National Summary
- There were limited changes to hay prices this week with the market still to truly get going. Harvest is ongoing with mixed albeit improved results being reported.
- A number of hay traders and growers in the South are reportedly struggling to move fodder with little interest from farmers due to a growing oversupply of average hay and plentiful home grown feed. This has seen prices ease over the past weeks and comments suggest this could continue.
- In Northern regions, while also struggling to find quality fodder, farmers are experiencing a much greater demand due to extremely dry conditions along coastal QLD and Northern NSW. Reports indicate that although this is yet to have any significant impact on hay prices, the interest has held prices firmer.
Northern Australia – Summary
- Harvest is now in full swing throughout Northern regions.
- The fodder outlook for Northern regions differs greatly between those that dried out early and those that didn’t.
- Storms have returned this week but little rainfall has fallen as a result.
- Coastal regions have been very dry for some time now and it’s expected to maintain demand over the coming months.
- 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 that was baled later is displaying an improvement in quality.
- Hay prices have come back somewhat from last year in response to the poorer quality.
- There was an increase in interest this week from hay buyers however most of these are small volumes for farmers feeding in a hand to mouth manner.
- The level of interest in hay is being described as much higher than normal for this time of year.
- Select parts of the North West have enjoyed a welcome return to a wet winter and a positive spring, producing better volumes of feed this year.
Southern Australia – Summary
- There continues to be little demand to meet the growing supply of hay in Southern regions.
- Enormous yields are resulting in large volumes of hay being produced in the key hay making areas as well as lesser known regions.
- 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.
- Prices this year have remained well back from the previous year’s due to the low quality and growing oversupply.
- Farmers are commenting that this year will certainly be a ‘buyers market’ for hay.
- 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 but good feed grass and low grain prices are limiting urgency.
- 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
- As is usually the case in WA, having such a strong export sector, the domestic price currently reflects that of the export hay price quite closely.
- Prices are currently back from last year.
- Reports indicate hay baled earlier is of mostly poor quality however this has improved a great deal in recent weeks.
- Some good feed is now being baled in the drier regions of the west.
- The impact of rainfall has been variable but the vast majority of growers did experience rain during harvest at some point.
- 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, keeping demand low at this time.
- The northern section of the region has experienced worse rain damage than other regions.
Regional Commentary
Atherton Tablelands
- Some good volumes of fodder have been produced in the region so far this harvest.
- Conditions have dried out significantly in recent weeks.
- Farmers are reporting limited pasture availability however there remain a low demand for fodder due to decent stocks in sheds.
- Despite not being known as a large hay producing region, the tablelands are likely to produce above average volumes of fodder this season.
- There isn’t expected to be any major jump in trading in the coming weeks.
- Farmers weaning cattle and feedlotters continue to be major buyers in the market, however this is usually in smaller volumes.
- 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
- There was a spike in interest this week with hay traders reporting growing enquiry for purchased fodder.
- This is yet to have a major impact on pricing for cereal hay which has held this week.
- Prices for lucerne have eased at the top end as more feed comes onto the market.
- Strong demand from coastal regions is putting pressure on the Down’s supply already and subsequently keeping prices more expensive.
- Mixed quality is being reported from the region’s growers from this year’s harvest however recent weeks have seen some improvements.
- Most are expecting a lower level of feed quality than previous years and there is expected to be a surplus of poor quality feed.
- There are pockets of the region that will produce a lot of hay, particularly to the west, due to a more favourable spring.
- Good amounts of silage have been produced already in the region and this is reportedly of good quality.
- Chaff mills continue to be consistent buyers in the market but are having little impact on prices due to the nature of buying.
- Cereal hay: +/-$0 ($220 to $240/t). Prices remain steady this week.
- Lucerne hay -$25 ($320 to $350/t). Prices eased this week.
- Straw: +/-$0 ($110 to $160/t). Prices remain steady this week however some growing have started cutting straw so changes could occur in the coming weeks.
- Pasture hay: N/A at this time.
North Coast NSW
- Prices firmed this week reflecting a greater amount of fodder being freighted from inland due to limited supply in the region.
- Reports indicate there is now a strong demand within the region, far earlier than anticipated due to an early dry finish which has limited hay production and diminished pasture availability.
- Hay produced in the region has been generally poor in terms of quality.
- Comments suggest the farmers in the region are now hoping for some significant rainfall to get their season back on track.
- Buying in small quantities for hobbies farms continues but is having no impact on pricing at this point.
- Cereal hay: +$20 ($220 to $250/t). Prices firmed this week.
- Lucerne hay: +$10 ($300 to $350/t). Prices firmed 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
- Hay trading has lifted this week in the region helped along by price reductions for cereal.
- 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 however as harvest progresses we are hearing more promising reports of higher quality feed being produced.
- There are a number of crops in the region that have been damaged due to the sustained wet winter and we could see a surplus of poor quality feed.
