Hay Report – 30 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 a hot week in the Atherton Tablelands and the region recorded its first rainfall event of the month with Walkamin recording 24mm.
• Hay is being made in the region on irrigated land. Grass seed is about one week from harvest.
• 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

• Friday brought rain to the Darling Downs with Tawoomba recording 17mm. Strong winds have also been reported.
• There is still a bit of straw being made in the region. Winds have dried soils in the region. Millet and sourghum crops are still looking good.
• Demand while still strong in the region has eased a little. Hay continues to be carted into the region from all across the eastern states.
• No price changes have been noted this week.
• Cereal hay: +/-0 ($450 to $550/t). Prices remain steady this week.
• Lucerne hay: +/-0 ($550 to $650/t). Prices remain steady this week.
• Straw: +/-0 ($250 to $300/t). Prices remain steady this week.
• Pasture hay: +/-0 ($250 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.

North Coast NSW

• Scattered rain fell in the region on Friday with Lismore recording 14mm while Grafton only recorded a drizzle and Glen Innes had no rainfall.
• 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 are busy finishing off baling oats and are starting to cut pasture hay.
• 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 $100/bale on farm.
• It has been reported there is Rhodes grass available from $300/t on farm.  
• Cereal hay prices have eased this week.
• Cereal hay: -5 ($330 to $430/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 ($330 to $390/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 West NSW

• Thursday brought scattered rain to the region with Orange recording 33mm, Cowra 18mm, Forbes 20mm while Dubbo recorded no rainfall.  
• 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.
• Many farmers in the region are waiting for a good break in the weather to start cutting and making hay. The rain is helping grass growth and is benefiting summer crops such as sourgham, millet and summer grasses.
• Demand has slowed in the region it has been postulated some of this is due to grass growth. There are a lot of farmers who are holding off selling hay to ensure they have enough feed for themselves. 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.
• Cereal hay prices have eased this week.
• Cereal hay: -25 ($400 to $450/t). Prices have eased this week.
• Lucerne hay: +/-0 ($550 to $650/t). Prices remain steady this week.
• Straw: +/-0 ($250 to $300/t). Prices remain steady this week.
• Pasture hay: +/-0 ($250 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.

Bega Valley

• Thursday brought some rain to the region with Bega recording 13mm.
• 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 continual rain is helping grass growth in the region. Farmers are making the most of this growth and making as much silage for themselves as possible to reduce 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.
• It has been reported that canola available in the region from $400/t delivered locally.
• 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

• Since Thursday scattered rain has fallen over the Goulburn Valley region with Yarrawonga recording 10mm, Benalla 22mm, Echuca 8mm, Shepparton 14mm and Kyabram 12mm.
• The unsettled weather over the last week has prolonged the cut of summer crops and weather damaged some straw. Some farmers have welcomed this rain as it has allowed extended grazing time for grasses that would have dried off. 
• 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 $225 – $300/t on farm.
• It has been reported that vetch is available in the region for $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 $400 – $500/t on farm.
• It has been reported that there is rye grass available from $375/t on farm.
• Price changes have been noted this week.
• Cereal hay: +5 ($300 to $380/t). Prices have firmed 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: -33 ($310 to $400/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

• Scattered rain fell over Gippsland this week with Orbost recording 25mm, Sale 32mm, Bairnsdale 37mm, Yarram 24mm and Yanakie 10mm.
• The rain has allowed good grass growth for parts of the region. Farmers are making as much feed as they can for themselves with a lot of silage being made in the region.
• Demand has eased in the region. There is a lot of hay being carted into Gippsland from other parts of the state. Silage in the region is mostly for personal use with a little being sold. Canola that has been made correctly is testing well is and is good quality feed. Vetch available in the region is testing well.
• It has been reported there is some vetch available in the region from $480/t delivered locally.
• It has been reported there is some canola available in the region for $270-$325/t delivered locally.
• It has been reported that there is some silage available in the region from $100/bale 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

• Scattered rain fell in southwest Victoria this week with Warrnambool recording 15mm,
• Hamilton 19mm while Colac only recorded a couple of drizzly days. 
• Rain has held off hay making in southwest Victoria. Some hay has been left out in the rain but most of this does not appear to be too weather damaged.
• 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.
• Pasture hay prices have eased 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: -35 ($250 to $330/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.

Southeast South Australia

• Patchy rain fell in southeast South Australia this week with Mt Gambier recording 4mm, Keith 1mm while Padthaway and Naracoorte only recorded drizzle.
• The threat of showers has held off cutting and baling in the region with lots of hay ready to be made. 
• 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.
• There are no price changes noted this week.
• Cereal hay: +/-0 ($300 to $350/t). Prices remain steady this week.
• Lucerne hay: +/-0 ($500 to $550/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.
• 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 had rainfall this week with Kadina recording 5mm, Roseworthy 8mm, Clare 5mm.
• Farmers are waiting for the weather to clear so they can start harvesting grain. Many of these farmers will not be making straw this year as the crops are not thick enough for straw.
• Demand has eased in the region. 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 canola hay available in the region for $300-$350/t on farm.
• There are no price changes noted this week.
• Cereal hay: +/-0 ($300 to $350/t). Prices remain steady this week.
• Lucerne hay: +/-0 ($480 to $550/t). Prices remain steady this week.
• Straw: +/-0 ($180 to $230/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 Western Australia

• Light rain fell over southwest Western Australia this week with Bridgetown 3mm, and Busselton 1mm.
• Harvest is underway in Western Australia and farmers are starting to make straw.
• Demand remains steady. A lot of farmers have grown their own feed and it is postulated they are using this before buying any feed. There is limited carryover from previous seasons as most of this has moved to the eastern states.
• There are no price changes noted this week.
• Cereal hay: +/-0 ($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

• Rain fell in northwest Tasmania this week with Smithton recording 12mm while Devonport 11mm and Launceston 11mm.
• With the rains the grass has really started to grow. Farmers are busy making as much silage as they can.
• Demand for feed remains strong in Tasmania. Silage is being sold in the region with more coming onto the market.
• It has been reported silage is available in the region from $75/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.