National Summary
- There has been little change in the hay market this week, with demand appearing to be steady throughout the country.
- Ex-Tropical Cyclone Linda off the southern Queensland coast has kept farmers on watch this week with severe weather warnings issued. Southern states are awaiting an autumn break to relieve dry soils, which is expected around mid April in a few weeks. Western Australia and New South Wales are still experiencing hot temperatures in the thirties.
- Winter crops are being sewn around the country. There is some silage produced in North coast NSW, pasture hay in Atherton Tablelands and lucerne on final cuts in the Goulburn and Murray Valley.
- Demand from Queensland has dampened for the first time in weeks after rainfall in the last fortnight, which is impacting on sales right through the east coast. There is still strong demand for fodder throughout the country ranging from northeast Tasmania, most regions in Gippsland, Bega, and Midwest New South Wales.
- There have been only minimal price changes this week. There has been a change in price range to account for lower grade prices of cereal hay in central west of New South Wales. We recommend feed-testing fodder before purchasing to account be sure of quality of feed.
Northern Australia – Summary
- Demand for product in northern Queensland is low, as persistent rainfall in the past few weeks coupled with high temperatures has encouraged on farm grazing.
- 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; new season hay is selling quickly and carryover stocks from 2016 are beginning to deplete.
- Demand is firming in Central South Australia, Tasmania and Gippsland and should continue for some time.
- 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
- Threats of monsoons and tropical storms have been imminent in the Tablelands, following a week a rainy weather.
- According to sources, it’s typical to have a short window of 3-4 days to cut and bale hay with some farmers taking risks where others won’t.
- There was reportedly some movement of hay prior to the wet weather last week, however enquiry has dropped now. Consequently, transport of hay is difficult due to poor road conditions from the heavy rains.
- 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
- There has been clear weather over the last week in the Darling Downs.
- Forage sorghum and millet is being cut for hay. Sorghum stubble may also be cut for hay following the rains from last week. Weeds are being sprayed in the lead up before winter planting. Early feed oats and barley for feed and hay is currently being planted.
- Demand has dropped right off in Queensland after a break in drought last week. New season fodder is being sought from the Victoria and South Australia, as there is a limited local supply.
- Australia has grown a big crop of cottonseed 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.
- 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
- North Coast weather has been showery, leaving soils quite damp. Locals are watching for the cyclone nearby.
- Since soils are quite damp, farm activity is limited this week, with farms in the west reportedly cutting millet for silage. It’s still too early to start planting. 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.
- Farmers are cleaning up from the floods two years ago and currently sewing lucerne.
- Hay demand is strong, however has slightly weakened after the rain in Queensland a fortnight ago.
- The range of cereal hay quoted this week has changed and reflects grading from low-high grade of hay. High-grade, new season cereal hay is selling upwards of $200 per tonne.
- Cereal hay: -$15 ($150 to $220/t). Prices have eased this week to account for change in range.
- 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 and temperatures remain in the mid-high twenties.
- Farmers are currently beginning 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 conditions continue to be warm and dry for the region. Traditional autumn break is around Anzac Day.
- Current on-farm activities include last cuts of irrigated lucerne before a silage cut, and winter ryegrass is being sewn.
- There is reportedly solid demand from areas such as East Gippsland, NSW and Southern Queensland, with some farmers having sold out for new seasons hay. There is also strong demand for cheap fibre in low-grade carryover from local dairy farmers.
- New season hay is expecting to sell in the higher price range stated, and is expecting to firm as supply lessens.
- 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
- Weather in Gippsland is quite warm, dry and windy, particularly in the south and east.
- There is very little grass available to graze, and dairy farmers are mostly feeding out silage, which is expected to continue for another six weeks.
- Winter ryegrass is being sewn into dry soils.
- Demand for feed is strong in Gippsland. There is still some carryover hay around, which is beginning to move.
- 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
- Weather conditions remain dry and farmers are not expecting an autumn break until May.
- Protein hay is in demand in this region as silage supplies run low due to dry conditions. Demand is expected to continue for another six weeks.
- Farmers are reportedly enquiring and ordering vetch hay which is selling for $245-$265 (+GST) delivered.
- 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
- The land in southeast south Australia drying out. Farmers are waiting for the autumn break to hit around Easter time.
- Current activity on farm is around soil preparations – mulching, working stubbles in the land with dry sewing predicted to begin in a fortnight.
- Demand is currently steady, with increasing enquiry, particularly from dairy farmers and other stock-keepers. An imminent change in demand is predicted.
- 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.
- 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
- Central South Australia and the Adelaide Hills are experiencing change from summer weather with cooler evenings, and drying mid-high twenties.
- Current activity on farm is centred around soil remediation by spreading chicken manure, lime, and gypsum, with no spraying necessary.
- Increasing enquiry for hay is mainly from western NSW. A lot of hay was moving to Queensland however this has dropped off in demand since the recent break. Otherwise hay demand has been consistent throughout the hills in the last week and new season hay appears to be moving quite quickly.
- Prices have not changed but expected to firm coming into winter.
- 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
- Dairy regions in the southwest have had localised rainfall from 5-10mm this week, with temperatures continuing in the mid-high thirties.
- Farmers are considering whether to have a second spray before the autumn break, after some more rain.
- 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.
- 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.
Northwest Tasmania
- Northwest Tasmania is seeing cooler weather this week with some autumn rainfall expected this weekend, amenable for sewing.
- 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.