National Summary
- The hay market remained quiet throughout the nation this week with prices mostly stable as harvest begins to wind down. The North continues to experience stormy conditions as the South dries off. Generally farmers are looking to top up fodder stocks for the summer ahead, most of them heeding warnings the potential tight fodder supply off the back of a season of lower than expected production.
Northern Australia
- Hay trading continues to be slow in Northern regions despite relatively steady demand from the drier regions and cattle farmers still enjoying strong beef prices.
- Storms have continued to hamper baling efforts in a number of coastal regions across much of the North and weather damaged hay is causing issues, particularly in Northern NSW.
- There was a price rise noted in the Atherton Tablelands driven by the majority of available hay coming off irrigation.
Southern Australia
- Hay trading slowed significantly throughout Southern regions this week as the harvest draws to a close with the majority of hay buyers having secured enough feed early.
- Gippsland is the exception however, as farmers in the region are buying in large quantities of hay to combat a poor spring. There is also a large amount of interest in Tasmania where the dry conditions continue.
- The South Australian hay market has continued to show little movement as focus remains on bushfire recovery.
Western Australia
- The demand for export hay continues to dominate the WA market and underpin domestic oaten hay prices.
- Reports indicate that the domestic hay market may be more active this week as hay not suited to the export market becomes available.
Regional Commentary
Atherton Tablelands
- The market has seen a slight rise in price at the top end this week due to irrigated hay being the most available hay in the region.
- Reports indicate that good quality irrigated hay is moving quickly however its availability is limited due to the number of growers access to irrigation water.
- Growers continue to harvest Rhodes grass however this is being interrupted by weather.
- It has been noted that the market has slowed significantly over the last six weeks. However demand from farmers weaning cattle and from beef producers in general continues to support the market.
- Pasture hay: +$10 ($300 to $400/t). >Prices rose this week with mostly irrigated hay being traded, demanding a higher cost of production.
Darling Downs
- Overall prices remain the same and despite a lot of hay being made, little is currently being sold.
- Storms continue to have varied impact the region making baling difficult.
- Further out west dry conditions persist and demand from beef producers keen to keep condition on cattle is keeping the market moving
- The key buyers active in the market at present are beef producers.
- Growers are now cutting lucerne and some straw.
- Cereal hay: +/-$0 ($300 to $340/t). Prices remain steady this week.
- 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 ($260 to $310/t). Prices remain steady this week.
North Coast NSW
- Regular sales continue to local feedlots and larger beef businesses in central NSW and QLD however demand is low regionally due to good pasture availability.
- Scattered storms on the North Coast are expected to continue to cause issues baling. However it should be noted that the rainfall has been variable with some parts of the region experiencing little to no rain.
- Due to the wet conditions through harvest careful inspection of hay prior to purchase is recommended, due to the potential for weather damaged hay.
- Cereal hay: +$10 ($260 to $310/t). High-end cereal hay has increased in price this week but there is still feed around for less than 300/t.
- 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
- Despite the hot and dry conditions giving growers a good run at baling recently, there are still large amounts of weather-damaged hay available.
- Reports indicate that lucerne growers are trying to get rid of there first cuts to make room in the shed for better quality feed.
- Potential buyers are urged to feed test hay and/or use a trusted hay supplier to help guarantee quality.
- Demand remains steady, as signs there is less hay around in the region are becoming clear quite early.
- Cereal hay: +/-$0 ($220 to $290/t). Prices remain steady this week however most is selling for around the 250 mark due to quality.
- Lucerne hay: +/-$0 ($340 to $380/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
- Much of the region continues to experience good yields and good pasture availability. So far we have heard comments that this is likely to reduce the demand for fodder into the region by as much as half of typical requirements.
- Growers and contractors are noting that conditions are not yet ideal for hay making as moisture levels are still too high. Things have started drying though and some hot weather is predicted which will assist with hay curing.
- Reports indicate a lot of the hay that has been harvested so far has weather damaged so potential buyers should inspect hay before buying.
