Hay Report – 16 November 2018

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 1^st 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 was a lot of high moisture hay baled this year with inoculants in southern Australia. If the hay has a high moisture content but is not hot it should be safe. This hay should be sold on a dry matter basis.
• There is a large amount of canola crops and failed wheat crops that have been 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 1^st 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 making is underway in Western Australia with much of the supply cut and ready to be baled. There are some failed crops that have been made into hay.
• 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 sunny, hot and humid in the Atherton Tablelands but there has been no rainfall recorded this week.
• The region is very dry and in need of some rain. Crops on irrigation have been cut again this week.
• Demand remains steady 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. The price range indicated is for feeds of varying quality with the price range generally indicative of quality of feed. We recommend feed testing and viewing of fodder before purchase to be sure of the quality of feed.
• 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 was another dry sunny week in the Darling Downs with no rainfall recorded. 
• Things have really dried out again in the Darling Downs. There is no real grass growth and sourgham and forage planted with the rains are in need of some more rain.
• Demand while still strong has eased a little. Hay continues to be carted into the region from all across the eastern states. Sugar cane tops and sourgham stubble are being baled in the region; being used as roughage.
• It has been reported there are sugar cane tops available in the region from $180/t on farm.
• It has been reported that sourgham stubble is available in the region for $250-$300/t on farm.
• Price changes have been noted this week.
• Cereal hay: -25 ($450 to $550/t). Prices have eased this week.
• Lucerne hay: +50 ($550 to $650/t). Prices have firmed this week.
• Straw: -75 ($250 to $300/t). Prices have eased this week.
• Pasture hay: -25 ($250 to $350/t) Prices have eased this week.
• Please note unless stated otherwise, prices are per tonne, delivered locally. The price range indicated is for feeds of varying quality with the price range generally indicative of quality of feed. We recommend feed testing and viewing of fodder before purchase to be sure of the quality of feed.

North Coast NSW

• Scattered rain fell over north coast NSW this week with Lismore recording 5mm, Glen Innes 13mm and Grafton 6mm.
• 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 1^st January 2018. For more information and to apply please visit www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/climate-and-emergancies/droughthub.
• Farmers continue to be busy this week making hay. The October rain helped crops which are looking to have an above average yield.
• Demand has eased from its peak. Much of the silage in the region was destined to be hay but the weather did not permit this. Varieties include oaten, vetch, rye grass and other grass varieties.
• It has been reported that silage is available in the region from $120/bale on farm.
• It has been reported there is Rhodes grass available from $300/t on farm.  
• Cereal and pasture hay prices have eased this week.
• Cereal hay: -85 ($330 to $440/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: -40 ($330 to $390/t). Prices have eased this week.
• Please note unless stated otherwise, prices are per tonne, delivered locally. The price range indicated is for feeds of varying quality with the price range generally indicative of quality of feed. We recommend feed testing and viewing of fodder before purchase to be sure of the quality of feed.

Central West NSW

• Since last Thursday’s rain event no rainfall has been recorded in central west NSW.
• 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 1^st January 2018. For more information and to apply please visit www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/climate-and-emergancies/droughthub.
• Farmers this week have been busy making hay. Crops on irrigation are looking to provide an average yield, however dry land crops are looking below average.
• Demand while strong has eased in the region. Many farmers in the region are holding on to their supplies for personal use to ensure they have enough to last the winter. Most canola in the region is for personal use, canola coming into the market is of varying quality and feed tests are recommended.
• It has been reported there is some canola hay available from $400/t delivered locally.
• Straw and pasture hay prices have eased this week.
• Cereal hay:  +/-0 ($400 to $500/t). Prices remain steady this week.
• Lucerne hay: +/-0 ($550 to $650/t). Prices remain steady this week.
• Straw: -75 ($250 to $300/t). Prices have eased this week.
• Pasture hay: -160 ($250 to $350/t). Prices have eased this week.
• Please note unless stated otherwise, prices are per tonne, delivered locally. The price range indicated is for feeds of varying quality with the price range generally indicative of quality of feed. We recommend feed testing and viewing of fodder before purchase to be sure of the quality of feed.

