National Summary
- There were limited changes to hay prices this week as the general trend of the market being described as slow continues in most parts of the nation.
- It must be noted though that this week there was a noticeable rise in the enquiries for hay with a number of buyers looking to stock sheds as the weather cools off.
- To the North, good pasture and silage availability continue to provide a positive outlook for farmers however, there was a noted concern over what feed options will be available come winter which resulted in an increased demand in some regions.
- Heading South, while the demand for fodder remains is generally steady there are a number of regions where there is still strong demand. Some areas have received some early rains however this is yet to have an impact on the demand for fodder. Commentary from the market has suggested that increases in hay prices could occur in the next fortnight as silage stocks run out and more buyers re-enter the market.
Northern Australia
- Scattered rainfall continues prevent any urgency in the hay market with good pasture and silage supplies in most coastal regions.
- Reports indicate that some farmers in these regions are starting to enter the hay market, acting on concerns over feed for the coming winter.
- Inland regions will face the issues that come with winter more quickly than coastal regions but buyers still seem to be holding off. At present it is unclear whether this is due to tighter cash flows after numerous dry seasons or they are simply choosing to feed stock in a hand to mouth manner.
Southern Australia
- Over the past two weeks much of Vitoria received rain which has given farmers a positive outlook on the season ahead and taken some pressure off the hay market.
- This comes at a time when most farmers have reportedly neared the end of silage stocks or have run out completely. Demand remains particularly high for Southern Gippsland and Tasmania where hay continues to be in tight supply.
- In the rest of the South only limited trading has been noted. Many buyers continue to buy small volumes of hay to fill sheds however there is limited urgency being noted in this buying. There was general discussion that as winter draws closer a number buyers could re-enter the market which is expected to impact pricing.
- The majority of hay still available seems to be in South Australia, particularly the South East, and in Northern Victoria. Accessing these fodder stores will incur greater freight costs and also contribute to a likely price rise across the coming months.
Western Australia
- With most farmers still enjoying good pasture from summer rains the hay market in WA remained mostly quiet this week with no obvious changes to pricing.
- There have been comments from a number of hay traders that an increased level of inquiry has occurred and a slight increase in demand from last week. This comes as some buyers look ahead taking into account less hay being available this year.
- If you have a known need for fodder this season, contact your hay supplier early to ensure you have enough fodder though winter.
Regional Commentary
Atherton Tablelands
- No changes were recorded for the Atherton Tablelands region this week with a slow market continuing to be driven by good pasture availability across most farms.
- Between on and off rain, good volumes of Rhodes grass are being produced. Quality is reported to be variable and careful inspection is recommended when purchasing fodder.
- The current slow state of the market is expected to 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
- The region’s hay market showed no changes this week, however a number of hay traders noted a slight increase in enquiry.
- This increase in enquiry is reportedly coming from farmers heeding warnings of a potentially tight supply for hay for the winter ahead. As long-term contracts are being favoured, we recommend contacting suppliers early if you have a known need for fodder over the coming months.
- Currently most interest for fodder is coming from beef producers who are continuing to take advantage of strong cattle prices to stock up on fodder.
- Reports indicate that the Downs are starting to dry out as the random storms scattered about the region in past months have mostly subsided.
- Good quality millet is available and trading slowly. Lucerne and cereal hay are reportedly in limited supply.
- Cereal hay: +/-$0 ($300 to $340/t). Prices for cereal hay remain steady this week however there is limited amounts available on the market.
- Lucerne hay: +/-$0 ($430 to $480/t). Prices remain steady this week however this is based on limited trading.
- 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
- The region continues to enjoy good pasture and silage availability resulting in little demand for purchased fodder. This is seeing little hay moving and no fluctuation in prices.
- There has been a slight increase in the level of enquiry for pasture hay again this week.
- Due to continued rainfall over the region there have been some issues with hay quality. Careful inspection of fodder upon purchase is recommended to ensure quality.
- 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 was little hay moving around the region again this week with dry conditions doing little to pick up demand so far.
- Reports indicate many farmers are restricted to hand to mouth feeding without the cash flow to plan ahead and bolster supply for winter.
- The price for lucerne has eased this week to meet where the market demand is at.
- As dry conditions persist, it is becoming increasingly obvious the difference in season the Central West is experiencing in terms of supply compared to that of coastal regions.
