National Summary
- A month into spring winter is now well behind us.
- New seasons supply is starting to come into the market. There are many failed crops this season that are being turned into hay and silage.
- Cereal hay prices have eased in north coast NSW, central west NSW, Goulburn Valley and central west South Australia. Pasture hay and straw prices have firmed in Gippsland and southeast South Australia.
- Demand for fodder remains strong throughout the nation and farmers are trying to secure this seasons hay supplies.
- 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.
- New season hay is being made in the region and is starting to supply the market. Supply is limited with a lot of hay being carted into the region from the southern parts of the nation.
- 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
- New season hay has come into the market with limited carryover from last season and previous years.
- There is a large amount of canola crops and failed wheat crops that will be turned into hay and silage this season.
- It is anticipated demand will exceed supply in New South Wales, Victoria, and South Australia.
- 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.
Western Australia – Summary
- There is good growth in Western Australia and the domestic demand for fodder has eased.
- Hay is being transported from Western Australia to NSW and Victoria.
- 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 drizzly week in the Atherton Tablelands and the mornings have been unusually cold for the time of year.
- Most of the seasons first cut has been made. The cool mornings have slowed irrigated crop growth. Farmers are looking to cut as soon as there is a break in the weather to make the most of their irrigated crops.
- Demand remains very high and is coming from all across the eastern states. Supply is limited.
- There has been no price change noted this week.
- Pasture hay: +/-0 ($300 to $400/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
- There was no rainfall recorded in the Darling Downs this week.
- There a lot of small squares being baled in the region. The first cut of Lucerne is occurring and some of this is on the market, however mostly as small bales. Barley and failed wheat crops continue to be made in the region.
- Demand for fodder remains high in the region. Hay is largely being sourced from South Australia and Victoria.
- Lucerne prices have firmed this week.
- Cereal hay: +/-0 ($500 to $600/t). Prices remain steady this week.
- Lucerne hay: +55 ($500 to $600/t). Prices have firmed this week.
- Straw: +/-0 ($400 to $450/t). Prices remain steady 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
- North coast NSW received light rainfall Tuesday with Grafton recording 1mm, Glen Innes 4mm and Lismore 3mm.
- 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 is some hay ready to be made in the region once there is a break in the weather. Much of this hay is already spoken for.
- Demand remains strong however has eased locally. New seasons supply has come into the market.
- Cereal hay prices have eased this week.
- Cereal hay: -75 ($450 to $600/t). Prices have eased 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
- There was no rainfall recorded in central west NSW this week.
- 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.
- Canola crops have been cut and will be baled next week; cereal hay is around 2-3 weeks away.
- Demand while high has eased from its peak. New season supply from South Australia and Victoria has come into the market.
- Cereal hay prices have eased this week.
- Cereal hay: -25 ($500 to $600/t). Prices have eased this week.
- Lucerne hay: +/-0 ($550 to $650/t). Prices remain steady this week.
- Straw: +/-0 ($350 to $400/t). Prices remain steady this week.
- Pasture hay: +/-0 ($400 to $520/t). Prices remain steady this week.
Bega Valley
- There was no rainfall recorded in Bega this week.
- 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 canola crops being cut and baled in the region. Farmers are waiting to see if the forecasted rains come through to determine what to do with their crops.
- Demand for fodder remains strong throughout the region. Hay is being transported into the region from Victoria and South Australia with new season supply expected in the region next week. Some farmers are sourcing alternative feeds such as palm kernels.
- 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 recorded no rainfall this week, light frosts were also reported in some of the region.
- Frost affected wheat and canola crops are being cut and baled in the region. Some Lucerne should be ready for a cut in about 10 days. It is dry and in parts of the region stem frosted crops do not have enough biomass and are browning off, these will either be sprayed or grazed by livestock.
- Demand remains strong in the region and new season supply is coming into the market.
- It has been reported canola is available in the region for $300 – $400/t on farm.
- It has been reported that vetch is available in the region from $550/t delivered locally.
- It has been reported there may be canola and wheaten silage being made and coming into the market at $200/t on farm.
