National Summary
- With more and more hay hitting the ground, we began to get a clearer picture of the feed situation around the nation this week. Prices are still fluctuating in some areas as growers compete amongst others with mostly poor to average grade feed. As the harvest has gone on we’ve seen the quality of hay produced lift as the spring has dried crops up. This has resulted in some large variations in the pricing scale for some regions. The overall quality though continues to be down from last year as a large percentage of feed has been rained on or cut onto wet ground.
- Demand is still low in most regions with farmers still focusing on the baling of hay and utilising home-grown fodder. There is also a lack of urgency due to the potential influx of cheaper hay. Prices are well back from previous years reflecting the quality. The price of grain is also very competitive.
Northern Australia – Summary
- Good volumes of hay are being produced in the north however quality is variable.
- Coastal regions have dried out significantly and will require a larger supply of purchased fodder this season.
- Feed tests from the earliest new season feed show that this year’s fodder will result in lower quality specs than last year’s high nutrient hay.
- Hay prices have come back from last year in response to the surplus of lower quality feed.
- Little hay is being traded at this time outside of small volume purchases and long- term contracts.
- Buying is expected to start again once the harvest is complete and the fodder situation is fully realised.
- Parts of the North West have enjoyed a welcome return to a wet winter and positive spring and will produce better volumes of feed this year.
- Patches of rain are continuing to cause yellowed and weather damaged hay.
Southern Australia – Summary
- Some more patchy rainfall has put baling on hold again this week.
- Enormous yields are resulting in large volumes of hay being produced in the key hay making areas.
- Feed tests are showing that quality is still well behind the previous year however weeks of dry weather have limited the amount of mouldy hay.
- New season feed begun trading in the South at a price far reduced form the previous few years.
- Farmers are commenting that this year will certainly be a ‘buyers market’ for hay.
- Lower prices reflect large volumes of poor-to-medium grade feed and a competitive market.
- Prices may reduce further in the most southern region despite little hay having yet been made.
- The hay harvest is still significantly behind schedule in all southern regions which has impacted the nutritional profile of the harvest.
- Limited supply currently remains in sheds.
- As an ongoing consequence of reduced milk pricing, many dairy farmers continue to sit out of the hay market focusing instead on producing their own grass and fodder.
Western Australia – Summary
- With little hay trading domestically at this point, the domestic price continues to be underpinned by export as this is the majority of hay that has been made so far.
- This price is far reduced from previous years however.
- The harvest for domestic feed has been delayed a great deal due to rainfall during spring.
- The impact of this rainfall has been variable, but the vast majority of growers did experience some rain during harvest.
- A few weeks of dry conditions have now improved the west’s outlook and good volumes of hay are likely to be produced this season.
- It is possible the west will see an oversupply of lower quality feed damaged by earlier rainfall and frosts.
- Farmers continue to prioritise home-grown feed with good pasture still available for in most areas.
- The Northern section of the region has experienced worse rain damage than other parts.
Regional Commentary
Atherton Tablelands
- Mostly good quality hay being produced in the region due to ideal harvest conditions.
- Farmers are reporting limited pasture availability however there remain a low demand for fodder due to good supply in sheds.
- There aren’t enormous volumes of hay being made this season but growers are still positive that supply will be up from last year.
- There isn’t expected to be any major jump in trading in the coming weeks.
- Farmers weaning cattle continue to be major buyers in the market.
- Comments suggest hay prices could be reduced in the coming weeks as traders/farmers try to compete in what could be a well-supplied market.
- Pasture hay: +/-$0 ($200 to $220/t). Prices remain steady this week.
- Note: Hay in the Atherton Tablelands is traditionally priced at $/bale so it is important to check bale weights for conversion to a $/t rate.
Darling Downs
- Hay traders and growers continue to report difficulty moving fodder in the region with little demand from farmers.
- This resulted in no major changes in price this week after previously easing.
- Mixed quality is being reported from the region’s growers from this year’s harvest.
- Most are expecting a lower level of feed quality than previous years and there is expected to be a surplus of poor quality feed.
- Some parts of the region experienced an earlier dry finish which has lead to a higher cost of production for many, putting pressure on hay traders.
- There are pockets of the region that will produce a lot of hay, particularly to the west, due to a more favourable spring. Others along the coast are expecting a tighter year.
- Comments suggest most buyers are waiting out of the market in anticipation of cheaper new season feed.
- Good amounts of silage have been produced already in the region and this is reportedly of good quality.
- Chaff mills continue to be the only consistent buyer in the market.
- Cereal hay: +/-$0 ($220 to $240/t). Prices remain steady this week.
- Lucerne hay +/-$0 ($320 to $400/t). Prices remain steady this week. Some new season lucerne has entered the market and is trading at the bottom end of the pricing scale despite being good quality.
- Straw: +/-$0 ($110 to $160/t). Prices remain steady this week.
- Pasture hay: N/A at this time.
