National Summary
- The fodder market is fairly steady throughout Australia at present. Demand appears to be beginning to firm in the north-eastern regions of Australia, around Darling Downs and Central New South Wales. The southern states of Australia, particularly northern Victoria and southern New South Wales, appear to be accommodating the demand from the northern regions.
- The weather report is quite varied across Australia. The temperate climatic regions of the south of Australia are experiencing tropical weather of high humidity and moisture. Conversely, the northern tropics are experiencing a dry summer, which is a cause of concern for business. Spontaneous summer rains are impacting on haymaking activities throughout the country and spoiling curing hay.
- There appears to be little straw harvested this year and it is expected that demand will exceed supply.
- The export industry is beginning to assess new season fodder for shipment overseas. Reports of very 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
- Weather is unusually dry in southern Queensland. Locals are relying on a reported monsoon landing on the weekend.
- Demand for product in northern Queensland is low, as persistent rainfall coupled with favourable growing temperatures has encouraged on farm grazing. Conversely demand is firming in the south of Queensland as supply is very limited and rain has been absent.
- 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
- There is still quite a lot of carryover from 2016 and sheds are filled with new season hay.
- Hay trading is dormant in the south with pockets of enquiry, largely due to late spring weather conducive to growing green pastures and plenty of carryover.
- 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
- There has been no rainfall for a couple of weeks in Western Australia.
- 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 and should continue after a dry winter.
- The domestic market is not expected to provide a lift in hay trading until late January.
- 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.
- 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
- Some big storms passed through the tablelands this week, interfering with a haymaking window for the area.
- Local demand is steady and only small squares and few round bales for hobby farmers are being cut with no big orders places thus far. It is expected that demand will remain steady for near future.
- 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
- Overall, the Darling Downs and southern Queensland region is reportedly quite dry at this time of year, without the usual tropical summer storms and rain. There is a monsoon pushing towards the region and is reported by meteorologists to arrive over the weekend. This would bring much relief to the locals.
- Demand is fairly steady in Darling Downs. Fodder is being sought from the southern states of Australia, as there is a limited local supply. Demand will be much greater than supply this year.
- Prices remain steady this week.
- Cereal hay: +/-$0 ($280 to $320/t). Prices remain steady this week.
- Lucerne hay: +/-$0 ($300 to $400/t). Prices remain steady this week.
- Straw: +/-$0 ($180 to $250/t). Prices remain steady this week.
North Coast NSW
- The North Coast reportedly continues to receive patchy rainfall in areas over the summer.
- Demand is fairly stagnant as a result which is common at this time of year with little enquiry and trading.
- There are reports of concern on quality of hay produced this season, as persistent rainfall encouraged growth and compromised on hay grading.
- 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
- Demand is fairly quiet and steady in the central west of New South Wales. Regular contractors such as feedlots, dairy, equine and produce industries are keeping things steady yet there is limited external demand in the market right now.
- There are predictions that demand may not pick up until winter if there is no change soon, as summer rainfall has reportedly been above average for the region.
- There is quite a lot of hay available in the region.
- Lucerne is on its 4th/5th cut, and should have another 8-10 weeks left. Quality is second-grade this year as average summer rainfall prevented cutting at the optimum stage, but yields should be adequate.
- The price of straw has eased this week. There is very little straw available in the region and is generally of poor quality with rain damage after the grain harvest.
- Prices remain steady.
- 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 $90/t). Prices remain steady this week.
- Pasture hay: +/-$0 ($150 to 200/t). Prices remain steady this week.
Bega Valley
- Demand is reportedly fairly steady to firm in Bega as land begins to dry out.
- Cereal prices have firmed as supply in the area eases.
- Temperatures have been warming up in January and demand is expected continue to firm from now onwards.
- Cereal hay: +$25 ($220 to $250/t). Prices have firmed 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
- The summer season has been unusual for this area. Reported differences are harsh and quick cool changes, tropical humidity and summer rainfall.
- Parts of Northern Victoria received 12-40mm rainfall this week, after 10-12 days of hot and dry temperatures amenable to haymaking.
- Demand is coming from New South Wales and Queensland, with enquiry for good quality hay from sheep and equine industries as well as exporters. Dairy seems to be chasing carryover from 2016.
- Prices remain steady this week however there are murmurings of firmed cereal prices, as demand gets stronger.
- 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 to180/t). Prices remain steady this week.
Gippsland
- Demand seems to be steady in the region and beginning to firm in the east.
- 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
- Straw is being baled in Southwest Victoria but it is reportedly mainly for the export market.
- Demand for fodder is still quite slow at the moment and is expected to increase in February. Enquiry is steady and regular contracts are being fulfilled.
- There is some vetch enquiry in the region which is selling for $245-$265 (+GST) delivered.
- Good quality new season hay ranges from $140-$190, although there is a lot of carryover stock selling for less.
- 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: -$10($90 to $130/t). Prices have eased this week.
- Pasture hay: +/-$0 ($110 to $160/t). Prices remain steady this week.
Southeast South Australia
- There is still a lot of low-grade carryover in Southeast Australia, which has, and will continue to hamper local demand for feed.
- Land is beginning to dry out though, so it is expected that demand will increase – it’s too early to tell whether this will be enough to get through carryover.
- New season vetch is available at $200/t on farm. Limited old-season vetch is available for $180-$190/t.
- No price changes are noted this week.
- Cereal hay: +/-$0 ($60 to $140/t). Prices remain steady this week.
- Lucerne hay: +/-$0 ($160 to $200/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
- Enquiry for hay in central SA is firming in central South Australia.
- 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 have been no reports of price changes 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
- Soil is beginning to dry out, with warm temperatures an no reported rainfall in Southwest Western Australia for a couple of weeks.
- 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 in small quantities.
- There have been reports of little enquiry from northern WA this week from sheep farmers.
- Export demand for good quality fodder is steady. Quality is high this year with minor weather damage.
- There is no price change noted this week.
- Cereal hay: +/-$0 ($100 to $250/t). Prices remain steady this week.
- Lucerne hay: +/-$0 ($450 to $490). Prices remain steady this week.
- Straw: +/-$0 ($80 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
- Demand is fairly steady in Tasmania at the moment, with not much new enquiry. Demand for grass straw is particularly strong at the moment with not much about.
- Reportedly, last seasons hay was less than average in yields and in quality.
- Straw baling is almost finished for the season.
- There has been no change in price this week, but prices are expected to firm in the next month.
- 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.