National Summary
- As winter draws nearer to the end we look to spring and the warmer weather.
- Frosts were reported this week in central west NSW, north coast NSW, Bega, central South Australia, southwest Western Australia and in the Atherton Tablelands.
- Southwest Victoria, south east South Australia and northwest Tasmania have had some good rain and crop growth this season. Some crops in southwest Western Australia, central west South Australia and parts of the Goulburn Valley and Gippsland have had a late start. North coast NSW, Bega, central west NSW and the Darling Downs have had low rainfall and some crops are struggling.
- Cereal hay prices have firmed in north coast NSW, central west NSW and Gippsland. There have been no price changes noted in Atherton Tablelands, Bega, Goulburn Valley, south east South Australia, central west South Australia, 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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
- It has been a dry sunny week in the Atherton Tablelands. Light frosts have been reported in the region.
- There is little hay left to cut in the region. People that have access to irrigation are irrigating crops. These farmers could have another cut in 8-10 weeks.
- Demand remains strong 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
- It is another dry week in the Darling Downs with no rainfall recorded.
- There is wheat and barley in the region being cut this week to be make hay.
- Demand for fodder remains high in the region. Hay is largely being sourced from South Australia and Victoria. Pasture hay is being sourced from Northern Territory.
- Straw prices have firmed this week.
- Cereal hay: +/-0 ($500 to $600/t). Prices remain steady this week.
- Lucerne hay: +/-$0 ($440 to $550/t). Prices remain steady this week.
- Straw: +50 ($400 to $450/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 was recorded this week in north coast NSW. Frosts and strong winds have been 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.
- There are some coastal grasses being cut and baled in the region.
- Demand remains strong in north coast NSW. Fodder is largely being sourced from South Australia and Victoria.
- Cereal hay prices have firmed this week.
- Cereal hay: +150 ($500 to $700/t). Prices have firmed this week.
- Lucerne hay: +/-0 ($500 to $750/t). Prices remain steady 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 1mm while areas such as Dubbo and Orange recorded no rainfall. Frosts and strong winds 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.
- There has been a slight improvement in some of the crops in parts of the region over the last couple of weeks. Some crops in parts of the region look that they might produce some feed.
- Demand remains high in central west NSW. Supplies are coming from South Australia and Victoria. Fodder supplies are difficult to source.
- Cereal hay and straw prices have firmed this week.
- Cereal hay: +25 ($550 to $600/t). Prices have firmed this week.
- Lucerne hay: +/-0 ($550 to $650/t). Prices remain steady this week.
- Straw: +105 ($350 to $400/t). Prices have firmed this week.
- Pasture hay: +/-0 ($400 to $520/t). Prices remain steady this week.
Bega Valley
- There has been no rainfall recorded in Bega this week. Strong winds and frosts have also 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.
- A Fires swept through the region of Bega last week however not too much farmland was affected. Crops are struggling in the cool dry conditions and are lying dormant in the ground.
- 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.
- No price change has been noted this week.
- Cereal hay: +/-0 ($480 to $550/t). Prices remain steady this week.
- Lucerne hay: +/-0 ($500 to $650/t). Prices remain steady this week.
- Straw: +/-0 ($200 to $250/t). Prices remain steady this week.
- Pasture hay: +/-0 ($400 to $475/t). Prices remain steady this week.
Goulburn/Murray Valley
- The Goulburn Valley received some patchy rainfall this week with Echuca recording 7mm, Shepparton 9mm, Benalla 15mm, Yarrawonga 3mm and Kyabram 8mm.
- For some areas in the region the rain over the last couple of weeks has significantly helped crops which are now looking healthy. There are some parts of the region which have not had the same rainfall and are just holding in there.
- External demand remains strong and is primarily coming from NSW. Locally there is a need for fodder with some farmers 3 – 4 weeks short of feed.
- There has been no price change noted this week.
- Cereal hay: +/-0 ($350 to $500/t). Prices remain steady this week.
- Lucerne hay: +/-0 ($400 to $600/t). Prices remain steady this week
- Straw: +/-0 ($160 to $180/t). Prices remain steady this week.
- Pasture hay: +/-0 ($330 to $410/t). Prices remain steady this week.
Gippsland
- There was patchy rainfall over Gippsland this week. The west received substantial rainfall with areas such as Mt Baw Baw recording 65mm, central and east Gippsland did not receive as much rain with Bairnsdale recording 12mm and Sale 9mm.
- Growth in west Gippsland continues at a slow rate. East Gippsland remains dry with strong winds continuing to dry soils. Crops in the east of the region are looking to be below average for the season.
- Demand remains very high in the region and supply is limited.
- Cereal hay prices have firmed this week.
- Cereal hay: +38 ($400 to $460/t). Prices have firmed 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
- Rain fell in southwest Victoria this week with Colac recording 18mm, Warrnambool 20mm and Hamilton 18mm.
- Crops in the region are showing promise. As growth continues there is the potential for a cut at the end of September.
- Demand in the region remains strong, primarily coming from NSW. Supply is limited and most hay in the region is spoken for.
- Straw prices have firmed 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: +13 ($150 to $180/t). Prices remain have firmed this week.
- Pasture hay: +/-0 ($250 to $300/t). Prices remain steady this week.
Southeast South Australia
- Rain continues to fall in southeast South Australia with Mt Gambier recording 26mm, Naracoorte 20mm, Padthaway 17mm and Keith 15mm.
- There is still some waterlogging in the region but this is not causing much damage. Crops are looking good in the region and at present are looking to provide a good season.
- Demand remains high in the region, largely coming for NSW. Most of what is being moved is contractual, supply in the region is limited.
- There has been no price change noted this week.
- Cereal hay: +/-0 ($300 to $400/t). Prices remain steady this week.
- Lucerne hay: +/-0 ($400 to $500/t). Prices remain steady 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
- Patchy rain fell over central South Australia with Kadina recording 2mm, Roseworthy 5mm and Clare 5mm while areas such as Maitland recorded no rainfall. Some parts of the region also experienced some light frosts.
- Crops in the region are growing and looking healthy after the consistent rainfall over the last three weeks. Some areas in the region are seeing slower growth than others and some crops are behind.
- Demand for fodder remains high in the region with limited supply available.
- There has been no price change noted this week.
- Cereal hay: +/-0 ($300 to $400/t). Prices remain steady this week.
- Lucerne hay: +/-0 ($300 to $450/t). Prices remain steady this week.
- Straw: +/-0 ($120 to $150/t). Prices remain steady this week.
Southwest Western Australia
- Light patchy rain fell over southwest Western Australia this week with Busselton recording 2mm and Permberton 6mm. Light frosts were also reported in some parts of the region.
- Crops are growing, albeit slowly. Due to the late start in the southwest of Western Australia some crops are behind and may have a below average season.
- Demand has eased in the region. Most of the fodder being moved in the region is committed with little supply available. Many farmers will be moving into the next season with empty sheds.
- 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
- It was another week of patchy rainfall in northwest Tasmania with Smithton recording 52mm, Devonport 16mm and Launceston 8mm.
- Growth continues at a slow rate in northwest Tasmania.
- 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.