National Summary
- Cold snaps, cooler temperatures and strong demand are in focus this week in the latest Hay Report.
- Cooler temperatures are being reported right across the east and south of Australia, with minimal rainfall reported. There does not really appear to be a clear break noted across the country which is fairly dry with the exception of small pockets concentrated around parts of Tasmania and the South-East corner of Australia.
- 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. There was some rain passing through the region but follow-up events are needed.
- Farmers particularly in New South Wales have been hesitant to seed without promise of rain. There have also been reports of staggered growth and mouldy seed, without substantial follow-up rain to encourage germination.
- After weeks of rising enquiry, demand appears to have hit a peak in central New South Wales and is plateauing. This may be due to farmers selling off stock.
- This week has seen a firm in prices in central Darling Downs and Western Australia. We recommend feed-testing fodder before purchasing to be sure of quality of feed.
Northern Australia – Summary
- Alternative fodder supplies such as almond hulls and cottonseed is impacting on the fodder market at present.
- 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.
Southern Australia – Summary
- New season hay is selling quickly and carryover stocks from 2016 is moving across Victoria, New South Wales, Tasmania and South Australia.
- Demand is exceeding supply in Central West New South Wales and predicted in Northern Victoria, Tasmania and South Australia.
- Protein enquiry is strong and expected to remain for the next month or two. Lucerne, vetch and straw supply is beginning to deplete
- 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
- Local domestic demand is very strong and it’s reportedly difficult to source supplies. The export market is supporting this strong domestic demand.
- 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
- The Tablelands are having some drizzly weather again this week, which is enough to disrupt activity on farm.
- Interestingly, demand for hay for mulching avocado trees is strong at the moment after increase in investments in this industry in the past 12-18months.
- Regular orders are being filled and demand has not changed from slow and steady. Sources say there may be a change in enquiry over the next few weeks as cattle begin to be weaned.
- 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 weather is sunny and dry over the last week in the Downs and there is no forecasted rainfall imminent. The first cold snap of the season pushed through briefly this week.
- There has not been much fodder planted yet, as planting is mostly determined by rainfall in this region. Farmers are waiting on substantial rainfall for hay planting. There is reportedly not much roughage such as barley and wheat straw in the market and there have been reports of a large order of almond hulls from a local feedlot.
- Demand has picked up this week after the cold snap and farmers are securing hay supplies.
- Cereal hay prices have firmed this week.
- Cereal hay: +$30 ($320 to $380/t). Prices have firmed this week.
- Lucerne hay: +/-$0 ($400 to $500/t). Prices remain steady this week.
- Straw: +/-$0 ($250 to $320/t). Prices remain steady this week.
North Coast NSW
- It’s mostly fine weather averaging in the early twenties with no rain to report in the last week.
- Most of the oats for the season have been planted and the weather is reportedly amenable to rhodes grass hay baling.
- There continues to be enquiry from the Northern Tablelands and Tamworth areas, which is reportedly unusual. Local demand continues to be slow and steady 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.
- Despite the rise in demand, 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
- Patchy rainfall has fallen over the weekend with Orange receiving 15mm and Cowra 9mm. There is no rainfall forecasted in the next week.
- There has mostly been grazing crops sewn this month but not for grain or hay. Not much canola has been planted thus far despite the planting window drawing to a close.
- Rainfall is too infrequent and patchy for a consensus on planting strategy in this region.
- Government has announced transport grants to support farmers affected by drought. Farmers may decide to change their crops due to inadequate summer and autumn rain.
- Demand seems to have hit a peak and has been steady for quite a while with no sign of ease. Lucerne is hard to source, as it’s already committed.
- Farmers have been offloading stock. Hay is being sourced from Victoria and South Australia where available and low-grade carryover from 2016 is moving. Export reserves are being acquired.
- Prices have not changed and it may be too early to call but they appear to be plateauing at a peak.
- Cereal hay: +/-$0 ($250 to $320/t). Prices remain steady this week.
- Lucerne hay: +/-$0 ($350 to $450/t). Prices remain steady this week.
- Straw: +/-$0 ($80 to $130/t). Prices remain steady this week.
- Pasture hay: +/-$0 ($180 to $250/t). Prices remain steady this week.
Bega Valley
- There was quite a bit of rainfall to the relief of farmers and land managers last weekend, with Bega recording 24mm in 24 hours.
- There has been no follow up since and no forecasted any time soon.
