Hay Report – 5 October 2018

5 Oct 2018 | Hay Reports

National Summary

  • As the day lengths increase so does activity on the farm.
  • It is a busy week of cutting and baling. There are a lot of failed crops this season in Victoria and South Australia that are being turned into hay and silage.
  • The threat of rain is interrupting hay making in north coast NSW, the Atherton Tablelands and Western Australia. Farmers are doing what they can with their crops in the unfavourable hay making conditions.
  • While the demand for fodder remains strong, it has eased from its peak. Prices remain steady this week through most of the regions with price changes only noted in the Darling Downs, central west NSW and Gippsland.   
  • 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

  • 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.
  • 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. 
  • 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.

Atherton Tablelands

  • It has been an overcast week in the Atherton Tablelands that has threatened drizzle but hasn’t brought the rain.
  • The weather has not been favourable for making hay this week. Some farmers have made a few small bales but are waiting for sunshine to cut irrigated crops.
  • Demand remains very high and 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

  • Rain fell in the Darling Downs on Sunday with Tawoomba recording 7mm.
  • There are a lot of small squares and silage being made in the Darling Downs. Frosted and failed crops continue to be baled in the region. 
  • Demand for fodder remains high in the region. Hay is being sourced from all along the eastern states.  
  • Lucerne prices have firmed this week.
  • Cereal hay: +/-0 ($500 to $600/t). Prices remain steady this week.
  • Lucerne hay: +25 ($550 to $600/t). 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

  • It was a drizzly weekend for north coast NSW, but no substantial rainfall was recorded.
  • 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.
  • The threat of showers has interfered with hay making; some farmers are now making silage with these crops.
  • Demand remains strong however has eased locally. New seasons supply has come into the market.
  • There are no price changes noted this week.
  • Cereal hay: +/-0 ($450 to $600/t). Prices remain steady 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, light frosts were also reported. There are heavy showers and storms forecasted for 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 are anticipating the rains and the flow on effect from this. There is some silage being made in the region as well as canola.
  • Demand while high has eased from its peak. New season supply from South Australia and Victoria has come into the market. 
  • Cereal and lucerne hay prices have eased this week
  • Cereal hay:  -50 ($450 to $550/t). Prices have eased this week.
  • Lucerne hay: -25 ($550 to $600/t). Prices have eased 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

  • After Wednesday’s 17mm of rain, Bega has had some follow-up rainfall, recording 2mm on Saturday and 5mm on Thursday.
  • 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.
  • The rains have improved crop health and grass growth in Bega.
  • Demand has eased with the rains. There is a lot of canola being transported around the region.
  • It has been reported that canola available in the region from $400/t delivered locally.
  • 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 again this week; frosts were also reported in the region.
  • Pasture hay in the region is about one week behind. Failed crops continue to be cut and baled in the region; if there is no rain this week there may be more hay to make. Silage yields are down this season.
  • 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.
  • There is no price change noted this week.
  • Cereal hay: +/-0 ($310 to $400/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

  • Light rain fell in Gippsland this week with Yanakie recording, 9mm, Sale 5mm, Orbost 7mm, Yarram 5mm and Bairnsdale 9mm.
  • Gippsland is very dry and crops not on irrigation are dying. Farmers are planning to put stock on these failed crops. West Gippsland has dried but crops are still holding in there. It is postulated the Gippsland crops will only produce 20-30% of an average year.
  • 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.
  • It has been reported there is some barley silage available in the region for $130/t on farm.
  • Lucerne prices have firmed this week.
  • Cereal hay: +/-0 ($420 to $550/t). Prices remain steady this week.
  • Lucerne hay: +125 ($550 to $600/t). Prices have firmed this week.
  • Straw: +/-0 ($200 to $250/t). Prices remain steady this week.
  • Pasture hay: +/-0 ($420 to $520/t). Prices remain steady this week.

Southwest Victoria

  • Light patchy rain fell over southwest Victoria this week with Warrnambool recording 10mm, Hamilton 5mm and Colac 3mm
  • Southwest Victoria has started to dry out. There is some silage being made in the region and hay being made north of the region in the Wimmera. 
  • Demand has slowed in the region. There is new season supply coming into the market north of the region from Wimmera.
  • It has been reported there is some vetch available in the Wimmera region for $300 – $440/t on farm.
  • It has been reported there is canola available in the region for $300 – $350/t delivered locally.
  • 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

  • Over the weekend light patchy rain fell in southeast South Australia with Mt Gambier recording 4mm, Naracoorte 2mm while Padthaway and Keith only recorded a light drizzle. Light frosts were also reported in the region.
  • Southeast South Australia is starting to dry out. Crops are still looking healthy but in need of rain; some may be frost damaged. There is some new season cereal hay being cut in the region as well as some failed crops.
  • Demand while high has eased a little, farmers are trying to secure this seasons hay supplies.        
  • Prices remain steady 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 ($160 to $180/t). Prices remain steady this week.
  • Pasture hay: +/-0 ($300 to $400/t). Prices remain steady this week.

Central South Australia

  • Patchy rain fell on the weekend in central west South Australia with Maitland recording 4mm, while areas such as Clare, Kadina and Roseworthy only recording drizzle. Frosts were also reported in the region.
  • There are frost and draught affected crops being cut and balled in the region. There is some vetch in the region that is around two weeks from a cut.
  • Demand has eased in the region. 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.
  • Prices remain steady 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

  • Patchy rain fell on Sunday in south west Western Australia with areas such as Busselton recording 7mm, while areas such as Bridgetown recorded no rainfall. 
  • There is some new season hay ready to be cut in the region, however the weather has put a halt on most of the regions hay making. Rains have improved crop health in some of the region.
  • The domestic demand remains steady. New seasons supply is coming into the market.
  • 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

  • Saturday brought light patchy rain to north-west Tasmania with Smithton recording 3mm, while Launceston and Devonport received no rainfall. 
  • Tasmania is starting to get really dry and is in need of some rain. Crops are still looking healthy, however if there is no rain over the next fortnight it is looking to be a below average season.
  • Demand has eased as the weather has warmed. 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.