- Cereal hay prices have eased this week.
- Cereal hay: -70 ($310 to $400/t). Prices have eased 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
- Patchy rain fell over Gippsland this week with areas such as Mt Baw Baw recording 7mm, Wonthaggi 4mm, Orbost 1mm, while areas such as Sale and Bairnsdale received no rainfall
- East Gippsland remains dry with very little growth. The grass is just starting to get ahead of the cows in the MID region. There is some pasture hay, cereal hay and rye grasses being cut in this part of the region.
- Demand for fodder remains high in the region, however has eased from its peak. Most hay coming into the region is coming from western Victoria, the Goulburn Valley and the Mallee.
- It has been reported pea hay is available in the region from $500/t delivered locally.
- It has been reported there is some canola available in the region for $320-$400/t delivered locally.
- Straw and pasture hay prices have firmed this week.
- Cereal hay: +/-0 ($420 to $550/t). Prices remain steady this week.
- Lucerne hay: +/-0 ($400 to $500/t). Prices remain steady this week.
- Straw: +10 ($200 to $250/t). Prices have firmed this week.
- Pasture hay: +100 ($420 to $520/t). Prices have firmed this week.
Southwest Victoria
- Light patchy rain fell over southwest Victoria on Sunday with Warrnambool recording 3mm, Hamilton 1mm and Colac only receiving a light drizzle.
- Growth continues at a slow rate in the region. There will be some silage being cut in 2-3 weeks.
- Demand has slowed in the region. There is new season supply coming into the market north of the region from Nhill and Kaniva.
- It has been reported there is some vetch available from Nhill and Kaniva from $300/t on farm.
- There is no price change noted this week.
- Cereal hay: +/-0 ($300 to $350/t). Prices remain steady this week.
- Lucerne hay: +/-0 ($330 to $420/t). Prices remain steady this week.
- Straw: +/-0 ($150 to $180/t). Prices remain steady this week.
- Pasture hay: +/-0 ($300 to $400/t). Prices remain steady this week.
Southeast South Australia
- There was patchy rainfall over the weekend in southeast South Australia with Mt Gambier recording 3mm, drizzle reported in Naracoorte and Padthaway and no rainfall recorded in Keith. Light frosts were also reported in the region.
- Crops are looking healthy and continue to grow as it dries in the region. Due to the wet winter many crops in the region are behind.
- Demand remains strong in the region with farmers trying to secure hay supplies to last through to next winter.
- Straw and pasture hay prices have firmed 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: +35 ($160 to $180/t). Prices have firmed this week.
- Pasture hay: +50 ($300 to $400/t). Prices have firmed this week.
Central South Australia
- No rainfall was recorded in central west South Australia this week.
- There is some bearded wheat crops that are frost and draught affected that are being cut and baled in the drier parts of the region. If it doesn’t rain this week there will be more crops in the region that will be cut for hay.
- Demand remains high in the region and farmers are looking to secure hay supplies. Some new season supply has come into the market.
- It has been reported clover is available in the region for $250-$400/t on farm.
- Cereal hay prices have eased this week.
- Cereal hay: -100 ($300 to $400/t). Prices have eased 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
- Patchy rain fell over southwest Western Australia this week with Permberton recording 11mm, Busselton reporting drizzle while Bridgetown recorded no rainfall.
- Failed wheat crops, rye grasses, oaten hay and frosted peas are being cut and baled in the region.
- The domestic demand remains steady however there is a high demand from the eastern states with hay being carted to NSW and Victoria.
- 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
- Light patchy rain fell over north-west Tasmania this week with Smithton recording 2mm while Launceston and Devenport recorded no rainfall, light frosts were also reported in some of the region.
- Things are starting to dry out in parts of northwest Tasmania. Farmers in these parts of the region are now able to get on the paddock to spray and fertilize. There is some silage being made in the region and for some the first cut of lucerne will start happening in 2 weeks.
- Demand remains steady and supply is very limited. It is anticipated there will be no carryover as carryover supplies have been moved to NSW.
- 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.