make for challenging hay making weather. Careful inspection of hay prior to purchase is recommended, due to the potential for some weather damaged hay in the market.
- Demand from local feedlots and larger beef businesses in central NSW and QLD has remained steady, providing regular orders for sellers.
- Lucerne hay production continues with growers reporting that both quality and quantity are slightly above average. Some growers are also currently cutting Rhodes grass.
- Cereal hay: -$0 ($250 to $290/t). Prices remain steady this week
- Lucerne hay: +/-$0 ($300 to $350/t). Prices remain steady this week.
- Straw: +/-$0 ($110 to $130/t). Prices remain steady this week.
- Pasture hay: +/-$0 (130 to 150/t). Prices remain steady this week.
Central West NSW
- Reports indicate a big split in the quality of hay in this region, reflecting the fodder baled before and after the recent rainfall events. Potential buyers are urged to feed test hay and/or use a trusted hay supplier to help guarantee quality.
- There is discussion indicating weather damaged hay will be available from prices as low as $100/t but this is having limited impact on the market as yet.
- While there is continuing demand for oaten hay from the export buyers, generally demand is limited to regular buyers keeping prices steady.
- Cereal hay: +/-$0 ($220 to $290/t). Prices remain steady this week.
- Lucerne hay: -$10 ($340 to $380/t). Prices at the high end of the range have dropped slightly.
- 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
- Pasture growth continues to be excellent across the region and the yields resulting from the silage harvest continue to be good.
- The hay harvest has not yet commenced in earnest, as the moisture levels are still too high.
- There is talk this week that dairy farmers are working on feed budgets for the year ahead and setting up contracts with their regular suppliers. The expectation of a dry summer as a result of the El Niño predictions is one of the drivers for making sure adequate feed is in storage.
- There has been come commentary that the rain during baling in the region has caused some quality problems so potential buyers should be checking for damaged hay.
- While demand for fodder is generally low in the Bega region there is a more positive outlook for protein hay in the coming year. The impact of rain in growing regions may see an increased premium being placed on high quality lucerne (non-rain damaged hay).
- Cereal hay: -$5 ($260 to $300/t). Prices have lowered slightly this week due to buyers being in a strong position to negotiate as their current feed availability is good.
- Lucerne hay: +/-$0 ($330 to $380/t). No change this week however as this is due to limited demand prices are expected to rise as stocks are tight.
- Straw: -$15 ($160 to $180/t). Prices for straw have weakened and demand remains slow.
- Pasture hay: +/-$0 ($240 to $260/t). Prices remain steady this week.
Goulburn/Murray Valley
- Hay prices were steady this week following two weeks of price movements, mainly resulting from rainfall events.
- An increased range of prices were noted this week with both high quality hay and weather damaged fodder being traded.
- There were comments that hay bailed after the most recent November rain event, which is significantly weather damaged, is trading for under $100/t however high quality oaten hay is fetching $240/t.
- Demand for hay is particularly high from the beef industry and chaff mills are active in the market, paying premium prices for high quality oaten hay.
- Vetch hay prices have seen little movement, as growers still look unlikely to part with it unless target prices can be met. The limited supply following the low yields experienced by many are noted as a key driver.
- Cereal hay: +/-$0 ($190 to $240/t). Prices remain steady this week but cheaper weather damaged hay is becoming available on the market.
- Lucerne hay: +/-$0 ($300 to $340/t). Prices remain steady this week.
- Straw: +/-$0 ($80 to $110/t). Prices remain steady this week and straw continues to be in limited supply.
- Pasture hay: +/-$0 ($150 to $170/t). Prices remain steady this week.
Gippsland
- Demand for hay is still high for this time of year due to the challenging dry spring conditions.
- No change to prices were noted this week, although we are hearing reports that many dairy farmers are in the process of placing orders to ensure they have enough fodder to cope with a dry summer.
- Protein hay, such as Vetch, is in particularly high demand at moment.
- This week farmers have shifted from silage making to cutting hay. Warm, windy and challenging growing conditions persist in south Gippsland with conditions generally more favourable in the east.
- Cereal hay: +/-$0 ($230 to $290/t). Prices remain steady this week.
- Lucerne hay: +/-$0 ($320 to $400/t). Prices for protein hay remain steady this week.
- Straw: +/-$0 ($120 to $150/t). Prices remain steady this week.
- – Pasture hay: +/-$0 ($160 to $230/t). Prices remain steady this week.
