National Summary
- Demand for fodder is far exceeding supply in Central and South New South Wales. Australia continues to shift hay around the country to where it is needed most, as the southeastern wheat belt prepares for the break in season.
- The NSW Government has announced transport grants for farmers severely impacted by drought this week, after farmers are forced to feed stock at high prices or sell off. Relief from rain for this region is not in sight yet, as the drought pushes south into northern Victoria.
- Tasmania is well into season break with pastures green and growing. Seeding has begun and in Victoria, South Australia, Western Australia and New South Wales are all dry sewing where possible.
- Demand from Queensland has softened after Ex-cyclone Iris, which continues to threaten coastal regions. There is still strong demand for fodder throughout the country ranging from northeast Tasmania, most regions in Gippsland, Bega and South Australia
- There have been only minimal price changes this week. There has been a price firm of cereals in Central South Australia. 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
- Bushfires devastated two regions in Western Victoria and Bega before Easter. Fodder donations continue to be sent to relieve farmers and livestock. Fencing and rebuilding of farm infrastructure also continues.
- New season hay is selling quickly and carryover stocks from 2016 are beginning to deplete in Central NSW and Northern Victoria.
- Demand is exceeding supply in Central West New South Wales and predicted in Northern Victoria. Central South Australia is accommodating supply.
- 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 have been having consistent rainfall between 3-8mm per day for the past week. Ex-tropical cyclone Iris is still on the radar and it may redevelop into a cyclone and track back to nearby coastal regions.
- There is not much baled fodder around as farmers are having trouble with the rain turning curing grass to mulch.
- 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
- The Darling Downs is a month without substantial rainfall.
- As a consequence of the prolonged dry-spell, farm activity such as winter oats planting has been mostly put on hiatus until the next rain event. Anything that is being cut and baled is sold straight from the farm gate and there is reportedly not much roughage such as barley and wheat straw in the market.
- Demand has been strong and consistent since the Easter break.
- There has reportedly been some added pressure on the stocks of hay that is available in this region.
- 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
- Showers have cleared in the past week and clear weather is forecasted for next week.
- The recent clear weather has been good for pasture haymaking and millet and sorghum silage baling. Planting of oats and winter cereals have just started.
- Demand continues to be very slow 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. Local hobby farmers continue to make small purchases.
- 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
- There is still yet to be an autumn break reported for the Central West of New South Wales, which is in desperate need for some rain. The NSW Government has announced transport grants to support farmers affected by drought this week. Temperatures continue in the high twenties to low thirties, and farmers hope for forecasted rain to fall over the weekend.
- Soil temperatures are still warm and there is still some growth visible however it’s very dry. There are some final cuts of irrigated lucerne reported and little oats being planted near Mudgee. Otherwise, planting is at a standstill due to absence of rain.
- Hay demand is quite strong and should continue for some time as demand is exceeding supply.
- Farmers are reportedly starting to sell off stock because it’s becoming too expensive to feed. Farmers have been sourcing alternative feed such as grain although the local industry is in short supply
- Sources are not reporting a price change this week however it is expected that prices will firm.
- Cereal hay: +/-$0 ($350 to $400/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
- Bega is dry and with only very light showers of less than 0.2mm reported in the past week. Temperatures are still warm.
- Soil preparations are currently in process with sewing of winter ryegrasses and oats having already started before easter, however farmers are awaiting an autumn break.
- Demand for hay is reportedly strong.
- 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 dry, hot and windy in the Goulburn Valley. There is some forecasted rain this weekend which could indicate an autumn break but it is still too early to know.
- There is lack of green feed in the area. Some teff has been cut for straw in the region after harvesting seed, which was reportedly sold immediately. Irrigate lucerne silage has been made and there still may be more cut due to low supplies in the region. Winter ryegrass is being sowed, as is canola.
- There is reportedly solid demand coming from New South Wales and Queensland, with some farmers having sold out of new seasons hay. There is also strong demand for cheap fibre in low-grade carryover from local dairy farmers. Beef farmers in the north-east of Victoria are also in demand for hay.
- Lucerne is becoming competitive to vetch, which is selling at $230-$270 a tonne delivered.
- 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 and thunderstorms is forecast throughout the region from west to east. Paddocks have little colour but little to no growth without moisture.
- Planting of annual ryegrasses has started but mostly farmers are waiting for the autumn break There is very little grass available to graze.
- 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
- Light, scattered showers have come through Western Victoria in the last wee, yet nothing substantial to report. Cooler evenings and windy weather is reported.
- Farmers are planting ryegrass pastures however farmers are concerned about low moisture content in soils. Farmers are waiting for the autumn break. Farmers are still fencing and resewing country after the recent bushfires. Fodder donations are still being received.
- Local demand is fairly solid. Vetch is in high demand as well as carryover cereals.
- Vetch prices have firmed this week and is reportedly selling at $245-$275 per tonne delivered. No other price changes are noted 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
- Rainfall in the range of 10-20mm is forecasted this weekend, which will be to the relief of farmers.
- Farmers are preparing for the autumn break and some dry sewing has begun.
- Reportedly, demand is starting to lift and there is some movement of hay as stocks are being fed out.
- No price changes noted.
- 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
- Forecasts were predicting an autumn break this week, however rainfall predictions have pulled back to 5mm. There is traditionally an autumn break expected around Anzac day.
- Current activity on farm is dormant especially until the autumn break comes.
- Demand has lifted in central South Australia as New South Wales is searching for fodder. Demand is consistent throughout the hills in the last week and new season hay appears to be moving quite quickly.
- Cereal prices have firmed this week.
- Cereal hay: +$10 ($110 to 170/t). Prices have firmed 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
- The eastern wheat belt has experienced some rainfall and thunderstorms in the past week. Farmers without rain are waiting for the season-break, which is traditionally expected in late April.
- Farmers who has rain in the eastern wheat belt are planting canola and serradella early, however there is also some dry seeding happening too. Not much else is happening before the break in season,
- There is reportedly some demand for straw whist it’s dry, particularly from feedlots. Otherwise it’s business as usual.
- No price changes 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.
Northwest Tasmania
- North-west Tasmania is well into an autumn break with grass growing since Easter. There are reports of 15mm of rainfall received on Thursday.
- Seeding of permanent pasture mixes of clovers and ryegrass are 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 up the demand for silage. After a dry summer. It is expected that the currently quite hay demand will pick up again in winter.
- 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.