Hay Report – 17 August 2018

17 Aug 2018 | Hay Reports

National Summary

  • All along the eastern states the demand for fodder continues to be strong.
  • Southeast South Australia, central South Australia, southwest Victoria, northwest Tasmania and southwest Western Australia continue to have good rainfall. Dry conditions continue in the Darling Downs, central west NSW, north coast NSW and Bega.
  • Water allocations for the Macalister Irrigation District (MID) and Bega were released this week and farmers are able to plan watering accordingly.
  • Cereal hay prices have firmed in the Darling Downs, central west NSW, Bega, Goulburn Valley, southeast South Australia and central South Australia. There have been no price changes noted in Gippsland, southwest Victoria, Tasmania and Western Australia.
  • There is a lot of hay being 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.

Northern Australia – Summary

  • Protein and roughage is becoming difficult to source in the north, alternative feeds such as sorghum stubble and high-moisture corn stubble is being used in the region.
  • Alternative fodder supplies such as almond hulls and cottonseed are impacting on the fodder market at present. These alternate food supplies are starting to become more difficult to source and increasingly expensive.
  • 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.
  • The Government has announced subsidies for transport of fodder, moving livestock and water infrastructure to support eligible farmers in NSW affected by drought. This can be backdated to 1st January 2018. For more information and to apply please visit www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/climate-and-emergancies/droughthub.

Southern Australia – Summary

  • Rainfall is beginning to moisten soils in some of the region but much more is needed.
    • st January 2018. For more information and to apply please visit www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/climate-and-emergancies/droughthub.

  • New season hay is selling quickly and there is limited carryover stock from 2016 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.
  • The demand for cereal hay is strong and is expected to remain. Cereal hay supplies are 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 is good growth in Western Australia and the domestic demand for fodder has eased.
  • Due to changes in the live export industry there is more straw available on the market.
  • 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

  • Wednesday broke the consistent dry sunny weather in the Atherton Tablelands with parts of Atherton reporting 7mm.
  • There were crops that had been cut left out in the rain. These crops will still be used for stock feed or mulch.
  • Demand continues to increase in the region with a lot of enquiry coming from NSW. Supply is limited and is largely spoken for.
  • Prices remain steady this week.
  • Pasture hay: +/-0 ($300 to $385/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.
  • Due to the shortage of hay in the region, it is cautioned to be wary of the weight of bales, with farmers packing lighter bales for sale.

Darling Downs

  • The Darling Down remains dry this week with no rainfall recorded.
  • The prevailing dry and cool conditions continue to damage crops that were planted in the region.
  • Demand for fodder is strong in the Darling Downs. There is a shortage of feed in the region and alternative feed sources are being used, these are becoming increasingly difficult to source.
  • Prices have firmed this week.
  • Cereal hay: +125 ($500 to $600/t). Prices have firmed this week.
  • Lucerne hay: +/-$0 ($440 to $550/t). Prices remain steady this week.
  • Straw: +90 ($350 to $400/t). Prices have firmed this week.
  • Pasture hay: +/-0 ($275 to $375/t) Prices remain steady this week. Northern pasture price ranges are now being reported. Please note, these are different to southern species

North Coast NSW

  • No rainfall has been recorded in north coast NSW. Light frosts have been reported.
  • The Government has announced subsidies for transport of fodder, moving livestock and water infrastructure to support eligible farmers in NSW affected by drought. This can be backdated to 1st January 2018. For more information and to apply please visit www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/climate-and-emergancies/droughthub.
  • Frosts in the region continue to slow growth and dry soil. Crops in the region are in need of some rain.
  • Demand remains strong in north coast NSW. Farmers are baling whatever feed they can find. Some farmers are making rough hay out of tropical grasses, this is mainly being carted to the Northern Tablelands. Corn stubble, frosted Rhodes grass and cane tops are also being baled. Rhodes grass supplies are running low and mostly spoken for.
  • Lucerne prices have firmed this week.
  • Cereal hay: +/-0 ($400 to $500/t). Prices remain steady this week.
  • Lucerne hay: +75 ($500 to $750/t). Prices have firmed this week.
  • Straw: +/-0 ($250 to $350/t). Prices remain steady this week.
  • Pasture hay: +/-0 ($350 to $450/t). Prices remain steady this week.