North Coast NSW
- The focus remains on harvest in the region and as a result we saw little hay traded this week.
- Reports indicate there will be a high demand however there is limited supply from last year and a particularly dry finish has been sustained.
- This dry finish has not been felt by most surrounding regions and is likely to result in a boost in trading in the coming weeks.
- Despite new season feed entering the market at a reduced price from last year, little trading resulted in no further price reductions this week.
- Reports from the harvest are mixed and not overwhelmingly positive.
- Early feed tests are showing that quality is reportedly average but there’s a generally good supply of this grade feed.
- Without consistent rainfall, the abundance of grass feed has dwindled.
- Buying in small quantities for hobbies farms continues but is having no impact on pricing at this point.
- Cereal hay: +/-$0 ($200 to $230/t). Prices remain steady this week.
- Lucerne hay: +/-$0 ($280 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 no reports of major hay trading this week and harvest remains the primary focus for the region.
- Patches of the region particularly to the north are much further along with harvest than others still experiencing setbacks from the wet start to spring.
- The general theme is that most feed is of a lower quality than last season.
- There are a number of crops in the region that have been damaged due to the sustained wet winter, however things have dried out considerably in the past week.
- Any price reduction will be limited however by the level of supply which is well down this year. Also freight costs weigh heavily into the equation being such a spread-out region.
- Some parts of the region have dried off a great deal and pasture is in short supply.
- Due to the variable quality of fodder in the region, including last year’s hay, we recommend getting a feed test and carefully inspecting product before purchase.
- Cereal hay: -$20 ($190 to $240/t). Prices have eased this week.
- Lucerne hay: -$15 ($290 to $330/t) Prices have 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 in the region.
Bega Valley
- The region has dried out significantly in recent weeks after no major rainfall for over a month.
- The focus for farmers is currently on harvest but once this concludes we expect to see a lift in demand throughout the region.
- Previous indications of an oversupply in the region following a favourable winter have now been reined back due to the dry finish.
- Prices have reduced this week with the introduction of new season feed into a slow market.
- There will be a lot of home-grown fodder made in the region this year which should see less hay traded in general.
- Pasture supply is becoming far less accessible.
- There is still some hay available from last season but quality can be varied so careful inspection prior to purchase is recommended.
- Cereal hay: -$30 ($200 to $250/t). Prices eased this week.
- Lucerne hay: +/-$0 ($330 to $380/t). Prices remain steady this week.
- Straw: +/-$0 ($100 to $110/t). Prices remain steady this week.
- Pasture hay: +/-$0 ($240 to $260/t). Prices remain steady this week.
Goulburn/Murray Valley
- More rainfall has slowed up the hay harvest in the region after weeks of dry weather and favourable curing conditions.
- Good volumes of new season feed of variable quality are now being traded in the market however demand is low.
- Big yields have reportedly saved a poor harvest quality wise with good supply being reported throughout the region.
- Comments suggest that feed tests are still likely to show a slump in quality this year compared to last and finding good value fodder will be more difficult.
- Hay produced is reportedly of good colour and high in fibre though.
- Good pasture availability is evident around the region but hay sheds are empty.
- Growers and hay traders are reporting a number of farmers significantly reducing orders, trying to supply themselves with feed to cut costs.
- There are pockets within the region that will far exceed expectations in terms of supply this year.
- Some crops worst hit by early rain events once destined for hay have been left for grain. This includes oaten crops.
- Cereal hay: +/-$0 ($130 to $180/t). Prices remain steady this week.
- Lucerne hay: +/-$0 ($220 to $240/t). Prices remain steady this week.
- Straw: +/-$0 ($110 to $140/t). Prices remain steady this week.
- Pasture hay: No supply reportedly available.
Gippsland
- A positive outlook is being reported by growers in the region now well into silage harvest.
- Farmers are now assessing their fodder requirements for the coming year but will reportedly look to utilise homegrown fodder as much as possible.
- The region has reportedly missed out on a number of big rain events that damaged crops to the north and west of the state.
- Hay quality is expected to be up this year if good harvesting conditions persist over the coming fortnight.
- Some parts of the region have already begun irrigating.
- Good pasture availability is keeping the demand to a minimum as is the competitive price of grain.
- There is likely to be less fodder transported into the region this year as greater volumes are produced within.
- Cereal hay: +/-$0 ($230 to $280/t). Prices remain steady this week however this is based on limited trading. New season fodder available outside the region is significantly cheaper and the same easing is likely in a fortnight’s time.
- Lucerne hay: +/-$0 ($350 to $380/t). Prices remain steady this week.
- Straw: +/-$0 ($130 to $160/t). Prices remain steady this week.
- Pasture hay: +/-$0 ($160 to $240/t). Prices remain steady this week.
Southwest Victoria
- Very little hay is currently being traded due to the focus still being on the hay harvest.
- New season feed prices firmed this week as the market settles and due to most hay being transported large distances.
- When more hay becomes available in the region we could see prices ease again.
