National Summary
- This week we saw a mostly slow hay market reported across the nation. This has been the case for a number of weeks and the same factors continue to have an impact on trading. These include good rainfall and the resulting pasture availability for most regions which have limited the urgency for farmers to buy feed. Tight supply is also having an impact as often large freight costs are keeping prices high, particularly in the South.
- It must be noted that there were a number of regions that showed prices easing this week, mostly at the bottom end of the pricing scale. This is the result of growers trying to move fodder in a stagnant market. This hay was, for many, held onto in anticipation of another short break. Now that this is unlikely to be the case, the feed must be moved to make room in sheds for the new season’s production.
- Dramatic, widespread changes in demand and/or pricing are not expected now until the new season’s crop enters the market.
Northern Australia
- Reports indicate the North’s hay market remains slow with limited trading taking place again over the past fortnight. The rainfall which brought about good pasture growth and a promising start to crops is now beginning to cause some issues for growers. Comments suggest good curing conditions and careful harvesting will be essential to ensure the bumper season many are expecting.
- As has been the case for some time, the majority of hay buyers continue to be feedlotters and farmers weaning cattle. Beef producers are having limited impact as good beef prices have seen a number of farmers destock.
Southern Australia
- Tight supply and limited cash flow for dairy farmers remain a major hindrance for hay trading in the South. Good rainfall is also slowing trading by limiting the urgency for farmers and allowing hand to mouth buying.
- In some regions we’re now hearing reports of waterlogging or particularly damp paddocks. As the above mentioned tight cash flow could see farmers try and focus on home grown fodder this season, quality could be varied and will be dependant on good curing conditions.
Western Australia
- The distinction between early and late crops remains the talking point of the West’s hay market. While it’s too early to tell what impact this will have on the new season’s hay prices, most expect to see little change until this hits the market.
- There is still a tight supply for fodder in Western regions at the moment, but this is being mellowed by good pasture availability.
Regional Commentary
Atherton Tablelands
- Again this week, due to the limited hay trading within the region there were no major changes to hay prices.
- With good beef prices resulting in a number of farmers destocking and more plentiful pasture than in recent years, demand is low, and farmers are reporting a positive outlook on the season ahead.
- There are good stores of feed in the region however the quality is varied.
- Most buyers have reportedly secured enough fodder for the coming months.
- Some farmers are reporting that ongoing rainfall is now starting to interrupt activities such as spraying.
- As reported previously, due to the current slow state of the market, dependent mostly on cattle weaning and with no boat cattle arriving any time soon, little change is expected for some months.
- 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
- With limited hay moving in the region this week we saw prices ease as growers try and move excess feed to begin clearing space in sheds.
- We’re still hearing reports of a strong start to the season for most growers; This bit is not all that clear Jesse?
- There have been strong, consistent bouts of rainfall in the West and Central parts of the region especially (missing something here)
- Also limiting demand is the reduction of stock in the region due to good beef prices.
- Pasture availability continues to be good everywhere except in the dry Southeast corner of the region.
- Reports indicate the first barley has been made, well ahead of schedule.
- Feed alternatives such as cotton seeds and almond hulls are still being purchased by farmer seeking cheaper feed.
- Cereal hay: +$20 ($270 to $330/t). Prices eased this week.
- Lucerne hay: -$25 ($400 to $480/t). Prices eased 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
- Both a strong start to the cropping season and continued good pasture availability has kept demand low for purchased fodder this week.
- This has resulted in prices easing this week as growers try to move fodder in a slow market.
- Reports indicate that to have the bumper season now being predicted, good curing conditions are essential.
- As has been the case for some time, there is the continued issue with weather damaged hay in the region. We recommended carefully inspecting fodder before purchase and using a trusted supplier.
- Cereal hay: -$15 ($250 to $310/t). Prices eased this week.
- Lucerne hay: -$10 ($280 to $350/t). Prices eased 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 changes were recorded this week in the Central West as demand remains quite low.
- Heavy rainfall has reached the majority of the region. This has provided good pasture and helpful conditions for crop growth for some.
- A number of other growers have noted too much rainfall and waterlogging of crops is becoming an issue.
- It appears fodder moving into Victoria has slowed significantly.
- The hay available in the region is of variable quality. Some is badly weathered damaged and we recommend a feed test and careful inspection of the product.
- Cereal hay: +/-$0 ($220 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 and 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
- There continues to be little to no hay trading taking place in the Bega region as most farmers have acquired enough fodder for the coming weeks and are sitting out of the market.
- This slow trading is also aided by good pasture and silage availability.
- Reports indicate another positive cropping season, the third in a row for many, is looking likely.
- The region is now enjoying some drier conditions welcomed by growers.
- As growers try and move poorer quality fodder in the coming months, including weather damaged hay, this could see an easing of prices.
- 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
- Prices remained steady in the region this week as most farmers have secured enough fodder in sheds to sit out of the market and focus on the season ahead.
- There are still small orders coming in but these are reportedly having little impact on the market as a whole.
- Reports indicate hay prices should remain the same until the new season feed comes onto the market.