Central West NSW

  • Central west NSW received some patchy rainfall Sunday with Forbes recording 2.8mm, Cowra 3mm and Orange 6mm, while areas such as Dubbo recorded no rainfall. Frosts were also reported in the region.
  • The Government has announced subsidies for transport of fodder, moving livestock and water infrastructure to support eligible farmers in NSW affected by drought. This can be backdated to 1st January 2018. For more information and to apply please visit www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/climate-and-emergancies/droughthub.
  • Farmers with irrigation crops are preparing for its use. Some farmers are having to use water allocated for irrigation for other purposes such as livestock. There is concern that for some of these farmers, water supplies will be insufficient.
  • Demand remains high in central west NSW. Supplies are coming from South Australia and Victoria. Fodder supplies are difficult to source.
  • Prices have firmed this week.
  • Cereal hay: +100 ($500 to $600/t). Prices have firmed this week.
  • Lucerne hay: +50 ($550 to $650/t). Prices have firmed this week.
  • Straw: +/-0 ($220 to $320/t). Prices remain steady this week.
  • Pasture hay: +10 ($400 to $520/t). Prices have firmed this week.

Bega Valley

  • There has been no rainfall recorded in Bega this week and frosts continue in the region. Strong winds were also reported on Wednesday.
  • The Government has announced subsidies for transport of fodder, moving livestock and water infrastructure to support eligible farmers in NSW affected by drought. This can be backdated to 1st January 2018. For more information and to apply please visit www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/climate-and-emergancies/droughthub.
  • Allocations for farmers who use the Brogo River were reduced this week. This is concerning for those farmers who have already started irrigating. Crops are struggling in the prevailing dry and frosty conditions.
  • Demand for fodder remains high in the Bega region. Feed is becoming difficult to source and a lot of what is available is of low quality.
  • Prices have firmed this week.
  • Cereal hay: +65 ($480 to $550/t). Prices have firmed this week.
  • Lucerne hay: +25 ($500 to $650/t). Prices have firmed this week.
  • Straw: +35 ($200 to $250/t). Prices have firmed this week.
  • Pasture hay: +/-0 ($400 to $475/t). Prices remain steady this week.

Goulburn/Murray Valley

  • Since last Wednesday’s rainfall, there has been light rain recorded in the Goulburn Valley region with Echuca recording 3mm, Shepparton 4mm, Benalla 7mm and Kyabram 1mm over the week.
  • Crops in the region are a few weeks behind and are currently looking to be a below average year.
  • Demand remains strong in the region and is coming from all along the eastern states. There is a lot of enquiry coming in for next seasons crops both from farmers looking to secure hay and from croppers. Supply in the region is limited
  • Price changes have been noted this week.
  • Cereal hay: +73 ($350 to $500/t). Prices have firmed this week.
  • Lucerne hay: +/-0 ($400 to $600/t). Prices remain steady this week
  • Straw: +45 ($160 to $180/t). Prices have firmed this week.
  • Pasture hay: +85 ($330 to $410/t). Prices have firmed this week.

Gippsland

  • Gippsland received patchy rainfall this week with areas in the south and west receiving some good rainfall while central Gippsland received little and much of the east received none.
  • The MID this week were allocated 85% of water supply for irrigation and farmers are planning ahead on what they can irrigate. There are some farmers in the east who have already started irrigating to allow growth while evaporation remains low.
  • Demand remains very high in the region and supply is limited.
  • There has been no price change noted this week.
  • Cereal hay: +/-0 ($350 to $435/t). Prices remain steady this week.
  • Lucerne hay: +/-0 ($400 to $500/t). Prices remain steady this week.
  • Straw: +/-0 ($180 to $250/t). Prices remain steady this week.
  • Pasture hay: +/-0 ($320 to $420/t). Prices remain steady this week.