Bega Valley

• Following last Thursday’s 16mm of rain, Bega recorded 3mm 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 1^st January 2018. For more information and to apply please visit www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/climate-and-emergancies/droughthub.
• The grass continues to grow but needs rain. The recent rainfall will help with grass growth. Farmers are still busy making silage to decrease their need to purchase feed.
• Demand has eased from its peak. Farmers are trying to make as much feed as they can for themselves. There is new season hay being carted into the region from NSW and Victoria. There is canola available in the region coming from Victoria which is testing well. Silage being made in the region for purchase is primarily pasture silage.
• It has been reported that canola available in the region from $400/t delivered locally.
• It has been reported that there is silage available in the region from $70/bale on farm.
• There are no price changes noted this week.
• Cereal hay: +/-0 ($400 to $500/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.
• Please note unless stated otherwise, prices are per tonne, delivered locally. The price range indicated is for feeds of varying quality with the price range generally indicative of quality of feed. We recommend feed testing and viewing of fodder before purchase to be sure of the quality of feed.

Goulburn/Murray Valley

• It was a hot, dry, sunny week in the Goulburn Valley with no rainfall recorded.
• Lucerne and second cuts are being made in the region this week, farmers making the most of the dry weather.
• Demand has eased in the region. Irrigated crops that are being cut such as lucerne, rye grass, clover and cereals for those who had the right timing of their cuts these crops are of high quality; some farmers waited for rains and these crops are a little mature and will not be as of as high a quality. Canola that has been made correctly is testing well and is good quality feed.
• It has been reported canola is available in the region for $250 – $300/t on farm.
• It has been reported that vetch is available in the region f0r $450 – 550/t delivered locally.
• It has been reported there is canola and wheaten silage being made and coming into the market at $200/t on farm.
• It has been reported there is clover available for $500 – $600/t on farm.
• It has been reported that there is rye grass available from $375/t on farm.
• Cereal hay prices have eased this week.
• Cereal hay: – 50 ($270 to $400/t). Prices have eased this week.
• Lucerne hay: +/-0 ($540 to $575/t). Prices remain steady this week
• Straw: +/-0 ($160 to $180/t). Prices remain steady this week.
• Pasture hay: -25 ($350 to $425/t). Prices have eased this week.
• Please note unless stated otherwise, prices are per tonne, delivered locally. The price range indicated is for feeds of varying quality with the price range generally indicative of quality of feed. We recommend feed testing and viewing of fodder before purchase to be sure of the quality of feed.

Gippsland

• Gippsland was dry this week with no rainfall recorded.
• Grass in the region has now gone to head. Farmers are making as much feed as they can for themselves. Silage has been made and is moving from south Gippsland. Yields throughout the region are down.
• Demand remains strong in Gippsland. There is a lot of hay being carted into Gippsland from other parts of the state. Silage in the region is mainly for personal use but is being sold. Pea hay is testing well and is a high protein food source. Canola that has been made correctly is testing well is and is good quality feed.
• 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 $270-$320/t delivered locally.
• It has been reported that there is some barley silage available in the region from $130/t on farm.
• There are no price changes noted this week.
• Cereal hay: +/-0 ($400 to $470/t). Prices remain steady this week.
• Lucerne hay: +/-0 ($550 to $600/t). Prices remain steady this week.
• Straw: +/-0 ($200 to $250/t). Prices remain steady this week.
• Pasture hay: +/-0 ($480 to $520/t). Prices remain steady this week.
• Please note unless stated otherwise, prices are per tonne, delivered locally. The price range indicated is for feeds of varying quality with the price range generally indicative of quality of feed. We recommend feed testing and viewing of fodder before purchase to be sure of the quality of feed.

Southwest Victoria

• Saturday brought light rain to southwest Victoria with Warrnambool and Colac both recording 1mm and Hamilton recording 2mm.
• Southwest Victoria is into hay season. Yields for the region look to be down. Farmers that have decided to cut frost and moisture damaged crops near Lake Bolac have now cut these crops, however many have decided to keep these crops and make grain.
• Demand has slowed in southwest Victoria. Farmers in the region are making silage for their own personal use to decrease their need for feed and it is postulated they are waiting to see how much feed they can make themselves before purchasing feed.
• 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 are no price changes noted this week.
• Cereal hay: +/-0 ($300 to $350/t). Prices remain steady this week.
• Lucerne hay: +/-0 ($425 to $500/t). Prices remain steady this week.
• Straw: +/-0 ($150 to $180/t). Prices remain steady this week.
• Pasture hay: +/-0 ($300 to $350/t). Prices remain steady this week.
• Please note unless stated otherwise, prices are per tonne, delivered locally. The price range indicated is for feeds of varying quality with the price range generally indicative of quality of feed. We recommend feed testing and viewing of fodder before purchase to be sure of the quality of feed.