- Reports indicate that the majority of remaining cereal hay for sale is weather damaged. Therefore careful inspection is recommended.
- Cereal hay: +/-$0 ($200 to $260/t). Prices remain steady this week.
- Lucerne hay: -$20 ($270 to $350/t). Prices eased 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 slow hay market trend continued in the region this week with limited trading driving a low demand for purchased fodder. At this point in time, most farmers are focussing on home grown fodder with good supply of pasture and silage in stock.
- Consistent rainfall has resulted in good volumes of hay being made in the region, however it also resulted in some quality issues. AFIA advises careful inspection when purchasing fodder.
- Despite good availability of pasture at present we recommend that farmers be sure to take into account a long term feed budget and plan during colder months.
- 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
- With limited hay left unaccounted for, the region saw no changes in price again this week.
- Demand from other regions in Victoria are stretching the remaining supply which could leave hay stores tight locally this winter.
- At this stage though, reports indicate that most GV farmers are optimistic and have put good volumes of hay in sheds early.
- 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
- Heavy rainfall has been felt across a number of patches of Gippsland not excluding the driest of the region in the South.
- This has resulted in some relief for dairy farmers who now feel confident that the rains will deliver some much needed pasture growth. Demand for fodder remains high however, as many farmers have now run out of silage.
- This week we have noted a rise in interest for protein hay as silage stocks run low.
- Looking to East Gippsland, including the Macalister Irrigation District, farmers continue to report good pasture and silage availability.
- Cereal hay: +/-$0 ($250 to $310/t). Prices remain steady this week
- Lucerne hay: +/-$0 ($340 to $410/t). Prices remain steady this week.
- Straw: +/-$0 ($130 to $200/t). Prices remain steady this week.
- Pasture hay: +/-$0 ($160 to $240/t). Prices remain steady this week.
Southwest Victoria
- Limited changes to hay prices have occurred again this week as the market continues its slow run of trading.
- There are still predictions that both demand and price will lift in the coming weeks as farmers use up on farm silage stocks and look to bring in more fodder to build up supplies as we come into cooler the months.
- Enquiries for protein hay have increased slightly this week in response to dwindling silage stocks. This has resulted in an increase in price for Vetch now available at $360-$365/t.
- Cereal hay: +/-$0 ($240 to $270/t). Prices remain steady this week.
- Lucerne hay: +/-$0 ($300 to $360/t). Prices remain steady this week however due to transport costs there is limited trade being reported.
- Straw: +/-$0 ($110 to $130/t). Prices remain steady this week.
- Pasture hay: +/-$0 ($180 to $220/t). Prices remain steady this week however there is little to no pasture hay available in the region.
Southeast South Australia
- There were no changes in hay prices this week with limited fodder trading.
- Reports indicate that locally, a number of farmers have stored enough hay for the winter ahead and are now sitting out of the market. This is in some instances helped along by offloading cattle with good beef prices.
- The other reason for the lack of hay movement can be attributed to tight cash flow positions of buyers limiting the ability to purchase hay in the region.
- With good volumes still available for purchase, in the coming weeks this could see hay from this region become attractive to buyers as other region’s stocks grow tighter.
- Cereal hay: +/-$0 ($210 to $250/t). Prices remain steady this week.
- Lucerne hay: +/-$0 ($250 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
- The region experienced limited hay trading this week which resulted in no obvious price changes
- The export market continues to see hay trucks moving throughout the region however, this activity is not having a major impact on domestic trading.
- Reports indicate that we could see some unexpected changes in demand in the coming weeks as buyer currently focussing on fire recovery re-enter he market.
- 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
- Increased demand and reports of growing enquiry this week have had no obvious impact on hay prices. There has been some commentary that this could occur in the coming fortnight however.
- Good pasture availability is being noted by a large part of the region, and is creating a positive outlook for farmers. However a growing number of reports indicate that tight supply could occur during cooler months.
- Demand from the export sector continues to underpin and dominate the domestic market.
- Fodder continues to be donated and delivered to fire affected areas South of Perth.
- 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
- There were no changes to hay prices this week, however demand remains high and is at this stage considerably stretching supply throughout the state.
- We continue to hear reports of hay being offered at prices that are generally considered unviable to anyone with a commercial focus. This is typically for small parcels of hay for lifestyle usage however it is having a distorting impact on the market.
- Silage is available and is trading at around $450-500/t.
- 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 ($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.