National Summary
- This week the generally slow hay market and lull in trading across much of the nation continued.
- In the north this is driven by the good availability of both pasture and silage thanks to from good summer rainfall. As a result of this we expect limited demand for fodder from cattle farmers in the foreseeable future.
- In the south many farmers continue to rely on hay and silage, both home grown and purchased, and have been noting that fodder stocks are lower than ideal for this time of year. This has led to talk of possible supply shortages that could exist without an early autumn break.
- Reports have this week indicated that in the south, the current slow state of the market is expected to pick up in the coming fortnight and prices with it. This will be driven predominantly by silage supplies running low.
- It should also be noted that there are still regions in the south experiencing high demand for hay, in contrast to the rest the nation, which continued this week and is expected to until after the break.
Northern Australia
- There continues to be a low demand for purchased fodder in most northern regions with many prospective buyers focussing on home grown fodder at present. Good pasture and silage availability from widespread rainfall has created a positive outlook for the coming months.
- Good volumes of fodder in being made in the northern regions right now however the sporadic rainfall has resulted in some issues in terms of hay quality with a number of regions trading large amounts of weather damaged hay. Careful inspection of fodder is recommended to ensure quality.
Southern Australia
- Reports this week indicated that while the market remains slow in the South (with the exception of Tasmanian and South Gippsland regions) the trade is expected to pick up in the coming weeks. This is due to a number of farmers beginning to near the end of their stored silage.
- Demand hasn’t slowed in Tasmania or South Gippsland with tight supply keeping prices at a premium. There continues to be efforts to bring fodder across to Tasmania from the mainland to bolster supply.
- Good volumes of hay are still available in some regions of Victoria however and much of South East South Australia.
Western Australia
- There were no reported changes to price this week in the west, with a moderate demand continuing domestically as buyers look ahead to the cooler months. Summer rainfall is maintaining good pasture availability and is creating a positive outlook. This has postponed any sense of urgency in the region however there is talk of concerns about supply into winter with less hay being made available to the domestic market across the board.
Regional Commentary
Atherton Tablelands
- There were no changes to price recorded in the region again this week with a low demand for purchased fodder off the back of good pasture availability from summer rains.
- Adding to this is a reduction in demand from beef producers.
- Good volumes of Rhodes grass are being produced in the region however on and off rainfall has hampered baling, causing some issues with quality.
- Reports indicate that most farmers expect this lull in trading will continue until cattle mustering starts in the coming months or demand from the live cattle export trade increases.
- Pasture hay: +/-$0 ($300 to $400/t). Prices remain steady this week with the large price spread reflecting the increased cost of producing irrigated hay.
Darling Downs
- Good summer rainfall has continued to deliver a charmed season on the Downs with good pasture availability providing a positive outlook for farmers.
- A large volume of hay is being produced in the region but demand for purchased fodder is at this stage low.
- Growers in the region continue to focus on summer crops between harvesting lucerne and Rhodes grass.
- Reports indicate the most active buyers in the market are beef producers using good cattle prices to source and store fodder early.
- 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
- Similarly to many regions in Northern Australia, the North Coast continues to experience low demand for fodder as good summer rainfall maintains pasture availability.
- Most enquiries in the region for fodder are for pasture hay that continues to be in good supply. The quality however, is variable but some good quality pasture hay is starting to be traded after recent sunny weather.
- There is continued talk from growers that this season is the best they have experienced in a number of years.
- 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 180/t). Prices remain steady this week.
Central West NSW
- There were again no changes in hay prices in Central West NSW this week due to limited trading throughout the region.
- Many farmers in the region continue to be buying hay in a hand to mouth manner, keeping the market slow. There was however talk that this may result in a sharp rise in interest as supply tightens without rainfall.
- A general comment on fodder stocks in the reason is less fodder than typical was made this year due to poor growing conditions and heavy rainfall during harvest. Reports indicate that the majority of remaining fodder for sale is weather damaged. Careful inspection is recommended.
- Cereal hay: +/-$0 ($200 to $290/t). Prices remain steady this week. Most available hay available is now trading at the lower end.
- 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
- The Bega Valley continues to experience a bumper season with good pasture and silage availability providing a positive outlook for farmers. This is also resulting in an overall low demand for purchased fodder.