- The region’s has been delayed again due to patchy rainfall.
- There will be good volumes of hay produced in the region this year but feed quality will be down compared to the last.
- When purchasing fodder this year, obtaining a feed test and mould and yeast tests are recommended to fully determine quality and value.
- Farmers are reporting that a great deal of vetch on the market at the moment is of poor quality. This is trading at between $260-$275/t.
- Good volumes of silage are being made in the region. Growers that have made silage later have had more success in terms of quality.
- There continues to be a low demand from farmers who are utilising home grown feed mostly at this point.
- Good pasture availability is evident throughout the region.
- As a result of the poor dairy situation, a number of farmers have elected to grow more of their own feed this year. This may reduce the amount of hay traded this year generally.
- Cereal hay: +$20 ($165 to $185/t). Prices firmed this week.
- Lucerne hay: +/-$0 ($280 to $300/t). Prices remain steady this week.
- Straw: +/-$0 ($120 to $130/t). Prices remain steady this week.
- Pasture hay: +/-$0 ($220 to $230/t).Prices remain steady this week however there are limited reports of trading.
Southeast South Australia
- Prices remained steady this week with limited trading taking place.
- Demand is low at the moment with the current hay harvest the main priority for most farmers.
- Farmers producing home grown fodder in the form of round bales and small squares are well up from previous years.
- Quality is reportedly poor throughout the region.
- Comments suggest that despite the poor start to spring, good volumes of fodder will still be made this year.
- It is possible that there will be an oversupply for lower quality feed this season and a number of growers will not produce the export quality feed they were aiming for.
- Cereal hay: +/-$0 ($140 to $200/t). Prices remain steady this week.
- Lucerne hay: +/-$0 ($240 to $260/t). Prices remain steady this week.
- Straw: +/-$0 ($100 to $120/t). Prices were steady this week.
- Pasture hay: +/-$0 ($160 to 240/t) Prices were steady this week. Note that there is limited supply in the region at this time.
Central South Australia
- Good volumes of fodder continue to be produced in the region during harvest, which is now nearing a close.
- Growers are reporting an average hay season overall with good supply but poor quality.
- Rain has put baling on hold for a few days at the moment however this is not likely to last.
- Hay trading has started up again in the region albeit slowly, with some higher end fodder firming prices slightly this week.
- The domestic price is closely aligned to the export price and reflects a surplus of mid-low grade fodder.
- Despite this slow market, the area has one of the best supplies of stored premium cereal hay in the country.
- Cereal hay: +$0 ($120 to 180/t). Prices remain steady this week.
- Lucerne hay: +/-$0 ($220 to 260/t). Prices remain steady this week.
- Straw: +/-$0 ($100 to $110/t). Prices remain steady this week.
- Pasture hay: N/A. No reported trading.
Southwest Western Australia
- There were no major changes to hay prices this week as harvest remains the key focus for most farmers and little hay is traded.
- There is also low demand from farmers as pasture is widely accessible and other feed option such as grain are price competitive.
- The outlook for this years hay season is average with good supply expected but variable quality.
- Patches within the region are expected to produce good quality feed this year however and this fodder will be in high demand.
- Reports indicate hay baled later is producing some good test results from labs compared to that baled earlier.
- Over three quarters of crops in the region were damaged by rain to some extent. Therefore careful inspection and obtaining a feed test is recommended to ensure value for money.
- Cereal hay: +/-$0 ($160 to $220/t). Prices remain steady this week.
- Lucerne hay: +/-$0 (470 to 520). Prices remain steady.
- Straw: +/-$0 ($90 to $110/t). Prices remain steady this week.
- Pasture hay: +/-$0 ($150 to $200/t). Prices remain steady this week.
Northwest Tasmania
- With harvest still ongoing on between rainfalls, there was little hay traded again this week in the region.
- The rain has affected a great deal of the feed produced in the region so far and has resulted in what’s being described as a difficult harvest.
- Frost has also had a negative impact on a number of crops.
- Feed tests and using a trusted supplier will be paramount this year as quality is likely to be variable.
- The north of the state is reportedly fairing much better in the ongoing harvest having experienced less rain from the recent storms fronts.
- Small volumes continue to be traded around the region however this is yet to really impact the market.
- Off the back of a bad dry year, there is a real shortage of last season’s feed restricting hay trading and any price reduction.
- Also as a result of last year’s tight times, many farmers are looking to cut costs by focussing on home grown fodder this season.
- This may see less hay traded in the region this season.
- Pasture availability remains quite good and is preventing any immediacy to buy.
- Grain prices are also very competitive at the moment resulting in less interest in hay.
- Cereal hay: +/-$0 ($230 to 270/t) Prices remain steady this week.
- Lucerne hay: +/-$0 ($330 to 350/t) Prices remain steady this week.
- Straw: +/-$0 ($150 to 170/t) Prices remain steady this week.
- Pasture hay: +/-$0 ($240 to 260/t) Prices remain steady this week.