National Summary
- Some changes in the hay market have started to surface this week, with demand picking up in Central NSW and Northern Victoria and appearing to be steady throughout the rest of the country.
- There are reports little available hay left in the Central NSW and the Murray and Goulburn Valley as dry weather continues. Hay is being sought from other areas in Victoria and now South Australia, which will be a relief for the SA farmers with full sheds and plenty of carryover.
- Winter crops are beginning to be 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 Central West, Goulburn and Murray Valley.
- Demand from Queensland has dampened 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 price firm in Southeast South Australia for final lucerne cuts. 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
- Bushifres devastated two regions in Western Victoria and Bega before Easter. Fodder donations continue to be sent to relieve farmers and livestock.
- New season hay is selling quickly and carryover stocks from 2016 are beginning to deplete in Central NSW and northern Victoria.
- Demand is firming in Central West New South Wales, Central South Australia, 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
- Atherton Tablelands was hit by cyclone Iris over the Easter break. The cyclone is currently in southern Queensland. Farmers are watching cyclone activity in case it heads back.
- The rainfall from Iris has damaged some cut grass yet cutting continues.
- Regular orders are being filled and demand is still slow. Sources say there may be a change in enquiry over the next few weeks.
- There is no price change noted this week.
- 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. Farmers are reportedly hoping for some more rain to promote and maintain soil health and prevent drying out.
- Oats are being planted in the Downs however it is reportedly still too warm to plant ryegrass which is frustrating for some farmers.
- Demand is reportedly very quiet. There is usual demand from feedlots. Sources say that some cattle have been going on feed over the last week.
- No changes in price noted.
- 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
- Weather has been showery with temperatures in the mid-high twenties.
- Current weather is challenging for making hay however it’s agreeable for planting ryegrass.
- Demand continues to be very slow and sluggish for the region, after a good season of hay and silage production. It will probably continue for a little while with plenty of hay and silage in sheds.
- Prices have not changed.
- 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 of New South Wales is reportedly in desperate need for rain. Temperatures are currently in the mid-thirties and there is talking of missing out on the usual autumn flush.
- There is a fair amount of cut grass in paddocks waiting to be baled. Sources suggest that due to a low local supply of hay, farmers will most likely get a 7th cut of Lucerne in May pending rainfall, regardless of quality.
- Planting is at a standstill due to absence of rain.
- It has been reported that some brokers are sold out of hay and beginning to source from Victoria and South Australia. Hay demand is quite strong and should continue for some time.
- Sources are comparing demand to that in 2014 when severe frosts damaged crops. Farmers are reportedly starting to sell off stock because it’s becoming too expensive to feed. This will impact hay trade as farmers begin to source alternative feed.
- Cereal hay prices have firmed this week.
- Cereal hay: +$25 ($180 to $240/t). Prices have firmed 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
- Bega has been without rainfall for a fortnight with temperatures in the mid twenties.
- Soil preparations are currently in process with sewing of winter ryegrasses and oats expecting to be sewn now that rain has come.
- Demand for hay is reportedly steady.
- Price firms are predicted in the near future.
- 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 in the past two weeks has been warm in the high twenties with no hint of an autumn break.
- Current on-farm activities include last cuts of irrigated lucerne before a silage cut, and winter ryegrass is being sewn. Otherwise, more soil and machinery preparations as well as pre-season spraying are keeping farmers busy whilst waiting for autumn rainfall.
- There is reportedly solid demand from areas such as Gippsland and New South Wales, 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. The Western Victoria region is in demand for some vetch.
- No price changes noted this week.
- 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 across Gippsland has cooled over the past two weeks to low twenties. Rainfall has been less that an inch and patchy throughout the region this week, with nothing substantial. There is very little grass available to graze, and dairy farmers are mostly feeding out silage, which is expected to continue for the next month.
- Winter ryegrass is being sewn and paddocks are being prepared.
- Demand for feed is strong in Gippsland. There is still some carryover hay around, which is beginning to move quickly.
- 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
- Less than 1mm of rain has fallen this week in Hamilton, with not much more expected for the weekend. Farmers are waiting for the autumn break to hit.
- There continues to be generous donations from all over the country to support farmers and livestock impacted by the recent bushfire that hit the region and the clean up has begun.
- These donations have been covering most of the local the trade at present and otherwise demand is steady.
- 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
- Temperatures are in the high twenties to low thirties and it’s reportedly very windy.
- Lucerne farmers are on their last cuts and harvesting seed.
- Other activity on farm includes soil preparations – mulching, working stubbles into the land with dry sewing predicted to begin in a fortnight.
- Demand is starting to pick up but it’s mostly regular trade. Locals are hoping demand to pick up at the end of the month.
- 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 $250/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.
- There is reportedly reasonable mice activity in the mid-north in cereal paddocks. 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
- There has been no rain in the past week and temperatures continue in the high twenties.
- Burning seasons have opened in most areas and farmers are beginning to prepare paddocks for raking and burning stubbles.
- Demand is steady across the south-west region.
- 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
- Temperatures are cooling in Tasmania with only very little patchy rainfall in the past week.
- After a reportedly driest spring and summer on record in the north-west, failed crops are being put back to pasture and renovated.
- Planting of winter fodder crops such as oats, and barley are also underway. Army worms were a significant problem for some farmers with the dry weather with some farms having to spray twice.
- Demand is steady for new season fodder. Most of the silage on dairy farms has been fed out already, which is keeping the demand for hay steady.
- No price changes noted 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.