National Summary
- This week, continued strong demand was noted in the nation’s South compared to a largely slow market across Northern regions.
- The South’s continuously growing interest failed to result in any major price changes this week though, as prices appears to have settled somewhat following the last fortnight’s significant increases.
- Reports continue to suggest that supply will go down to the wire this winter in a number of Southern areas and this is reflected in the number of buyers re-entering the market this week. As silage runs out and the weather cools off many farmers are again topping up sheds to ensure they’re covered ahead of time.
- Despite comments that the summer rainfall, which fell steadily across much of the North’s coastal regions has stopped and the countryside begun to dry out, there is still limited interest from most farmers to buy fodder, as good availability of home grown fodder continues to provide a positive outlook.
Northern Australia
- The region’s hay market is still yet to get going as many growers enjoy an above average supply of home grown fodder and therefore are not participating in the hay market.
- As winter nears this is expected to pick up somewhat however reports indicate that a number of buyers, more-so inland, are restricted by cash flow to small volume or short-term purchases.
- As a result of the limited hay moving, there were no obvious changes to hay prices this week.
Southern Australia
- As the cool weather begins to set in, demand for purchased fodder continues to increase with more buyers reported re-entering the market this week.
- Another contributor to this is the absence of substantial rainfall in many Southern regions and the now delayed start to the autumn break. Many farmers anticipated an early break in these regions considering the early dry finish and are having to reassess feed budgets accordingly.
Western Australia
- There continues to be large volumes of hay moving across the West’s Southwest region. Demand is however variable with some areas now unseasonably dry and heavily reliant upon purchased fodder and others still with good silage and pasture available.
- There are continued concerns over supply for the domestic market for the coming months with interest for hay coming from a number of areas that typically do not purchase fodder. Reports indicate that further increases to hay prices could occur, which has lead a number of buyers to investigate other feed alternatives alongside hay.
Regional Commentary
Atherton Tablelands
- The region continued to experience scattered rainfall this week topping up pasture but causing some issues for irrigators still cutting hay.
- Reports indicate that demand for fodder from boat cattle has eased.
- There were no major price movements again this week due to limited hay being traded throughout the region.
- Most of the trading in the region continues to be from farmers buying small volumes for weaning cattle.
- Good summer rainfall has allowed for good volumes of rhodes grass hay to be made in the region.
- Reports indicate that despite generally good availability of pasture at the moment there is some concern over water availability for irrigation.
- Most predict that the market won’t show any drastic changes in the foreseeable future as reports indicate most farmers have a good supply of hay in sheds already.
- Pasture hay: +/-$0 ($300 to $400/t). Prices remained steady this week with the large price spread reflecting the increased cost of producing irrigated hay.
Darling Downs
- There were no major changes to hay prices again this week with limited hay moving across the region.
- Most demand continues to come from farmers weaning cattle.
- The general level of demand continues to increase as the region dries off. This could see price movement in the coming weeks.
- There have been some comments that there may be a tight supply for hay this winter. As long-term contracts are being favoured by sellers we recommend contacting suppliers early if you have a known need for fodder over the coming months.
- Good quality millet hay is available but 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 are limited amounts available on the market.
- Lucerne hay: +/-$0 ($430 to $500/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
- The region continues to enjoy a favourable season with plentiful home grown fodder delaying any need for large volumes of purchased feed. This is driven by good summer rainfall and it is expected that the slow trade of fodder will continue through to winter.
- This resulted in no changes to prices this week with limited hay trading at this point.
- There continue to be reports of farmers attempting to make hay or silage however rains have been interrupting bailing.
- The rainfall has caused some issues with quality however, careful inspection is therefor 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 180/t). Prices remain steady this week.
Central West NSW
- No rainfall occurred in the region this week increasing farmer’s interest in purchased fodder.
- Reports indicate that despite this steady increase in demand, farmers are still not buying in large volumes due to restricted cash flow. This is keeping prices from any significant changes at this stage.
- There continues to be commentary that suggests a great amount of hay left in the region is weather damaged. Careful inspection is therefor recommended.
- Cereal hay: +/-$0 ($200 to $260/t). Prices remain steady this week.
