National Summary
- There is limited supply of hay in Australia and demand remains strong across the country. There are reports of trucks on every main highway, delivering feed where it is needed.
- Most regions have reported rainfall this week, although it continues to fall in patches, and subsoils are reportedly lacking in moisture. WA has had follow up rain, which is promising for good germination, as have the Murray Goulburn Valley regions. Southeast South Australia and Tasmania appear to have also had a clear break, where most other regions have had a late start to the season. Frosts, ice and snow swept through parts of Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria.
- There have been some reports of staggered growth and mouldy seed, without substantial follow-up rain to encourage germination in Victoria. Growth appears to have slowed right down in the eastern states. Planting is down by 50% in the Macalister Irrigation District of Gippsland, and down by 25% in Central South Australia. Bega reportedly has had some good growth with crops almost ready to graze.
- After weeks of rising enquiry, demand appears to have hit a peak in central New South Wales and remains strong. Rising demand is still reported all around the country and prices are firming accordingly as supply diminishes.
- It will be interesting to see what the future market holds: farmers expected carryover stockpiles from 2016 to maintain over the winter and chose to plant less accordingly. However the market has since turned and sheds appear to be emptying very quickly.
- There is a lot of transported around the country of varying quality. We caution buyers and recommend feed-testing and viewing fodder before purchasing to be sure of quality of feed.
National Commentary
Northern Australia – Summary
- Protein and roughage is becoming difficult to source in the north, however alternative feeds such as sorghum stubble and high-moisture corn stubble might be a future option.
- 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
- Rainfall is beginning to moisten soils but much more is needed.
- Further to the transport grants, the NSW Government has released The Drought Assistance Fund, to facilitate sustainable primary production in New South Wales during drought. Farmers can apply for funding to assist with transport, for water and fodder infrastructure and genetics.
- 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. 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, especially for cattle, is very strong and it’s reportedly difficult to source domestic supply of fodder.
- The export market is supporting this strong domestic demand.
- 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 have had not much rainfall this week and weather has been mostly fine.
- There has been some heavy frosts again this week. There is reportedly not much growth to cut for hay in this region at this time.
- There is now frequent enquiry for hay in this region as demand lifts. Lucerne is getting difficult to source in this area and usually comes from Gatton.
- 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 is still no rainfall in this region for the month of June. The Darling Downs are in desperate need for rain as there is reportedly very little green growth in the region. Frosts have come through this week
- There has not been much fodder planted yet, as planting is mostly determined by rainfall in this region. Activity is low as there is no green growth and no weeds to spray. There is reportedly not much roughage such as barley and wheat straw in the market and alternatives such as high-moisture corn and sorghum stubble, almond hulls and cottonseed are being sourced.
- Reportedly demand has been easing in the last two weeks. It’s postulated that this is due to feedloters not buying usual quantities of feed because of high prices of grain. There continues to be a hay shortage in this area and it’s expensive to source. There is very limited supply of cereal lucerne and straw in this region.
- There is some vetch available with prices comparable to lucerne hay. There is some pasture hay selling locally for $250-$300 per tonne delivered.
- Cereal hay: +/-$0 ($340 to $380/t). Prices remain steady this week.
- Lucerne hay: +/-$0 ($400 to $540/t). Prices remain steady this week.
- Straw: +/-$0 ($250 to $320/t). Prices remain steady this week.
- Pasture hay: +/-$0 ($200 to $300/t). Northern pasture price ranges are now being reported. Please note, these are different to southern species.
North Coast NSW
- Weather has cooled right down in this region and temperatures are the lowest this month has seen. Very little rainfall has come through this week.
- Rice and straw harvests area underway. Oats have been planted.
- External demand is very strong and has picked up in the last month from Tamworth and the Northern Tablelands. Local demand is not overly strong, but farmers are looking to secure hay for the winter. No price changes noted this week.
- Vetch is selling for $400-450 per tonne delivered.
- Cereal hay: +/-$0 ($280 to $300/t). Prices remain steady this week.
- Lucerne hay: +/-$0 ($400 to $450/t). Prices remain steady this week.
- Straw: +/-$0 ($250 to $300/t). Prices remain steady this week.
- Pasture hay: +/-$0 ($300 to $350/t). Prices remain steady this week.
Central West NSW
- More patchy rainfall has come through in the Central West with reports of 20mm since the weekend in Orange and 4-6mm in Forbes. Temperatures hit below zero for the third time this month with the coolest recorded maximum temperature of 3.9 degrees Celsius on Sunday.
- The Government has announced assistance funds for transport, fodder, for preserving genetics and water infrastructure to support farmers affected by drought.
- Germination has slowed right off as the cooler weather hits this region. Most on-farm activity is concentrated around feeding and maintaining livestock, which is challenging with the limited supply of fodder. Some pockets around Cowra and Young seem to have some established canola and grazing crops.
- Demand has hit a peak and continues to be very strong for this region. Lucerne is hard to source, as supply is limited and what’s left is most likely 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. No price changes noted.
- 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: +$10 ($100 to $130/t). Prices have firmed this week.
- Pasture hay: +/-$0 ($180 to $250/t). Prices remain steady this week.
Bega Valley
- Bega has had 22mm of rain last weekend and overnight temperatures below zero twice this week.
- There is plenty of hay being carted into this area. Most of the irrigated winter ryegrasses, oats and wheat are in and have grown 3-4inches in the past month. There is lots of fodder being fed out on farm and pastures and crops have been growing well albeit slowly.
- Hay is still in high demand but supply is extremely limited. Hay is being transported from South Australia or the Riverina but it’s very hard to source. Demand is expecting to exceed supply for Bega.
- Prices haven’t changed this week.
- Cereal hay: +/-$0 ($300 to $360/t). Prices remain steady this week.