- The rainfall on crops has had a varied impact so far. Some are reporting a great start and a likely return to a ‘normal’ spring, while others are having difficulty with too much moisture.
- Small volumes oh fodder continue to head to the South West and Gippsland, but supply and restricted cash flow are holding back any great increases in this market.
- Cereal hay: +/-$0 ($230 to $260/t). Prices remain steady this week.
- Lucerne hay: +/-$0 ($320 to $350/t). Prices remain steady this week.
- Straw: +/-$0 ($130 to $150/t). Prices remain steady this week however there is limited availability.
- Pasture hay: +/-$0 ($150 to $170/t). Prices remain steady this week however this is based on limited trading.
Gippsland
- The slow market remained mostly unchanged this week however small, constant orders continue as farmers are reportedly purchasing just enough feed to see them through.
- Heavy rainfall continues to soak the region and is providing a good start to crops and pasture availability for some but causing issues and waterlogging for others.
- Comments suggest that most trading is now being done at the bottom of the pricing scale as a number of growers try and get rid of excess stock.
- Palm kernel and almond hulls are still being favoured by farmers as a cost effective alternative to hay.
- Comments continue to suggest that a large number of farmers in the region will aim to grow their own fodder in preference to purchasing feed this year.
- Cereal hay: +/-$0 ($250 to $320/t). Prices remain 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
- This week saw limited hay trading in the region due to an easing in demand from farmers enjoying a more positive outlook from continued rainfall and widespread pasture availability.
- Comments suggest that while some crops in the region are too wet, the vast majority are showing good growth.
- Also hindering buying at the moment is the continued impact of dairy price cuts and the resulting tight cash flow for many farmers.
- This has maintained a hand to mouth, or last minute type buying pattern.
- This week we saw more hay available on the market as growers begin to sell leftover or emergency feed they now don’t need because of the positive season.
- This saw prices ease at the bottom end of the scale due to poorer quality cereal hay.
- Hay moving from SA has now eased also because of this boosted supply in VIC.
- Cereal hay: -$15 ($250 to $300/t). Prices remain eased at the bottom end of the pricing scale this week.
- Lucerne hay: +/-$0 ($340 to $360/t). Prices remain steady this week.
- Straw: +/-$0 ($150 to $170/t). Prices remain steady this week however most straw is now trading at the lower end of the scale.
- Pasture hay: +/-$0 ($180 to $220/t).Prices remain steady this weekhowever there is little to no pasture hay available in the region at present.
Southeast South Australia
- Trading in the region remains slow with limited farmers active in the market.
- Like most neighbouring regions, the Southeast has experienced a good start to the season and with good stocks still available in sheds there is little immediacy for buyers.
- The constant enquiry from Victorian farmers has now slowed also which has seen prices ease for both cereal and lucerne.
- Cereal hay: -$5 ($220 to $250/t). Prices eased this week.
- Lucerne hay: -$15 ($290 to $340/t). Prices eased 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 however there is little to no pasture hay trading.
Central South Australia
- Once again there were no changes to hay prices or trading in the region as demand remains low.
- Reports indicate good supply is still available in the region and most farmers have filled sheds and are sitting out of the market.
- The already small demand from the domestic sector in Central SA has eased as most farmers have long stored enough fodder for themselves and demand from Vic has slowed.
- The export market continues to see hay trucks transporting hay across the region; however the majority of this hay was contracted months ago and is having limited impact on the current prices.
- Cereal hay: +/-$0 ($220 to $250/t). No change in prices 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 there a limited reports of trading.
- Pasture hay: N/A. No reported trading.
Southwest Western Australia
- With good pasture availability spanning most of the region and good signs for crops, demand has come back significantly in recent weeks.
- Price remains unchanged due to the tight supply which caused concern earlier in the season.
- While most of WA has received good rainfall, some areas are commenting that they are getting too wet, while others in Southwest WA have received only limited rainfall.
- There also seems to be a real divide in the growth of early and late crops. Cool conditions have stunted later crops but the earlier planted crops seem to be still running well ahead of schedule.
- 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 ($110 to $130/t). Prices remain steady this week.
- Pasture hay: +/-$0 ($160 to 200/t). Prices remain steady this week.
Northwest Tasmania
- There was a boost in hay buying this week as prices remained steady in the region after easing previously to free up the market.
- Heavy rainfall has had mixed results on the region’s crops with some growers reporting the prolonged wet conditions are having an adverse impact.
- Most farmers continue to buy in a hand to mouth manner but the number of active buyers has increased.
- It appears most farmers with buy the bare minimum of feed throughout winter and there will be a focus on home-grown fodder this season.
- Both of these above comments are likely to be the result of tight cash flow from reduced milk prices.
- Cereal hay: -$10 ($270 to $300/t). Prices remain steady this week.
- Lucerne hay: +/-$0 ($335 to $370/t). Prices remain steady this week.
- Straw: -$10 ($160 to $190/t). Prices remain steady this week.
- Pasture hay: -$15 ($240 to $260/t). Prices remain steady this week.