Southwest Victoria
- Hay continues to be traded in Southwest Victoria however this week we noted that the movement of hay slowed significantly. This appears to be the result of growers opting to store their hay rather than meet some of the lower prices being offered.
- Despite the lower than average yields being reported throughout the region, there’s still a reasonable amount of high quality hay in the paddock yet to be moved.
- Bailing of hay looks to be finishing up throughout the region and there was discussion that a lull in trading is expected until after Christmas.
- Cereal hay: +/-$8 ($180 to $235/t). Prices have seen some increase this week and reports indicate the highest quality cereal hay is fetching more than this.
- Lucerne hay: +/-$0 ($280 to $340/t). Prices remain steady this week.
- Straw: +/-$0 ($110 to $120/t). Prices remain steady this week, still no new season straw on the market.
- Pasture hay: +/-$0 ($180 to $220/t). Prices remain steady this week.
Southeast South Australia
- Weather damaged wheaten and barley hay is now being traded more frequently after the recent rain event. We urge buyers to feed test hay and take care when purchasing and storing lower grade feed.
- Reports indicate good volumes of legume hay available in the region, both vetch and clover. This is expected to provide opportunities for buyers to pick up protein hay at good prices.
- Cereal hay: +/-$5 ($200 to $250/t). Some lower grade hay has brought average down this week and comments have been noted that severely weather damaged hay is being traded at even lower prices.
- Lucerne hay: +/-$0 ($280 to $340/t). Prices remain steady this week and are mostly reflecting the cost of production.
- Straw: +/-$0 ($110 to $130/t). Prices remain steady this week.
- Pasture hay: +/-$0 ($160 to $240/t). Prices remain steady this week.
Central South Australia
- Fires in the region this week have resulted in the loss of some hay. It is too soon to comment on the impact (if any) this will have on the hay market.
- A small number of growers are still baling but for the majority the hay season is complete.
- Reports that fodder stocks are relatively low in the Adelaide Hills indicates that trade in hay could increase during the summer months. There is discussion that this may lead to an increase in prices.
- Exporters have secured much of the high quality hay required to meet their needs for the season.
- Good quantities of straw on the market are having a dampening effect on the prices.
- Cereal hay: +/-$0 ($200 to $260/t). Prices remain steady this week.
- Lucerne hay: +/-$0 ($280 to $320/t). Prices remain steady this week.
- Straw: -$10 ($110 to $120/t). Prices weakened slightly this week.
- Pasture hay: N/A. No reported trading.
Southwest Western Australia
- Pasture hay yields in the Southern regions have been confirmed as being well below average this year. As yet the price for pasture hay has not increased.
- Due to the relatively dry spring, enquiries into the south have been received from some areas of the wheat belt, suggesting that fodder stocks are generally tight.
- Reports continue to indicate that the majority of the cereal hay produced in WA is of high quality.
- There are reports that there is a good availability of feed grain available for the coming season. This is likely to put a cap in on the domestic hay market as dairy farmers explore alternate feed sources to hay.
- Cereal hay: +/-$0 ($180 to $240/t). Prices remain steady this week.
- Lucerne hay: +/-$0 ($470 to $520/t). Prices remain steady this week.
- Straw: +/-$0 ($90 to $110/t). Prices remain steady this week; however this is based on limited trading.
- Pasture hay: +/-$0 ($160 to 200/t). Prices remain steady however this is based on limited trading.
Northwest Tasmania
- Dry conditions continue in Tasmania and demand for hay is exceeding supply in most parts of the state. Buyers are still looking to secure enough feed for the upcoming season and there is discussion around sourcing alternate feed sources.
- The silage harvest is drawing to a close in many regions in Tasmania and it appears that the majority of areas will not get a second cut this year.
- Buyers are again advised to determine their feed requirements for the upcoming season and contact fodder suppliers early.
- There has been no change in prices noted this week however without rain in near future there is discussion around a further price hike.
- Hay growers with access to irrigation will be essential to keeping the fodder market supplied for summer.
- Cereal hay: +/-$0 ($240 to $280/t). Prices steady this week however standing cereal crops are now also available at $195/t on farm.
- Lucerne hay: +/-$0 ($325 to $350/t). Prices remain steady this week but expected to rise in coming weeks.
- Straw: +/-$0 ($170 to $200/t). Prices remain steady this week still working off last seasons straw.
- Pasture hay: +/-$0 ($200 to $260/t). Prices remain steady this week.