- Lucerne hay: +/-$0 ($380 to $400/t). Prices remain steady this week.
- Straw: +/-$0 ($140 to $170/t). Prices remain steady this week.
- Pasture hay: +/-$0 ($250 to $320/t). Prices remain steady this week.
Goulburn/Murray Valley
- Goulburn Valley has had between 25-35mm of rain. There are muddy paddocks visible on farms and overall, this month’s rainfall has been ideal for this area. This recent consistent rainfall is giving farmers hope for a good season.
- Oats are reportedly germinated and most crops are getting past the first leaf stage. Growth is stronger than prior to the rain, although frosts are coming through.
- Demand continues to be quite strong for fodder and there is diminishing supply of hay in the Goulburn Murray Valley region. There are reports that export hay is being acquired and round-bale hay is coming into the market. It is reported that most visible hay on farm is spoken for.
- Prices have firmed this week.
- Cereal hay: +$25 ($100 to $260/t). Prices have firmed this week.
- Lucerne hay: +/-$0 ($250 to $300/t). Prices remain steady this week.
- Straw: +$10 ($90 to $140/t). Prices have firmed this week.
- Pasture hay: +$25 ($150 to $250/t). Prices have firmed this week.
Gippsland
- There is a mixed report of rainfall measurements across Gippsland for June. Macalister Irrigation District (MID) reportedly received an average of 15mm in the last week, with three frosts that followed the rain. It’s still very dry in this region. Bairnsdale. Reported about 30mm but is also still very dry, and Warragul (west) and Leongatha (south) are starting to get wetter.
- Dairy farmers are starting to acquire straw to blend with their silage. Reportedly, direct drilling is down by 50% this season on the MID due to lack of rain and moisture this season. It is interesting to note that there is a general consensus that farmers in the Gippsland region have been shocked by the limited national supply of hay and firming of prices.
- Hay is increasingly hard to source in Gippsland and demand is strong. There have been regular trucks carting hay right throughout the region. There is limited vetch and lucerne.
- Hay prices have firmed this week. According to sources, there is limited vetch selling for $350-$390 per tonne delivered locally.
- Cereal hay: +$55 ($250 to $320/t). Prices have firmed this week.
- Lucerne hay: +/-$0 ($380 to $450/t). Prices remain steady this week.
- Straw: +$15 ($140 to $200/t). Prices have firmed this week.
- Pasture hay: +$20 ($120 to $280/t). Prices have firmed this week.
Southwest Victoria
- Western district received more rain over the past week from 10-20mm. This is promising for securing next seasons growth and supply of fodder.
- Despite the rain, growth is very slow in this region as winter settles in. Demand is strong and it is reportedly very difficult to source hay. Full hay sheds are misleading – this is most likely committed.
- Prices have firmed this week. Second grade Vetch is reportedly selling at $250-$315 per tonne delivered.
- Cereal hay: +/-$0 ($180 to $250/t). Prices remain steady this week.
- Lucerne hay: +$15 ($250 to $380/t). Prices have firmed this week.
- Straw: +/-$0 ($100 to $150/t). Prices remain steady this week.
- Pasture hay: +$25 ($140 to $180/t). Prices have firmed this week.
Southeast South Australia
- Rain fell over the weekend in this region with reports of 10-20mm. Minor frosts have come through.
- Growth is reportedly quite slow in this region due to the cool weather.
- Local demand has subsided due the recent rain, but external demand is strong.
- Cereal hay prices have eased slightly this week to account for a greater range of pricing of low-grade carryover.
- Cereal hay: -$10 ($200 to $300/t). Prices have eased this week.
- Lucerne hay: +/-$0 ($250 to $300/t). Prices remain steady this week.
- Straw: +/-$0 ($90 to $110/t). Prices remain steady this week.
- Pasture hay: +/-$0 ($180 to $200/t). Prices remain steady this week.
Central South Australia
- 20-30mm of rain is reported for Roseworthy this week, which comes as a relief to farmers. Prior to this, Central South Australia had reportedly only received one quarter of the rainfall it would normally get in the year.
- Farmers have been in a planting frenzy in the last week following the rain. Germination is very patchy; oats are struggling to emerge. Some farmers have increased planting by 25% from last year after the recent clearing of carryover hay.
- There has been lots of enquiry from the eastern states of Australia, and locally in South Australia. Some firms are requesting large quantities of hay in contracts that will be very difficult to fulfil with current demand. External demand continues to be strong, ranging from mid to northern South Australia, Victoria and New South Wales. Export carryover is supplying the domestic market. No price changes noted this week.
- Cereal hay: +/-$0 ($150 to $180/t). Prices remain steady this week.
- Lucerne hay: +/-$0 ($270 to $350/t). Prices remain steady this week.
- Straw: +/-$0 ($80 to $130/t). Prices remain steady this week.
Southwest Western Australia
- Follow up rain has hit the southwestern region of the state with reports ranging from 20-60mm of rain.
- Seeding has mostly finished for this region now.
- There is high demand for hay from the south-east and south coastal areas, particularly for cattle feed. It’s reportedly difficult to source supplies. The export market is supporting the strong domestic demand.
- No price changes noted but they are expected to firm.
- Cereal hay: +/-$0 ($180 to $250/t). Prices remain steady this week.
- Lucerne hay: +/-$0 ($450 to $490). Prices remain steady this week.
- Straw: +/-$0 ($100 to 160/t). Prices remain steady this week.
- Pasture hay: +/-$0 ($80 to $200/t). Prices remain steady this week.
Northwest Tasmania
- There was reportedly 10-22mm of rainfall last Friday but little to no rain this week.
- Growth is quite slow due to cold weather and frosts have been reported.
- Demand for fodder is quite strong in the north-west dairy region, which is expected to continue for some time.
- 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.