- On the flip side of this, the rain has caused some quality issues with hay, accordingly we advise careful inspection when purchasing fodder.
- Reports indicate that some farmers have concerns over hay supplies going into winter and we advise considering feed options long term.
- Cereal hay: +/-$0 ($230 to $280/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
- Reports continue to indicate the tight fodder supply in the region is restricting trading. This has slowed the market, this week almost to a stand still.
- There is limited local demand from beef producers and a steady demand from dairy farmers in Gippsland.
- Reports indicate some growers are sitting on weather damaged hay (dry cow hay) and hoping for upwards of $150/t, however there is little being traded at this point in time.
- 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.
- Pasture hay: +/-$0 ($150 to $170/t). Prices remain steady this week.
Gippsland
- Dry conditions continue in South Gippsland and with no rain forecast in the coming week many growers will be nearing the end of silage stocks. Driven by high hay prices dairy farmers are now considering feed alternatives ranging from almond hulls to winter crops to keep cows going through winter.
- While hay prices are high in the South Gippsland there continues to be a steady flow of hay into the region. These prices are being heavily influenced by transport costs.
- There was a rise in the price of straw this week off the back of strong demand.
- In the east of the region good pasture availability from both recent rain and access to irrigation has resulted in less demand for the year to date. East Gippsland has been widely regarded as having had a good season overall.
- 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: +/$25 ($130 to $190/t). Prices lifted this week.
- Pasture hay: +/-$0 ($160 to $230/t). Prices remain steady this week.
Southwest Victoria
- The hay market in Southwest Victoria continues to be slow with little trading due to most buyers having secured fodder early.
- During the coming weeks however, reports indicate that without an early autumn break a number of farmers could begin to reach the end of silage stocks and be forced to re-enter the market. This is expected to see hay prices lift.
- There appears to be a consistent demand for protein hay which is currently in tight supply. Vetch is available for upwards of $350/t and lucerne prices have increased slightly as growers make the most of their last cuts.
- Cereal hay: +$5 ($230 to $270/t). Prices rose $5/t this week due to a tightening of supply.
- Lucerne hay: +$10 ($300 to $360/t). Prices increased this week off the back of tight stocks.
- Straw: +/-$0 ($110 to $120/t). Prices remain steady this week.
- Pasture hay: +/-$0 ($180 to $220/t). however there is little to no pasture hay available in the region due to the short 2015 season.
Southeast South Australia
- The region continues to see no movement in hay prices or increase in demand as most buyers within the region are reported to have secured enough fodder for the coming weeks.
- The good stocks of fodder in this region provide a contrast to other nearby regions.
- Most hay in the region has been put into storage and is now trading at $10/t more than that in the paddock.
- 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
- There were no changes in hay prices within the region again this week, the key driver once again being limited hay trading taking place.
- Reports indicate that the demand from the export sector is strong and they have purchased most of the quality hay produced in the area.
- A large focus remains on the recovery and rebuild from the Pinery bushfire so as this progresses we could see some unexpected increase in demand and buying over the coming months.
- Cereal hay: +/-$0 ($200 to $250/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
- There were no changes to hay prices this week however a steady increase in interest was noted which may push prices up in the coming weeks.
- At this stage supply is meeting demand helped along by summer rainfall providing good pasture availability. There is some concern over fodder stocks coming winter and this has seen some farmers to assess feed alternatives.
- Demand from the export sector continues to underpin and dominate the domestic market.
- Cereal hay: +/- $0 ($230 to $290/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
- This week hay supply issues continued for Tasmania as dry conditions maintain high demand across the island state.
- Reports indicate that there continues to be hay moving from the mainland to bolster the state’s supply. Some issues with regards to quarantine have been reported which has delayed delivery times. To avoid any delays we recommend you ensure you have the correct paperwork prior to organising this process.
- The strong demand from different sectors (dairy to equine and hobby farmers) is causing some confusion over prices with buyers purchasing small quantities driving the price up. Whilst there were no changes this week we urge buyers to consult trusted contractors or hay producers before purchase.
- 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. It must be noted that many hay traders are prioritising long-standing customers, as supplies are so short.
- Cereal hay: +/-$0 ($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.
- Pasture hay: +/-$0 ($250 to $280/t). Prices remain steady this week.