National Summary
- The nation’s hay market experienced varied levels of activity this week, mainly driven by rainfall. Regions to the north were mostly quiet as demand slowed following continued rain which has provided a positive outlook for the coming weeks. In the southern regions where conditions have stayed dry there have been significant levels of trade in fodder going on as buyers to seek secure fodder stocks.
Northern Australia
- Recent scattered storms and rainfall have provided some of the country’s driest regions with welcome relief and are starting to result in good levels of paddock feed. This has slowed the demand for outsourced fodder and provided a positive short-term outlook. To the coast, continued storms are making bailing difficult however this is resulting in good pasture availability, therefore limiting demand.
- Overall, less hay is being moved within the northern regions compared to previous weeks.
Southern Australia
- The price increases noted last week have steadied somewhat this week for cereal hay however supply is low in general of the back of poor yields and an early finish to the season.
- The general trend of strong demand continues across most southern regions, particularly in Gippsland and Tasmania off the back of the poor spring. With demand high for these areas many buyers are having to look at carting fodder large distances to ensure enough feed to see them through summer. There is talk of stocks getting tight, especially if the break is late.
Western Australia
- Export hay continues to underpin the hay market in Western Australia as domestic trading remain slow.
One thing of note in the market this week is the fires which impacted some hay producing country. The impact of this on the market prices are yet to be seen.
Regional Commentary
Atherton Tablelands
- The region’s hay market was quiet this week as good pasture availability from recent rains has meant a low demand for outsourced fodder.
- Pockets of good pasture growth resulting from storms have given relief to some of the drought affected areas to the west. This has provided a more positive outlook for these producers and resulted in a general reduction in fodder demand.
- The fodder harvest continues between rainfall for Rhodes grass and some growers are planting summer crops.
- Pasture hay: +/-$0 ($300 to $4000/t). Prices remain steady this week.
Darling Downs
- The region’s hay market remains mostly quiet this week with demand for purchased fodder low as widespread scattered rain continues.
- Rain to the west in drought affected parts of the region has brought a positive outlook for farmers however the impact of such rain is yet to be seen in the fodder market.
- Hay growers in the region are planting summer crops and are currently harvesting lucerne and baling 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
- There continues to be a low demand for hay in the region following good spring rainfall.
- Scattered rain continues in parts of the region and reports indicate good pasture availability.
- Good volume of second grade pasture hay available but only a limited amount is being traded at this stage.
- Due to continued rainfall in the region which may see some hay quality affected, careful inspection of hay is recommended.
- Cereal hay: +/-$0 ($260 to $310/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
- The hay market remains mostly slow in the region this week with general comments being noted that many buyers are currently sitting out of the market waiting for lower prices on cereal hay.
- There is some interest starting to build for lucerne hay, which is still selling at premium prices. Reports indicate that weather damaged lucerne previously selling at under $300/t has almost all been sold.
- Storms that occurred late last year have resulted in hay of varied quality being available in the area. Potential buyers are urged to get a feed analysis and/or use a trusted supplier to help guarantee quality.
- Cereal hay: +/-$0 ($220 to $290/t). Prices remain steady this week.
- 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
- With the favourable conditions continuing there has been no real changes noted in the regions hay market this week.
- Buyers continue to focus on utilising home grown feed rather than buying in hay, a trend expected to continue for the coming weeks.
- There is also good supply of domestic silage that should see growers through summer.
- While the weather has been good for pasture growth it has proved challenging for making quality hay and it is expected that anyone seeking quality hay of any volume should look outside the region, as always a feed analysis is recommended.
- 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: +/-$0 ($250 to $300/t). Prices remain steady 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
- The Goulburn/ Murray Valley region has continued to dry off over the past week, a trend expected to continue with the ongoing hot weather expected to continue. This is expected to put pressure on hay stocks.
- Limited hay is moving throughout the region at present, with new season straw the only fodder still in abundance.