- Most of the irrigated winter ryegrasses, oats and cereals are in, with still no autumn break. There is lots of fodder being fed out on farm as paddocks are bare.
- Hay is coming into the area from South Australia or the Riverina but it’s very hard to source. Demand is expecting to exceed supply for Bega.
- Cereal hay: +/-$0 ($220 to $300/t). Prices remain steady this week.
- Lucerne hay: +/-$0 ($350 to $400/t). Prices remain steady this week.
- Straw: +/-$0 ($140 to $170/t). Prices remain steady this week.
- Pasture hay: +/-$0 ($120 to $240/t). Prices remain steady this week.
Goulburn/Murray Valley
- Patchy rainfall has moved through this region this week, with a couple of smaller events less that 10mm. A wind warning has been issued for the region.
- Irrigators are watering where they can as there is yet to be am autumn break. Canola and ryegrasses have finished planting. Oats are yet to be planted and cereals have just started.
- There remains solid demand for hay, which is becoming hard to source in the area. Lucerne is in very limited supply and is becoming competitive to vetch, which is selling at $250-$300 a tonne delivered.
- No price changes noted this week.
- Cereal hay: +/-$0 ($90 to $170/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
- It’s cooling down in the Gippsland region and rain is expected this weekend. It seems the autumn break has hit in the west but the east is still yet to feel it.
- Current on farm activity is sewing pastures and annual ryegrasses but the illusive autumn break is limiting activity in the East. There is very little grass available to graze.
- Hay is increasingly hard to source and there is a lot more enquiry. Demand is strong and there are regular truckloads coming in from the west.
- No price change noted this week.
- Cereal hay: +/-$0 ($160 to $300/t). Prices remain steady this week.
- Lucerne hay: +/-$0 ($350 to $400/t). Prices remain steady this week.
- Straw: +/-$0 ($140 to $170/t). Prices remain steady this week.
- Pasture hay: +/-$0 ($120 to $240/t). Prices remain steady this week.
Southwest Victoria
- There has been no substantial rainfall this week.
- Lot of crops are being sewn into the moisture however there are reports of staggered and patchy germination.
- Local demand is solid, as is external demand from NSW. Vetch and protein in particular is in high demand, as well as carryover cereals.
- Vetch is reportedly selling at $250-$315 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
- There has been some light patchy showers in the last week but nothing substantial to report on. Weather is cooling off and farmers could do with some more follow up rain from the autumn break three weeks ago.
- Seeding has reportedly stopped in the northern areas because moisture levels are quite low.
- Local demand may have lifted slightly in the last week. Local contractors are keeping up with regular dairy trade.
- New season vetch is available at $200/t on farm. Limited old-season vetch is available for $180-$190/t. No price changes noted this week.
- No price changes noted this week.
- 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 160/t). Prices remain steady this week.
Central South Australia
- Unfortunately there has not been much substantial follow- up rain this week in the Central SA region. There have been few small events of 1mm in the past week with 2mm forecasted for the weekend, but it’s now questionable whether there was a break to speak of after the heavy event a fortnight ago.
- Farm activity is no longer dormant. Farmers are currently seeding for grain. Those that seeded for hay this season reportedly should mostly be finished for the area.
- Local demand is strong. Current demand is expected to sustain the market for some time as the winter creeps in and some producers are retaining private stocks. External demand continues to be strong, ranging from mid to northern South Australia, Victoria and New South Wales.
- Prices remain the same.
- Cereal hay: +/-$0 ($130 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
- It’s unseasonal and dry. There has been no rain in May.
- Regular dry-seeding is continuing for this region which is slightly behind schedule by a couple of weeks. Farmers are relying upon a break, which has yet to be seen.
- Local domestic demand is very strong and it’s reportedly difficult to source supplies. The export market is supporting the strong domestic demand.
- Straw prices have firmed.
- Cereal hay: +/-$0 ($100 to $250/t). Prices remain steady this week.
- Lucerne hay: +/-$0 ($450 to $490). Prices remain steady this week.
- Straw: +$15 ($80 to 140/t) Prices have firmed this week.
- Pasture hay: +/-$0 ($80 to $200/t). Prices remain steady this week.
Northwest Tasmania
- Reportedly winter has set in for Tasmania with cool days and evenings and drizzly weather.
- On-farm activity includes planting mixtures of grass and clover, barley and wheat.
- Demand for fodder is quite strong in the north-west dairy region, which is expected to continue for some time.
- There are no price changes 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.