- There is likely to be strong demand for protein hay in the coming year for the Bega region. Based on the impact rain has had on lucerne quality we expect a premium to be placed on high quality lucerne (non-rain damaged hay).
- Cereal hay: -$10 ($250 to $300/t). Some lower grade hay lowered the bottom end of the market this week.
- Lucerne hay: +/-$0 ($330 to $380/t). Prices remain steady this week.
- Straw: +/-$0 ($160 to $180/t). Prices remain steady this week.
- Pasture hay: +/-$0 ($240 to $260/t). Prices remain steady this week.
Goulburn/Murray Valley
- Hay trading in the region continues to be slow with no change in prices this week.
- Prospective hay buyers are encouraged to assess their feed supply for the coming season and talk to their supplier now due to lower than average stocks being available.
- Currently, demand continues from the beef industry and chaff mills are still active in the market paying premium prices for high quality oaten hay.
- Off the back of low vetch yields prices are expected to rise in the coming week.
- Cereal hay: +/-$0 ($190 to $240/t). Prices remain steady this week.
- 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
- Storms have brought some relief to dry fodder crops but demand for brought in hay remains high.
- Quantity has taken precedence over quality in the region’s hay market as farmers try to secure large amounts of fodder for the summer ahead.
- Farmers purchasing protein hay are meeting market prices of up to $410/t.
- Reports indicate that more over the fence trading is occurring as buyers look close to home to avoid paying transport costs.
- Cereal hay: +$10 ($240 to $300/t). The price for cereal hay rose this week, mostly due to transport costs and high demand.
- Lucerne hay: +$5 ($320 to $410/t). Prices for lucerne saw $5 increase this week. Vetch is selling for around $350/t as alternate protein hay.
- Straw: +/-$0 ($120 to $150/t). Prices remain steady this week. No new season straw has entered the market yet.
- Pasture hay: +/-$0 ($160 to $230/t). Prices remain steady this week.
Southwest Victoria
- Southwest Victoria again saw no price movement this week and the market is expected to stay slow over the coming weeks.
- Majority of growers are opting to store hay rather than meet some of the lower prices being offered.
- High quality cereal hay is still trading well in the region.
- Cereal hay: +/-$0 ($180 to $235/t). Prices remain steady this week.
- Lucerne hay: +/-$0 ($280 to $340/t). Prices remain steady this week.
- Straw: +/-$0 ($110 to $120/t). Prices remain steady this week.
- Pasture hay: +/-$0 ($180 to $220/t). Prices remain steady this week
Southeast South Australia
- Reports indicate that little hay is being traded this week and the market has slowed significantly.
- There have been some incidences of shed fires reported. We urge buyers to get a feed analysis and take care when storing hay,
- Some growers are still baling irrigated Lucerne.
- Cereal hay: +/-$0 ($200 to $250/t). Prices remain steady this week.
- Lucerne hay: +/-$0 ($280 to $340/t). Prices remain steady this week.
- 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
- Given the focus on fire recovery in the region there has been limited trading and accordingly prices remain unchanged.
- 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: +/-$0 ($110 to $120/t). Prices remain steady this week.
- Pasture hay: N/A. No reported trading.
Southwest Western Australia
- Reports indicate a high availability of feed grain in this region is likely to influence the hay market in the coming weeks as farmers seek lower price feed options.
- At this stage export hay still dominates the market however, however lower grade hay is expected to enter the domestic market as demand increases.
- Cereal hay: +$15 ($200 to $250/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
- Tasmania experienced little movement in price this week as dry conditions continue. Hay of all types’ remains in high demand and tight supply. This situation is expected to continue in the near future.
- Buyers are again advised to determine their feed requirements for the upcoming season and contact fodder suppliers as soon as possible to ensure their needs can be met.
- 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 season’s straw.
- Pasture hay: +/-$0 ($200 to $260/t). Prices remain steady this week.