National Summary
- There has been little change in the hay market this week, with demand appearing to be steady throughout the country. There are no price changes noted across the country.
- New season hay and weatherproofed carryover from 2016 in the central NSW, Goulburn/Murray Valley region in northern Victoria and Bega in southern New South Wales appear to be accommodating demand from Queensland and New South Wales. Reportedly, the western district of Victoria and southeast South Australia should be expecting demand from the west and north of central South Australia. Supply of medics and vetch are reportedly limited in central South Australia and in demand as sheep commodity prices are healthy.
- The weather report is quite varied and unpredictable across Australia. Generally, the south and east coast areas right across Australia, except Tasmania, have experience high temperatures in the last week. There have been storms in Queensland, impacting on haymaking activities.
- There appears to be little straw available this year as grain yields are down by 40%. It is expected that demand will exceed supply.
- Demand for fodder is only expected to increase throughout March.
Northern Australia – Summary
- 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.
- Australia’s cottonseed industry is expected to produce the largest crop in the world, which may impact on domestic fodder consumption. Cottonseed is a highly nutritious feed source, with high protein, energy and roughage content. It will be interesting to see the impact of low cottonseed prices on the hay market.
- 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
- This region should remain a strong source of supply to other regions in need throughout the country; this is being complemented by carryover from 2016 and by a good silage year.
- Demand is firming in Central South Australia, Tasmania and Gippsland and should continue for some time.
- Hay trading is mostly dormant in the south with pockets of enquiry as stated above, largely due to late spring and summer rainfall.
- There is some silage production and feeding in the Western District of Victoria, Tasmania, Bega and in West Gippsland however supplies appear to be running low. Protein enquiry is lifting as a consequence and expected to remain for the next month or two.
- 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.
Western Australia – Summary
- 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 and beef industries is strong and should continue.
- 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
- Rainy weather continues for the Tablelands with no clear change forecasted.
- Hay transport has been cancelled due to poor road conditions from heavy and consistent rainfall.
- Demand is still low with little enquiry.
- Price estimates have been adjusted this week to give a clearer indication of range.
- Pasture hay: +/-$0 ($250 to $300/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
- This region has had a change this week, with uneven rainfall distribution benefiting some farmers.
- Following the rains, it is reported that winter oat planning will begin shortly.
- There is still a feed gap in the region. Forage sorghum is still being fed still with some drought-stricken sorghum being made into hay. Very little local trade is reported.
- Demand has softened as a consequence of the wet weather, particularly from feedlot and dairy industries.
- Reportedly, Australia has grown the biggest crop of cottonseed in the world this year reducing local prices. Cottonseed is a highly valued animal feed, particularly in feedlots, for it’s high energy, protein and roughage content. This may impact on local demand for hay and straw. Cottonseed prices are estimated at $270 per tonne (+GST) delivered which impacts on vetch and lucerne hay.
- New season fodder is being sought from the Victoria and South Australia, as there is a limited local supply.
- Demand will be much greater than supply this year.
- No price changes noted this week.
- Cereal hay: +/-$0 ($300 to $340/t). Prices remain steady this week.
- Lucerne hay: +/-$0 ($380 to $450/t). Prices remain steady this week.
- Straw: +/-$0 ($200 to $250/t). Prices remain steady this week.
North Coast NSW
- It appears as though the weather is fining up for the north coast after weeks of regular rainfall. This weeks weather report saw daily drops of 25-30mm and 50mm of rainfall and is likely to clear up, making way for silage and hay baling.
- Plantings of winter ryegrass or oats usually occur at Easter time.
- Demand is still quiet with few hobby farmers weaning cattle.
- No reported price-change again 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
- Central West New South Wales continues to have temperatures in the mid-high thirties this week with no rain, despite forecasts. No rain is forecasted for next week however farmers are hoping for a break in the next few weeks to sow oats and dual-purpose wheat for grazing and hay/grain production.
- There is not much pasture around and not much enquiry for it either as buyers are looking for the best feed value for money and prefer lucerne.
- Presently, there is big demand for large bales of medium quality hay. Most of demand is coming from the northeast and northwest of NSW.
- Demand is high and currently steady and is reportedly up 50% of what it was last year, due to drought.