Southwest Victoria

  • Some good rainfall has been recorded in southwest Victoria this week with Colac recording 20mm, Warrnambool 31mm and Hamilton 18mm.
  • Grass in the region is growing, albeit slowly. It is expected that in 2-3 weeks there will be a reduced need for hand feeding in the region.
  • Demand is strong and continues to increase, primarily coming from NSW. Supply is limited and difficult to source.
  • There has been no price change noted this week.
  • Cereal hay: +/-0 ($250 to $300/t). Prices remain steady this week.
  • Lucerne hay: +/-0 ($330 to $420/t). Prices remain steady this week.
  • Straw: +/-0 ($140 to $165/t). Prices remain steady this week.
  • Pasture hay: +/-0 ($250 to $300/t). Prices remain steady this week.

Southeast South Australia

  • It has been another wet week in southeast South Australia with Mt Gambier recording 30mm, Naracoorte 20mm, Padthaway 23mm and Keith 21mm.
  • Crops in the region are looking green and healthy. There is some waterlogging occurring in the south of the region, but this is not causing much damage.
  • Demand remains high in the region, largely coming for NSW. Most of what is being moved is contractual, supply in the region is limited.
  • Cereal and Lucerne prices have firmed this week.
  • Cereal hay: +100 ($300 to $400/t). Prices have firmed this week.
  • Lucerne hay: +90 ($400 to $500/t). Prices have firmed this week.
  • Straw: +/-0 ($120 to $150/t). Prices remain steady this week.
  • Pasture hay: +/-0 ($200 to $300/t). Prices remain steady this week.

Central South Australia

  • Central South Australia received some patchy rain fall this week with Maitland recording 14mm, Kadina, 8mm, Roseworthy 13mm and Clare 24mm.
  • Crops are looking promising after consistent rainfall over the last couple of weeks. There are still parts of the region that remain dry particularly in north and east. Some cereal crops in the south of the York Peninsula are looking promising and have the potential to be an average year.
  • Demand remains high in the region and there is a lot of enquiry for protein hay. Supply is limited with most hay now spoken for.
  • Lucerne and cereal hay prices have firmed this week.
  • Cereal hay: +80 ($300 to $400/t). Prices have firmed this week.
  • Lucerne hay: +45 ($300 to $450/t). Prices have firmed this week.
  • Straw: +/-0 ($120 to $150/t). Prices remain steady this week.

Southwest Western Australia

  • Southwest Western Australia received some good rainfall last Thursday with Bridgetown recording 30mm and Busselton 27mm. Since then, Bridgetown has recorded another 30mm and Busselton 19mm.
  • There has been a lot of waterlogging reported in the region and there is the potential for nitrogen to have leaked out of the soil. Farmers are aerial spraying crops with nitrogen.
  • Demand continues to ease in southwest Western Australia.
  • There is no price change noted this week.
  • 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 ($80 to 140/t). Prices remain steady this week.
  • Pasture hay: +/-$0 ($80 to $200/t). Prices remain steady this week.

Northwest Tasmania

  • Northwest Tasmania received some patchy rainfall this week with Cressy recording 9mm, Smithton 36mm, Devonport 1mm and Launceston 2mm.
  • There is still some waterlogging in the region slowing farm activity in these areas.
  • The demand for fodder remains strong in Northwest Tasmania. Supplies are limited and are difficult to source.
  • There are no price changes noted this week.
  • Cereal hay: +/-0 ($210 to $250/t) Prices remain steady this week.
  • Lucerne hay: +/-0 ($300 to $350/t) Prices remain steady this week.
  • Straw: +/-0 ($200 to $240/t) Prices remain steady week.
  • Pasture hay: +/-$0 ($140 to $200/t) Prices remain steady this week.