National Summary
- The Australian fodder industry is fairly dormant at this time of year as the focus on farm turns to grain harvesting. There is very little demand for feed at present, with green pastures providing for grazing herds, and lots of carryover to supplement from last year’s bumper season. It has been reported that yields are down 41% this year compared to last, with a high variation of quality tested. Prices remain mostly steady this week and forecast to firm in the New Year as supply lessens
- After a particularly rainy and stormy end to spring, we highly recommend testing for mould and bacteria. We also recommend testing bale moisture content as a precaution to spontaneous combustion. Concerns of an army-worm plague are being reported in Gippsland and spraying has begun.
- There is growing interest from the dairy industry in high quality energy and protein hay and there is some vetch available out of Victoria. Long term supply of quality protein hay may not be assured this year and there is increasing demand to buy up stocks prior to the New Year.
- Exporters continue to be active in the hay market and are looking to secure new season, quality supply; this exporter interest will help set a price in some regions for the new season hay.
Northern Australia – Summary
- Patchy rainfall has dominated the forecast for months in the northern region of Australia; however this has eased and allowed for hay production.
- Generally, temperatures appear to be cooler on average and are beginning to heat up.
- There is a feed-gap in southern Queensland firming prices and shifting demand to the Victorian market for good quality protein and energy fodder.
- Demand for product in north QLD is low, as persistent rainfall coupled with favourable growing temperatures have meant less feeding out and more grazing for animals.
- Securing long term, reliable supplies of quality hay may well be an issue for the north as the year progresses with demand expected to be greater than supply.
- We suggest caution when purchasing fodder at the moment, particularly protein hay, as there continues to be a great deal of variability in what’s being traded.
Southern Australia – Summary
- Hay trading is largely dormant in the south at present, largely due to late spring weather conducive to growing green pastures and to the focus on grain harvesting.
- There is some silage production and feeding in the southern region, particularly in West Gippsland, which is early for the year.
- The region is once again expected to produce more than enough hay this season and will remain a strong source of supply to other regions in need throughout the country; this is being complemented by a good silage year.
Western Australia – Summary
- There has been a slight increase in price of cereal hay this week to account for some very high quality product coming out of the Pingrup district.
- Pasture prices also firmed last week to account for the variability in product, ranging from cheaper meadow pasture to improved clover and medic varieties.
- Cereal harvesting is finished and straw is beginning to be cut and baled.
- There remains reasonable good supply of carryover stocks of low/medium grade hay in the system but care should be exercised when buying this.
- Demand for carryover hay from the northern WA sheep industry is strong this week and should continue after a dry winter.
- The domestic market is not expected to provide a lift in hay trading until after Christmas now.
- The export industry continues to dominate the WA market and is a solid indicator on pricing. Exporters continue to seek out quality hay and as a result, will set the price in the market for quality hay.
Regional Commentary
Atherton Tablelands
- There has been reports of haymaking and truck movement in the Tablelands this week as stormy weather has eased off a little bit.
- There is still a lot of grass about for grazing animals, and demand for local hay is still quiet.
- Traders will be looking to move old season stock to make room for new season hay in sheds.
- Prices remain steady for this week.
- Pasture hay: +/-$0 ($200 to $350/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.
Darling Downs
- A heatwave is expected across the Eastern coast of Australia, which may be the cause for concern for hay quality in Darling Downs and the southern coastal regions.
- A heatwave is particularly concerning for those areas that did not receive adequate rainfall in the early December major rain event.
- There has been some trading of weather-affected lucerne and sorghum forages this week.
- There are reports of a 5-6 week feed gap in the Downs region, where winter supply is low and summer feed isn’t quite ready yet.
- Demand for good quality protein and energy feed has increased and supply is beginning to come from the southern areas such as Victoria.
- The dairy industry is driving sales compared to feedlots which have reduced stocking rates and less need for feed.
- Cereal hay: +/-$0 ($280 to $320/t). Prices remain steady this week.
- Lucerne hay: +/-$0 ($330 to $420/t). Prices remain steady this week.
- Straw: +/-$0 ($180 to $250/t). Prices remain steady this week.
North Coast NSW
- The North Coast has had some relief from rainfall this week with forecasts of up to 10 clear days, inducing haymaking in the region.
- There are reports of concern on quality of hay produced this season, as persistent rainfall encouraged growth and compromised on hay-grading.
- Temperatures are still reportedly cooler on average.
- Trading is quiet due to high growth-levels of grass and there has been no price change this week.