- No price changes reported this week.
- Cereal hay: +/-$0 ($200 to $220/t). Prices remain steady this week.
- Lucerne hay: +/-$0 ($350 to $400/t). Prices remain steady this week.
- Straw: +/-$0 ($80 to $100/t). Prices remain steady this week.
- Pasture hay: +/-$0 ($150 to 200/t). Prices remain steady this week.
Bega Valley
- There was no rain in Bega this week as farmers begin to sow some winter Ryegrasses. Pasture is usually cut for silage at this time of year in preparation for winter planting, but this appears to be on hold due to dry conditions.
- Local demand for hay is reportedly steady. Sources are expecting demand to pick up with dry conditions.
- There is some external demand for straw coming from Orange and surrounds.
- No price changes noted this week.
- Cereal hay: +/-$0 ($220 to $280/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
- Weather is pretty typical in the Goulbourn and Murray Valley’s with high temperatures and dry heat.
- Farmers are waiting for an autumn break. There are reports that some dairy farmers have started sowing ryegrass.
- There is huge demand coming from all along the east coast for Goulburn and Murray Valley hay. Locals are buying low-grade carryover from 2016, whilst new season quality hay is being sent as far north as central Queensland and as south as Warragul in Gippsland, Victoria.
- There are no price changes noted this week, however as supplies are diminishing, a firm in price is to be expected in future.
- Cereal hay: +/-$0 ($80 to $160/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
- West Gippsland has really started to dry out and demand for feed has picked up.
- There are also reports of some silage, lucerne and vetch moving from the West for autumn calving dairies and those beginning to stock up for winter.
- There is more demand for feed in the east, as they continue receiving daily truckloads of hay from the West and northern Victoria. Reports have informed that round bale grass hay is moving to beef and dairy farms in the direction of Maffra, Sale and Bairnsdale.
- No price change noted this week.
- Cereal hay: +/-$0 ($140 to $230/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
- Protein hay is in demand in this region. Home grown silage supplies are running low due to dry conditions. Farmers are reportedly enquiring and ordering vetch hay which is selling for $245-$265 (+GST) delivered. Demand is expected to continue for another 6 weeks.
- The cereal market is reportedly still slow.
- Weather conditions remain dry and farmers are not expecting an autumn break until May.
- No price changes this week.
- Cereal hay: +/-$0 ($110 to $190/t). Prices remain steady this week.
- Lucerne hay: +/-$0($250 to $310/t). Prices remain steady this week.
- Straw: +/-$0($90 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 not been much change in Southeast South Australia. Conditions are quite dry with farmers relying on an autumn break to begin sowing winter crops.
- There is still a lot of low-grade carryover in Southeast Australia, which has, and will continue to hamper local demand for feed.
- It is expected that a change in demand will occur in late March, early April.
- There are reports that farmers are grazing and feeding out broad beans and stubble, as bean prices are low.
- New season vetch is available at $200/t on farm. Limited old-season vetch is available for $180-$190/t.
- Prices have not changed this week.
- Cereal hay: +/-$0 ($60 to $160/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
- The Central South and more precisely, the Adelaide Hills are drying out.
- There are reports of a pending change in market demand due to shortage of vetch and medic hay, particularly in the north and west of Adelaide.
- No price changes are reported this week.
- Cereal hay: +/-$0 ($90 to 170/t). ). Prices remain steady this week.
- Lucerne hay: +/-$0 ($250 to 300/t). Prices remain steady this week.
- Straw: +/-$0 ($80 to $130/t). Prices remain steady this week.
Southwest Western Australia
- Farmers are considering whether to have a second spray before the autumn break, after some rain in the past fortnight.
- Straw in Western Australia is finished and all accounted for.
- Demand in the Southwest is reportedly fairly steady as expected for this time of year, with small amounts of low-grade carryover and new season weather damaged hay moving to sheep farmers.
- There is little enquiry from cattle farmers reported this week too.
- 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 in the northwest of Tasmania is seemingly subdued, despite reports of the land being quite dry some areas. This may be due to farmers conserving more home-grown forage this season after past years of drought.
- There has been no change in price this week.
- 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.