National Summary
- Strong demand for fodder continues to exceed supply in Central and South New South Wales. Hay is being shifted around the country to where it is needed most, as parts of the southeastern wheat belt begin to feel a break in weather.
- 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.
- South-east South Australia across the Western Gippsland have received rain to warrant a break in season and variations of winter sewing have begun. Western Australia and New South Wales are all dry sewing where possible. There appears to be more rainfall forecasted this weekend.
- Domestic demand in Queensland has softened, with the exception of straw demand from feedlots. Straw and lucerne supply that not committed is hard to come by in Queensland, New South Wales and northern Victoria.
- This week has seen a firm in prices in central New South Wales, Darling Downs, Central South Australia and Goulburn/Murray Valleys. We recommend feed-testing fodder before purchasing to be sure of quality of feed.
Northern Australia – Summary
- Demand for product in southern Queensland has softened.
- 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.
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
- 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
- The Tablelands are having some drizzly weather of 1-2mm of rain per day this week. According to sources, this is unusual weather for this time of year. Hot fine days are forecasted next week with cooler nights.
- On farm activity has been limited due to the rain. Reportedly there is no prime quality hay around at the moment.
- 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
- There were some scattered showers in the Darling Downs region this week.
- There is reportedly not much roughage such as barley and wheat straw in the market.
- Demand isn’t overly strong in the Downs currently with the exception feedlot demand, particularly for straw.
- Prices for Lucerne and straw have firmed this week.
- Cereal hay: +/-$0 ($300 to $340/t). Prices remain steady this week.
- Lucerne hay: +$35 ($400 to $500/t). Prices have firmed this week.
- Straw: +$60 ($250 to $320/t). Prices have firmed this week.
North Coast NSW
- There has been one day of showers in the last week in the North Coast of 10-20mm, but it’s reportedly mostly fine weather.
- 60-70% of oats in the area have been planted. Rhodes grass hay is currently been being made.
- External demand for pasture hay has picked up in the last fortnight, 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
- There has been some rainfall of 5mm in the past week but due to the drought, which could be problematic without follow up rain.
- Reportedly, mostly grazing crops have been sewn this month as opposed to grain or hay. Not much canola has been planted thus far despite the planting window drawing to a close.
- 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.
- Farmers have been offloading stock.
- Hay demand is very high and is exceeding supply. Lucerne is hard to source, as it’s already committed.
- 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 firmed.
- Cereal hay: +$10 ($250 to $320/t). Prices have firmed this week.
- Lucerne hay: +$25 ($350 to $450/t). Prices have firmed 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
- Bega hasn’t had any rain since January. It’s uncharacteristically hot, but there is 20-40mm forecasted rain this weekend. Locals forecast the rain won’t fall if it settles as snow on the nearby mountains.
- 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.
- No price changes noted this week.
- 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
- There has been a small amount of rainfall late this week with more forecasted. Temperatures appear to be cooling off and grass growth is ceasing.
- Irrigators are watering where they can as there is yet to be an 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.
- Prices have firmed this week.
- Cereal hay: +$20 ($90 to $170/t). Prices have firmed 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 regular 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
- Western Victoria and Melbourne received some heavy rainfall late this week with the autumn break present. There is more forecasted later this weekend. Cooler evenings and windy weather is reported.
- 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 prices have firmed this week and 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
- The autumn break has arrived in the Southeast over the last fortnight. There has been approximately 75mm of rainfall scattered around the region.
- There’s reportedly a surplus of hay in this region, and locals suggest this is having an impact on a slower planting season.
- Local demand is slow and appears that people are offloading stock. Local contractors are keeping up with regular airy 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.
- 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
- Rainfall has hit the Central South region with areas receiving 12-24mm in the last week. Rainfall has come after a prolonged period of hot and dry weather, which has been promising for seeding. Farmers are hoping for some follow-up rain as the soil is still quite dry.
- Farm activity is no longer dormant. Current planting is progressing since the recent rainfall however some farmers are still hesitant without promise of a follow up event.
- Local demand is stronger and sources suggest it has increased by 50%. Current demand is expected to sustain the market for some time as the winter creeps in. External demand continues to be strong, ranging from mid to northern South Australia, Victoria and New South Wales.
- As previously predicted, prices have firmed slightly this week.
- Cereal hay: +$10 ($130 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
- There have been some light scattered shows in the dairy district in the past week, with weather mostly fine in the mid-low twenties.
- Regular on-farm plantings continue for this region of serradella and canola.
- Local domestic demand is steady with nothing further to report.
- 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
- Northern Tasmania has had some showers in the past week, with heavier rain forecasted over the weekend.
- 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 however prices are expected to firm in early winter when supply lessens.
- 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.