National Summary
- Hay trading appears to be picking up slightly in the far south of Australia as January temperatures begin to heat up. Areas that received little rainfall in late spring and December are beginning to dry out too and enquiry for fodder is becoming more apparent.
- There is little straw being cut in the south of Australia after a heavy year in 2016, and summer sorghums and Rhodes grass pastures are also being cut in the north of New South Wales and south of Queensland.
- The export industry is beginning to assess new season fodder for shipment to China. Reports of high quality product is coming out of Western Australia, however after some persistent late spring and early summer rainfall across Australia, there is some weather damaged hay around.
- Trading generally is slow and dormant in most regions and prices remain steady. Domestic demand is expected to lift as the summer heat dries out pastures.
Northern Australia – Summary
- Summer has kicked off in north-eastern Australia with hot temperatures and reports of high humidity heading into the wet season.
- There is still a feed-gap in southern Queensland, which could lead to price firms and shifting demand to the Victorian market for good quality protein and energy fodder.
- Demand for product in northern Queensland is low, as persistent rainfall coupled with favourable growing temperatures has encouraged on farm grazing.
- 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 dormant in the south with pockets of enquiry, largely due to late spring weather conducive to growing green pastures.
- There is some silage production and feeding in the southern region, particularly Bega and in West Gippsland.
- There have been some reports of haystack fires due to high moisture content and is it recommended that bale moisture is tested prior to stacking.
- Due to high levels of persistent rainfall in spring, we recommend obtaining a mould and yeast test, a feed test, and using a trusted a supplier.
- 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
- Very high quality tested cereals are reported in the Pingrup district and are now available for purchase.
- Pasture prices remain highly variable depending on the species of grass. Unimproved meadow pasture should fetch lower prices compared to improved sown clover and medic varieties.
- Straw harvests are beginning to wind up as they move south.
- 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 late January.
- 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 is still a lot of grass about in the Tablelands after stormy, hot and humid weather.
- 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
- Warm-hot weather and patchy rains continue to be reported in the Downs region. Patchy rainfall has left some growers without rain for some time and others with plenty of green pastures and consistency is lacking.
- Some forage sorghum is starting to be cut for hay. There has been stormy weather reported so minor damage to new sorghum is to be expected.
- No millet has been cut thus far but it is reportedly not far away.
- Limited demand from dairy feedlots because of the patchy rain.
- The Darling Downs feed gap is still present however local demand for feed has decreased, most likely due to patchy rainfall.
- Lucerne prices have eased this week.
- Cereal hay: +/-$0 ($280 to $320/t). Prices remain steady this week.
- Lucerne hay: -$25 ($300 to $400/t). Prices have eased this week.
- Straw: +/-$0 ($180 to $250/t). Prices remain steady this week.
North Coast NSW
- Demand is very slow in the north coast region of New South Wales.
- Consistent patchy rainfall has been reported right throughout summer with few breaks to make hay.
- Reports of Rhodes grass pasture hay has been cut and baled in the last week.
- There are reports of concern on quality of hay produced this season, as persistent rainfall encouraged growth and compromised on hay grading.
- Trading is quiet due to high growth-levels of grass.
- No price changes are noted this week.
- 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
- The Central West is still experiencing consistent rainfall since late spring, which has impacted on haymaking activities. Some hay was made in late December, but there was only a very short window of opportunity due to wet conditions.
- Lucerne quality might be second-grade this year as it has been left to grow during persistent rainfall, but yields should be adequate.
- 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.
- There is very little straw in the region. What is available is generally of poor quality with rain damage after the grain harvest.
- Cereal hay: +/-$0 ($150 to $220/t). Prices remain steady this week.
- Lucerne hay: +/-$0 ($250 to $350/t). Prices remain steady this week.
- Straw: +/-$0 ($80 to $110/t). Prices remain steady this week.
- Pasture hay: +/-$0 ($150 to 200/t). Prices remain steady this week.
Bega Valley
- Demand is reportedly steady in Bega.