- Lucerne hay: +/-$0 ($270 to $350/t). Prices remain steady this week; however comments suggest that due to a steady increase in demand a limited supply, lucerne prices could increase in the coming weeks.
- 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
- Another week of good silage making conditions have held off any need for substantial orders for hay in the region. This has been helped along by unseasonably warm weather which is now expected to continue for the coming weeks.
- As a result of good summer rainfall, there have been some issues with quality and careful inspection is therefor recommended.
- Reports indicate that with limited hay moving into the region at this point, a good indicator for market change may be the prices in the Central West region.
- 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
- Hay in this region is still in high demand, however with limited supply left most fodder is now trading at the upper end of the pricing scale.
- There were no further increases to prices this week after last week’s rises.
- There continues to be commentary that suggests number of farmers in the region will have to look to transport hay greater distances than usual as supply becomes tight over winter.
- Reports indicate that good volumes of hay in this region continue to be transported to various regions in Victoria, however this is mostly for long-term contracts.
- Cereal hay: +/-$0 ($220 to $260/t). Prices remain steady this week.
- Lucerne hay: +/-$0 ($300 to $340/t). Prices remain steady this week.
- Straw: +/-$0 ($120 to $150/t). Prices remain steady this week.
- Pasture hay: +/-$0 ($150 to $170/t). Prices remain steady this week.
Gippsland
- There continues to be a strong demand in the region’s South as farmers eagerly await the Autumn break and substantial rainfall.
- Much of the rest of Gippsland has experienced good rainfall recently and buying has been reduced due to a more positive outlook for many within the region.
- For farmers in South Gippsland, high prices have caused a number of them to seek feed alternatives such as potatoes and almond hulls. These are all being purchased quickly and in large volumes.
- With an elevated demand now throughout the state, there is limited hay available in the region.
- Cereal hay: +/-$0 ($250 to $320/t). Prices remained steady this week.
- Lucerne hay: +/-$0 ($350 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
- Prices have remained steady this week following strong increases over the past fortnight.
- Demand remains high however and reports indicate that less hay is available throughout the state than last year.
- Many buyers continue to plan, ahead working to secure enough fodder before supply runs low.
- There continues to be a strong demand for protein hay however supply is now limited.
- Cereal hay: +/-$0 ($280 to $310/t). Prices remain steady this week.
- Lucerne hay: +/-$0 ($340 to $365/t). Prices remain steady this week.
- Straw: +/-$0 ($140 to $165/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 at present.
Southeast South Australia
- There were no changes to price this week despite continued increased in demand from Victoria.
- Demand within the region has slowed with reports indicating that a number of farmers have stored enough hay for the winter ahead and are now sitting out of the market.
- Good beef prices are also resulting in many farmers selling cattle rather than buying hay.
- Cereal hay: +/-$0 ($210 to $250/t). Prices remain steady this week.
- Lucerne hay: +$25 ($300 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 continues to be limited hay moving for the domestic market again this week causing no changes to prices.
- The export market on the other hand continues to see hay trucks transporting hay across the region, however the majority of this hay was contracted months ago.
- Cereal hay: +/-$0 ($200 to $250/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 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 continues to be variable demand between areas within the region which have received good summer rainfall and those who haven’t
- Overall, we hear reports that a lot of hay is being transported around the region and despite no changes to prices this week, tight supply could result in increases towards winter.
- Reports indicate some growers are currently asking for a further $10/t but the rest of the supply chain has mostly resited this so far.
- Cereal hay: +/-$0 ($250 to $310/t). Prices remained steady this week.
- Lucerne hay: +/-$0 ($470 to $520/t). Prices remain steady this week.
- Straw: +$0 ($90 to $130/t). Prices remained steady this week.
- Pasture hay: +/-$0 ($160 to 200/t). Prices remain steady this week.
Northwest Tasmania
- There were no changes to prices in the region this week despite rapidly cooling temperatures and a continued strong demand for purchased fodder. This indicates that current prices are limiting buyers options.
- There continues to be large volumes of hay being moved right across the state, however reports indicate that only limited amounts are still available for purchase. If you have a known need for fodder in 2016 contact your trusted hay supplier as soon as possible as long-term contracts are being favoured.
- It must be noted that we continues to hear reports of hay 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.
- Cereal hay: +$20 ($280 to $310/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.