- There is a limited supply of cereal hay, lucerne and straw in the region. Lucerne is being sourced from Southern Queensland from Tamworth and Gatto.
- Very little vetch of good quality is available for $300-$350/t however there is reportedly little demand for this, except from the dairy industry.
- Cereal hay: +/-$0 ($280 to $300/t). Prices remain steady this week.
- Lucerne hay: +/-$0 ($350 to $400/t). Prices remain steady this week.
- Straw: +/-$0 ($180 to $240/t). Prices remain steady this week.
- Pasture hay: +/-$0 ($200 to $250/t). Prices remain steady this week.
Central West NSW
- There is little activity going on with cereal haymaking finished and sheds stacked ready to sell to the market.
- Second cuts of lucerne are on hold whilst rain dominates daily weather. It is expected that only two cuts of lucerne will occur prior to Christmas, which is one short of usual.
- Lucerne quality might be second-grade this year as it has been left to grow during persistent rainfall, but yields should be adequate.
- One of the biggest challenge for Central West NSW is the persistent rainfall impacting on harvesting, dragging out the season. There is a lot of high moisture-content hay available. Temperatures are still relatively cool for this time of year.
- There is enquiry from within the region for good quality protein and demand for local protein from Bega. South Australia and Victoria are no longer purchasing from this area.
- Local demand from feedlots, dairy, equine and produce industries appears to be strong within the region, particularly for small squares. Large bales have dropped off in demand.
- Cereal hay: +/-$0 ($180 to $220/t). Prices remain steady this week.
- Lucerne hay: +/-$0 ($280 to $3500/t). Prices remain steady this week.
- Straw: +/-$0 ($110 to $130/t). Prices remain steady this week.
- Pasture hay: +/-$0 ($150 to 200/t). Prices remain steady this week.
Bega Valley
- Bega is benefitting from the heavy rainfall two weekends back with silage making underway.
- Bega growers are expecting to cut quite a lot of hay this year, increasing supply in the region, which is a relief to many farmers. Some millet sowing has begun this week.
- There are reports of little rainfall in the coming week.
- Demand has quietened over the last week with green grass growing in paddocks. There is less concern in the region following the rains that there won’t be enough fodder, especially now that silage is being produced.
- There were no changes to hay prices reported in the Bega region this week. Prices remain steady for cereal hay, lucerne, straw and pasture hay.
- Cereal hay: +/-$0 ($190 to $230/t). Prices remain steady this week.
- Lucerne hay: +/-$0 ($320 to $350/t). Prices remain steady this week.
- Straw: +/-$0 ($120 to $150/t). Prices remain steady this week.
- Pasture hay: +/-$0 ($180 to $210/t). Prices remain steady this week.
Goulburn/Murray Valley
- There should be some straw cut in the next week in the Goulburn and Murray regions following the current grain harvest. Otherwise, there is not much fodder being cut or produced with the exception of second and third cut lucerne.
- There hasn’t been much rain since last weeks reported heavy rain event.
- Temperatures have started to heat up for the summer, with reports of up to 40 degrees Celsius on Wednesday and 35 degrees on Thursday.
- Demand is pretty poor at this time of year and is expected to lift in Autumn.
- Otherwise, prices remain steady this week.
- Cereal hay: +/-$0 ($80 to $140/t). Prices remain steady this week.
- Lucerne hay: +/-$0 ($230 to $300/t). Prices remain steady this week.
- Straw: +/-$0 ($90 to $100/t). Prices remain steady this week.
- Pasture hay: +/-$0 ($150-180/t). Prices remain steady this week.
Gippsland
- Haymaking is almost wrapped up after some very high temperatures in the Gippsland region.
- Temperatures reached 37 degrees Celsius on Wednesday this week and current forecasts are predicting up to 40 degrees on. Not much rain is forecasted in the coming weeks however irrigated areas should not have problems after reported dam spills in the last two weeks.
- Army worms are decimating crops near the West Gippsland region, reportedly reducing yields by 50-60% in some areas. Spraying has started.
- Silage was fed out 4-6 weeks early this year, which may be troublesome in the short-term in order to secure enough fodder for livestock.
- Vetch is coming from Avoca to supplement silage feed, which is delivered for $245-$260 per tonne.
- A high demand in good quality cereal hay is to be expected in February 2018 once the silage is finished.
- Due to the frequent rainfall in the west, we recommend obtaining a mould and yeast test, a feed test and using a trusted a supplier.
- Prices have not changed.
