National Summary
- This week we saw a continuation of the contrast between hay markets in the north and south. Rainfall in the northern regions has resulted in a positive outlook on feed availability in the coming months by providing good pasture availability and limiting any real immediate need for bought in fodder. In the south talk of supply issues intensified late last week however commentary this week has shown this to be largely unfounded in most regions as good volumes of hay are still available at prices not unlike to dryer seasons in recent years.
Northern Australia
- Numerous storms bringing rainfall over recent weeks along coastal regions have resulted in good pasture and silage availability. This boosted the confidence of most farmers and eased any immediate demand for bought in fodder.
- It should be noted that this wet weather has made baling hay difficult and resulted in some quality issues being observed. We also noted some discussion this week voicing concern around feed availability later in the year however this is yet to have any impact on the market.
Southern Australia
- There continues to be high demand for fodder in much of the country’s southern regions, particularly in southern Gippsland and Tasmania.
- Last week there was some talk of hay shortages throughout much of the Victorian hay growing regions however commentary from the market this week has disproven this theory. While the Victorian hay harvest was back on average there are good volumes are still available.
- There are now reports of hay moving to Tasmania from the mainland in order to keep up with demand off the back of a poor season and continued dry conditions. Some rain has brought temporary relief this week however anyone with a known need for fodder is advised to contact suppliers immediately.
Western Australia
- Despite favourable weather conditions during hay making, low yields have resulted in less hay than typical being available this year in WA. With the majority of quality cereal hay going to export there now remains high demand on the domestic market. Many buyers are now searching for feed alternatives with grain being the most favoured choice at present.
Regional Commentary
Atherton Tablelands
- Storms and widespread rainfall continue to result in good pasture availability for the region and therefore a low demand for bought fodder.
- Also keeping the hay market quiet is the reduction in demand for hay from beef producers weaning cattle.
- Some growers are currently cutting Rhodes grass, however temperamental weather is making this difficult. This inclement weather is also resulting in some concerns over hay quality due to rain.
- The market is expected to continue this lull in trading until cattle mustering starts in the coming months or demand from the live cattle export trade increases.
- Pasture hay: +/-$0 ($300 to $4000/t). Prices remain steady this week with the large price spread reflecting the increased cost of producing irrigated hay.
Darling Downs
- More rain in the region has maintained good pasture availability and an overall low demand for bought fodder.
- Reports indicate that hay growers are currently focusing on planting summer crops and bailing straw. Lucerne is also being harvesting at present however demand is limited and growers are reporting only limited sales.
- Due to limited trading, there were no reports of price changes this week. This trend is expected to continue in the near future, and is not likely to change unless pasture availability drops off.
- 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
- Good pasture and silage availability has kept the region’s hay market quiet again this week seeing low demand and little moving across the board.
- As a result of constant rainfall, good volumes of lower grade pasture hay are available in the region however only limited amounts are being traded at this stage. This may provide a good opportunity for buyers seeking lower priced fodder.
- Careful inspection of fodder is advised due to the high potential for locally produced hay to be weather damaged.
- 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
- This week the regions hay market remained mostly quiet as limited hay was moved. This is the result of most buyers having now stored enough fodder to see themselves through to autumn.
- Reports indicate that hay stocks are tight this season and buyers who haven’t made enquiries about buying fodder yet should do so now.
- There have been a number of reports indicating hay quality issues in the region so careful inspection of fodder is advised.
- Cereal hay: +/-$0 ($200 to $290/t). Prices remain steady this week. There is some weather-damaged hay for sale at lower price points however reports indicate this is not moving.
- Lucerne hay: +/-$0 ($280 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
- This week the region again saw limited movement in the hay market. This is due to good pasture availability which has resulted in dairy and cattle producers putting little thought towards purchasing fodder for the year ahead. There is some speculation that this may lead to issues sourcing fodder later in the year.
- There is good availability of locally produced silage in the region which adds to the low demand for brought in hay.
- While the rainfall has been a blessing for pasture growth it has led to some issues with hay quality in the area and therefore we recommend using a trusted supplier and inspecting hay prior to purchase.
- Looking at local silage production growers were this week reporting a need for maize crops to dry out in the coming weeks to make harvest possible.
- 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
- There were no price changes noted in the market this week despite fodder availability being low. This is mainly due to the majority of buyers having already secured fodder for the season ahead.
- Some buyers are still currently topping up sheds with new season straw paying prices up to $130/t.
- There was a slight increase in trade of protein hay this week moving at prices around $330/t.
- Reports indicate some growers are sitting on weather damaged dry cow hay and hoping for upwards of $150/t, however there is little interest in this hay at this point.
- 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 ($100 to $130/t). Prices remain steady this week; however this is expected to rise due to high demand for all fodder types.
- Pasture hay: +/-$0 ($150 to $170/t). Prices remain steady this week.
Gippsland
- The demand for fodder remains high in southern parts of the region with a lot of hay moving into the region from across Victoria.
- Some dairy farmers are now weighing up alternative feed options such almond hull and palm kernel as a result of running through silage stores more quickly than expected.
- Price increases have steadied now as both growers and buyers settle on a price that ensures the market remains strong.
- In the east of the region good pasture availability from both recent rain and access to irrigation has resulted in less demand to date. This part of Gippsland has been widely regarded as having had a good season overall.
- Cereal hay: +/-$0 ($250 to $300/t). Prices remain steady this week however most trading is being done around the $260/t mark.
- 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
- There was no change is price this week in the region with limited hay moving due to most people having now stored enough fodder.
- Off the back of last week’s reports of a lack of supply in the region we heard comments that some growers had set higher reserve prices on hay accordingly. However as this is not the case, with reports indicating that good volumes of cereal hay are still available, there was no price movement noted this week.
- Hay shed fires have again been reported in the area recently prompting a reminder to check hay carefully upon purchase and use only trusted suppliers.
- Cereal hay: +/-$0 ($230 to $260/t). Prices remain steady this week.
- 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 no changes in prices recorded this week as most buyers have now either stored enough fodder for the season ahead or are opting to sit out of the market in hope of prices easing.
- There are reports of good volumes of cereal hay still in the paddock waiting to be purchased.
- There have been some concerns over quality issues in hay baled around rainfall events at the start of the season. Although little of this is still being traded, careful inspection is therefor advised when purchasing fodder.
- 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
- Limited hay is being traded in the region on the domestic market with the major focus still on fire recovery and clean up.
- A easing of price at the top end has been recorded. Reports indicate that this comes as most suppliers are interested in aiding the recovery of buyers.
- Cereal hay: -$5 ($200 to $250/t). Prices ease slightly 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
- The region continues to experience a fodder shortage with many buyers now looking to reasonable alternatives to hay.
- There is currently a high demand from both domestic buyers and exporters that has resulted in a high prices across the board
- Consistent summer rains have meant good pasture availability and perhaps delayed any urgency in the need for bough in fodder.
- Cereal hay: +/-$0 ($220 to $270/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
- Demand in the region continues to exceed supply as some buyers now look to the mainland to bolster local supplies.
- Some rain fell across the state this week and is expected to provide some short term relief for farmers.
- Despite no further rise in the market again this week, reports indicate hobby farmers paying unprecedentedly high prices for small quantities are adding some distortion to the market.
- Irrigated hay continues to provide a lifeline for the state and will be invaluable in keeping up with supply through 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: +$15 ($250 to $300/t). Prices remain steady this week.
- 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.