- Temperatures have been mild-warm in January and demand is expected to increase as temperatures heat up.
- Pasture prices vary greatly due to different species found in paddocks. Sown clovers should sell for a higher price that meadow grasses.
- There is no change in price reported this week.
- 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 ($140 to $210/t). Prices remain steady this week.
Goulburn/Murray Valley
- Fodder is finished in the Goulburn Murray Valley.
- It is very hot and dry, which is typical for the region.
- Demand is very quiet at this time of year, possibly du to lots of carryover in farm sheds. Demand is expected to lift in late summer to early 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
- There is much variation in quality and quantity grown in Gippsland, with very dry conditions expected for most of the year in the East and wet conditions in the West.
- Reports of caterpillars called army worms are decimating crops near the West Gippsland region, reportedly reducing yields by 50-60% in some areas. Spraying has begun.
- 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.
- There have been no reported changes this week.
- 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.
- Pasture hay: +/-$0 ($120 to $240/t). Prices remain steady this week.
Southwest Victoria
- There is some activity in Southwest Victoria this week with the last of the frosted wheat being baled near Skipton.
- Reportedly, approximately 30% of straw around the Skipton area has been baled with more to come.
- Demand for fodder is still quite slow at the moment and is expected to increase when the weather warms up. The weather reportedly seems slightly cooler than usual for the time of year with only the odd hot day.
- There is little enquiry for wheaten hay, however there is limited supply in the region. There are some carryover cereals available.
- Due to the frequent rainfall in spring, we recommend obtaining a mould and yeast test, a feed test and using a trusted a supplier.
- There is very little interest in vetch which is selling for $245-$270 (+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 has been a fire in Murray Bridge this week that has destroyed Thomas Foods International abattoir, Australia's largest family-owned meat processing plant. It will be interesting to see what impact this has on the local fodder market.
- There is still a lot of low-grade carryover in Southeast Australia, which has, and will continue to hamper local demand for feed.
- There is very little demand for fodder across Southeast South Australia at the moment however there are murmurs that the local prime lamb market will increase demand for new high quality feed in future.
- The land in Southeast South Australia is beginning to dry out now which should contribute to some increased demand this month.
- 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
- Summer is in full swing Central South Australia, with few hot days as to be expected.
- Domestic trading is still fairly steady with plenty of carryover from 2016 and is not expected to pick up until the end of summer when local and interstate demand increases.
- There has been a fire in Murray Bridge this week that has destroyed Thomas Foods International abattoir, Australia's largest family-owned meat processing plant. It will be interesting to see what impact this has on the local fodder market.
- 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
- The harvest is winding down for the season, as the last of straw grass is being cut and baled in the south. There wasn't much straw produced this year in Western Australia as there was a high quantity produced last year and very little domestic demand. Export straw demand is consistent yet in small quantities.
- The export market demand is consistent in WA, as the exporters are just receiving new season oaten hay and are beginning to make assessments. Quality is high this year with minor weather damage.
- Production in 2017 was average to below average. Fairly significant droughts in the east have contributed to lower quantities, but it's relatively average considering the high yields in 2016.
- Reportedly there is a cyclone brewing near Broome and there's potential for that to impact the mid-west to central agricultural region.
- Straw prices have eased slightly this week with no other price changes reported.
- Cereal hay: +/-$0 ($100 to $250/t). Prices remain steady this week.
- Lucerne hay: +/-$0 ($450 to $490). Prices remain steady this week.
- Straw: -$5 ($80 to 110/t) Prices have eased 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
- It is very dry in Tasmania at the moment with very little rainfall over late December and early January. There is little forecasted rain for this week, but not enough to sustain non-irrigated farmland.
- Demand is starting to pick up as a consequence with more enquiries for oaten hay reportedly in the Northwest.
- Straw harvest has kicked off in the last week and a half with headers around on farm. Grass straw is being cut and baling is just beginning. It is too early to tell what the quality of this harvest is and whether straw prices will change. .
- There has been no change in price this week, but prices are expected to firm in the coming weeks.
- 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.