- Comments suggest any further 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.
- There is now limited grass feed available as the area has dried out significantly in recent weeks.
- 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: -$30 ($160 to $210/t). Prices have eased this week as new season fodder is traded in the market.
- Lucerne hay: +/-$0 ($290 to $330/t) Prices remain steady this week however there is reportedly a great deal of poor quality first cut lucerne available for $200/t.
- 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 continued dry spell is beginning to lift the level of enquiry for hay in the region well ahead of schedule.
- This year’s harvest has brought about mixed results in terms of quality but decent amounts of feed are now being produced.
- Prices eased this week reflecting some new season feed entering the market and becoming more accessible.
- The focus for farmers is currently on harvest and we don’t expect to see major jumps in buying for the coming weeks despite the growing interest.
- Previous indications of an oversupply in the region following a favourable winter have now been reined back due to the dry finish.
- There will be a lot of home-grown fodder made in the region this year which should see less hay traded in general.
- There is still some hay available from last season but quality can be varied so careful inspection prior to purchase is recommended.
- Cereal hay: -$15 ($180 to $240/t). Prices eased this week.
- Lucerne hay: -$15 ($330 to $350/t). Prices eased at the top end 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
- The region continues to focus on the hay harvest this week but reports of hay trading have lifted.
- Good volumes of new season feed of variable quality is available in the region due to record breaking yields.
- With the abundance of poorer quality feed, prices are now sitting well back from previous years.
- Comments suggest that feed tests are still likely to show a slump in quality this year compared with last and finding good value fodder will be more difficult.
- Decent pasture availability remains for most however many farmers are reporting thin supplies of hay in sheds.
- A number of farmers will look to cover their own feed requirements this year with home grown fodder 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
- Good volumes of fodder are being produced in the region, well up from last year.
- Farmers are now assessing their fodder requirements for the coming year but will reportedly look to utilise homegrown fodder as much as possible.
- A cheap grain price is also a competitive feed alternative which may see less hay traded in the region this year.
- The region has reportedly missed out on a number of big rain events that damaged crops to the north and west of the state.
- As a result of these conditions, hay quality is reportedly quite promising.
- With the dry conditions persisting, some parts of the region have already begun irrigating.
- Cereal hay: -$45 ($180 to $240/t). Prices eased this week and could do so further once hay from the region becomes more accessible.
- Lucerne hay: -$50 ($280 to $350/t). Prices have eased 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
- There remains very little interest in purchased fodder in the southwest as farmers continue to focus on home grown feed.
- There is growing concern from growers producing poorer quality feed that this make it be difficult to sell due to an oversupply in the market.
- Hay harvest is still yet to really get underway in the region with the focus still on silage.
- Prices could ease further once hay is baled within the region by saving on freight.
- There will be good volumes of hay produced in the region this year but feed quality will be well 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.
- Good pasture availability is evident throughout the region.
- Cereal hay: +$5 ($160 to $200/t). Prices firmed at the top end this week due to some better quality feed being produced up North.
- Lucerne hay: -$40 ($280 to $300/t). Prices eased 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
- Hay prices remain unchanged in the region this week due to limited trading taking place.
- Demand is low at the moment with the current hay harvest the main priority for most farmers.
- Reports indicate that due to a tight dairy situation and premium prices for hay last year, a lot of farmers are trying their hand at making hay this season with mixed results.
- Growers are reporting a generally poor season in term of quality with few windows of opportunity to get hay dry throughout harvest.
- 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.
- We suggest getting a feed test to ensure the quality of purchased fodder.
- 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
- The region has produced good quality feed in the past week which has led prices to firm slightly.
- Harvest is now nearing a close and good volumes of feed have been produced already thanks to enormous yields.
- Overall, quality is well down from last year and prices reflect this currently.
- There is a low demand coming from farmers at the moment and very little trading currently taking place.
- 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: +$20 ($140 to 200/t). Prices firmed 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 was no change to hay prices this week, after easing previously reflecting a lower quality level of feed this year.
- Limited hay is currently being traded due to a generally low level of demand coming from farmers at this point.
- The outlook for this year’s hay season is strong with terrific yields resulting in good supply 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.
- With over three quarters of the region experiencing damaging rainfall and frost during spring, we recommend getting a feed test and using a trusted supplier when purchasing fodder this season.
- 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
- Little hay was traded this week with the hay harvest delayed substantially due to wet weather.
- Growers are reporting great difficulty drying hay and a lot of the feed that been produced so far is of poor quality.
- There is currently a strong demand for small squares for horses.
- It seems the region may be heading for another tight year in terms of supply but due to ongoing wet weather as opposed to last year’s dry.
- Frost has also had a negative impact on a number of crops as have floods.
- 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.
- With no hay in sheds, there isn’t expected to be any major price reductions on the horizon despite the lower quality feed on the market.
- 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 which could see less hay traded in the region.
- 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.