- Cereal hay: +/-$0 ($140 to $210/t). Prices remain steady this week.
- Lucerne hay: +/-$0 ($290 to $320/t). Prices remain steady this week.
- Straw: +/-$0 ($130 to $160/t). Prices remain steady this week. Prices are indicative for last season, with no new season straw available.
- Pasture hay: +/-$0 ($120 to $240/t). Prices remain steady this week.
Southwest Victoria
- Demand for fodder is still quite slow at the moment and very little changes in pricing are reported.
- There is little enquiry for wheaten hay, however there is limited supply in the region.
- There is very little interest in vetch at the moment which is selling for $245-$275 (+GST) delivered.
- Cereal hay: +/-$0($110 to $190/t). Prices remain steady this week.
- Lucerne hay: +/-$0 ($250 to $290/t). Prices remain steady this week.
- Straw: +/-$0($110 to $130/t). Prices remain steady this week.
- Pasture hay: +/-$0 ($110 to $160/t). Prices remain steady this week.
Southeast South Australia
- There have been patchy thunderstorms reported in this region over the past week.
- The grain harvest is dominating work on farms, and not much fodder activity is happening, with the exception of second cut lucerne.
- There is very little demand for feed across Southeast South Australia at the moment.
- Grass is still quite green in the southern areas, and may continue to be until after Christmas, which is most likely contributing to low demand.
- According to sources, Southeast South Australia is having one of the best seasons in 16 years for hay production with quantity and quality up, although plenty of stockpiles which may impact on prices.
- New season vetch is available at $200/t on farm. Limited old-season vetch is available for $180-$190/t.
- No changes in pricing reported this week.
- Cereal hay: +/-$0 ($80 to $140/t). Prices remain steady this week.
- Lucerne hay: +/-$0 ($160 to $260/t). Prices remain steady this week.
- Straw: +/-$0 ($60 to $90/t). Prices remain steady this week.
- Pasture hay: +/-$0 ($70 to 150/t). Prices remain steady this week.
Central South Australia
- Most of the hay has been baled in Central South Australia, with the exception of second cut lucerne.
- Temperatures are a little cooler than usual however they expect to pick up in the coming week.
- Domestic trading is still slow and is not expected to pick up until the end of summer when local and interstate demand increases.
- Reportedly, trade of hay into QLD is steady.
- Exporters and growers are looking to sell mid-low grade carryover stocks to make room for new season good quality hay.
- Obtaining a feed test when buying hay is highly recommended.
- No price changes noted this week.
- Cereal hay: +/-$0 ($90 to 140/t). Prices remain steady this week.
- Lucerne hay: +/-$0 ($250 to 300/t). Prices remain steady this week.
- Straw: +/-$0 ($80 to $110/t). Prices remain steady this week.
Southwest Western Australia
- Some of the dairy and feedlot regions ranging from Bunbury to Albany on the south coast of Western Australia reportedly received up to 100mm of rainfall in an hour in the past week. This may have damaged some feed and pastures; however no increase in demand has been reported.
- Local demand is steady and there is some light trading going on. This is expected to pick up in January.
- There is no much else to report on in this region with hay business lying dormant.
- Cereal hay prices have firmed this week after some feed tests bringing back very high quality results.
- Cereal hay: +$25 ($100 to $250/t). Prices have firmed this week.
- Lucerne hay: +/-$0 ($450 to $490). Prices remain steady this week.
- Straw: +/-$0 ($90 to 110/t) Prices remain steady this week.
- Pasture hay: +/-$0 ($80 to $200/t). Prices remain steady this week.
- It is worth noting that what is classified as pasture hay in WA can vary greatly from meadow hay to sewn medics, citronella and clovers. Medics and clovers expect to get higher prices than meadow grass.
Northwest Tasmania
- The driest regions of Tasmania in the north-east to south-east received some well-needed rain over the last two weeks.
- The large amount of rain appears to have soaked most of the land and filled reserves, which is promising for irrigators. There are no reports of damage to cereals thus far, except for some light erosion.
- The rains should extend the growing season, increasing supply of fodder in Tasmania.
- There is still a lot of carryover from last season.
- There has been no change in price this week and trading is still fairly quiet.
- Cereal hay: +/-$0 ($160 to 220/t) Prices remain steady this week.
- Lucerne hay: +/-$0 ($220 to 300/t) Prices remain steady this week.
- Straw: +/-$0 ($100 to 140/t) Prices remain steady this week.
- Pasture hay: +/-$0 ($140 to 190/t) Prices remain steady this week.