- 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: +$20 ($100 to $130/t). The price of straw has experienced a rise this week due to demand and the addition of new season product hitting the market.
- Pasture hay: +/-$0 ($150 to $170/t). Prices remain steady this week.
Gippsland
- This week the region’s driest part, the south, saw no reprieve from hot and dusty conditions. As a result, fodder demand remains high and the market busy with a lot of trading.
- Reports indicate that hay trucks are on the move 24/7 to keep up with demand. However price increases have steadied following the previous weeks movements.
- In the east of the region good pasture availability from both recent rain and access to irrigation has resulted in less demand.
- Cereal hay: +/-$0 ($250 to $300/t). Prices remain steady this week.
- Lucerne hay: +/-$0 ($340 to $410/t). Prices 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
- The region’s hay market continues to be quiet as most farmers are now feeding out silage and utilising other stored feed.
- Reports indicate dairy farmers are beginning to dry cows off.
- There is limited hay in the region still available for delivery direct from the paddock. This is resulting in in a further price rise, especially for cereal hay, with growers not willing to move hay out of sheds unless the added handling costs of shedding hay are met.
- Cereal hay: +$13 ($225 to $250/t). Prices increased this week due to a rise in the bottom end of the market due to limited availability.
- Lucerne hay: +/-$0 ($280 to $360/t). Prices remain steady this week. However this is based on limited trading.
- Straw: +/-$0 ($110 to $120/t). Prices remain steady this week.
- Pasture hay: +/-$0 ($180 to $220/t). Prices remain steady this week. There is little to no pasture hay available in the region due to the season drying off early.
Southeast South Australia
- There were limited reports of hay trading in the region this week resulting in no major changes in price. This is partially driven by many buyers having now stored enough fodder or opting to sit out of the market until prices ease.
- There have been some concerns over quality issues in hay baled around rainfall events at the start of the season. Careful inspection is therefor advised when purchasing fodder.
- Second cut lucerne has now entered the market trading at $280/t.
- Cereal hay: +/-$0 ($220 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
- Very limited trading has been reported over the past week in the region as clean up continues in the aftermath of the Pinery bushfires.
- Cereal hay: +/-$0 ($200 to $260/t). Prices remain steady this week.
- Lucerne hay: +/-$0 ($280 to $320/t). Prices remain steady this week with equal levels of interest in vetch and medic hay.
- Straw: +/-$0 ($110 to $120/t). Prices remain steady this week however given the impact of the fires there may be shortages of straw into 2016.
- Pasture hay: N/A. No reported trading.
Southwest Western Australia
- Bushfires south of Perth have burnt large areas of hay growing country as well as hay sheds and numerous houses. Limited information on the impact this will have on hay prices is available at this point as fires are still being contained.
- Some irrigated lucerne is being traded at premium prices in the region.
- As a whole, prices still remain steady domestically this week; however the market remains dominated largely by export.
- High availability of feed grain in the region is limiting hay prices by providing buyers with a competitive alternative to hay.
- Cereal hay: +/-$0 ($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 this week.
Northwest Tasmania
- Hot and dry conditions continue throughout the region resulting in a high demand for purchased fodder. This trend does not appear to be changing and there has been some talk of bringing in hay from the mainland.
- Small volumes of hay are moving to hobby farmers for high prices, however there is a reluctance from larger volume buyers to meet these prices.
- Hay growers with irrigation will be invaluable in seeing enough available fodder for the region through to autumn.
- Buyers with a known need for hay in 2016 are advised to contact suppliers as soon as possible to ensure their needs can be met.
- Cereal hay: +/-$0 ($240 to $280/t). Prices steady this week, there are also reports of cereal silage trading well.
- Lucerne hay: +/-$0 ($335 to $370/t). Prices remain steady this week.
- Straw: +/-$0 ($170 to $200/t). Prices remain steady this week still working off last season’s straw.
- Pasture hay: +/-$0 ($250 to $280/t). Prices remain steady this week.