Southeast South Australia

• Scattered rain fell in southeast South Australia on Saturday with Mt Gambier recording 2mm while Keith, Padthaway and Naracoorte recorded none. 
• There is a lot of hay being made in the region. The late rain helped most crops and the yields are looking to be good.
• Demand has eased in the region, there are farmers trying to secure this seasons feed. Most silage being made in the region is for personal use but some of this is being sold varieties include rye grass, lucerne and pasture.
• Cereal and Lucerne hay prices have eased this week.
• Cereal hay: -25 ($300 to $350/t). Prices have eased this week.
• Lucerne hay: -25 ($500 to $550/t). Prices have eased 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.
• Please note unless stated otherwise, prices are per tonne, delivered locally. The price range indicated is for feeds of varying quality with the price range generally indicative of quality of feed. We recommend feed testing and viewing of fodder before purchase to be sure of the quality of feed.

Central South Australia

• Central south Australia was hot, dry and sunny this week with no rainfall recorded.
• Farmers are very busy harvesting this week.
• Demand is steady in the region with farmers trying to secure their hay supplies to last through the summer. There is a lot of hay in the region that has been left in the paddocks that will need to move to ensure it is not weather damaged. Frosted peas in the region reportedly are testing really well and have a high protein content. It has been reported that stock are taking well to canola hay and the feed tests on this vary. Canola which has had nitrogen spread with the anticipation of rain is not testing as well as those crops that have not been treated with nitrogen. There is a lot of frosted wheat in the region that is of varying quality.
• It has been reported clover is available in the region for $250-$400/t on farm.
• It has been reported that there is some frosted pea hay available for $300-$330/t on farm.
• It has been reported that there is canola hay available in the region for $300-$350/t on farm.
• There are price changes noted this week.
• Cereal hay: -25 ($300 to $350/t). Prices have eased this week.
• Lucerne hay: +50 ($480 to $550/t). Prices have firmed this week.
• Straw: +70 ($80 to $230/t). Prices have eased this week.
• Please note unless stated otherwise, prices are per tonne, delivered locally. The price range indicated is for feeds of varying quality with the price range generally indicative of quality of feed. We recommend feed testing and viewing of fodder before purchase to be sure of the quality of feed.

Southwest Western Australia

• Light scattered rain fell over southwest Western Australia this week with Busselton recording 3mm while Bridgetown recorded none.
• Things are drying out a little in the region. Yields in the region have varied greatly. Hay is of varying quality with some having weather damaged.
• Domestic demand is quite strong with many farmers trying to secure supplies to last them through the winter. There is limited carryover from previous seasons as most of this has moved to the eastern states.
• Cereal hay prices have firmed this week.
• Cereal hay: +10 ($250 to $350/t). Prices have firmed 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.
• Please note unless stated otherwise, prices are per tonne, delivered locally. The price range indicated is for feeds of varying quality with the price range generally indicative of quality of feed. We recommend feed testing and viewing of fodder before purchase to be sure of the quality of feed.

Northwest Tasmania

• Northwest Tasmania experienced some drizzly days this week, but no rainfall was recorded. 
• Silage continues to be made in the region. Yields on dry land crops vary.
• Demand for feed is very high in Tasmania with limited supply available. Silage is being sold in the region and this is moving very quickly.
• It has been reported silage is available in the region from $92/bale on farm.
• There are price changes noted this week.
• Cereal hay: +70 ($275 to $325/t) Prices have firmed this week.
• Lucerne hay: +/-0 ($300 to $350/t) Prices remain steady this week.
• Straw: -120 ($80 to $120/t) Prices have eased this week.
• Pasture hay: +/-$0 ($140 to $200/t) Prices remain steady this week.
• Please note unless stated otherwise, prices are per tonne, delivered locally. The price range indicated is for feeds of varying quality with the price range generally indicative of quality of feed. We recommend feed testing and viewing of fodder before purchase to be sure of the quality of feed.