Hay Report – 4 January 2019

Northern Australia – Summary

• New season hay is being made in the region and is on the market. Supply is limited with a lot of hay being carted into the region from the southern parts of the nation.
• High temperatures for parts of the region have dried soils and affected summer crops and grass growth.
• 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 continues to offer 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 https://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.
• Late rains have moistened soils and allowed grass growth for parts of southern Australia.
• The Government continues to offer 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 https://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 wet week in the Atherton Tablelands with 78mm of rainfall recorded this week. There is the threat of a potential cyclone to reach the region.
• The rain has really helped crops and grass growth in the region. Farmers are ready to make hay when there is a break in the weather.
• Demand has slowed in the region, it is postulated this is due to the growth in the region and the decreased need for feed.
• 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 has been a hot dry week in the Darling Downs.   
• The Darling Downs is very dry. Many of the sourgham and millet crops that were planted have failed. Irrigated Lucerne is being made in the region and farmers who have
• Demand in the region is steady. Supply of feed in the Darling Downs is limited with farmers sourcing feed from throughout the eastern states.
• It has been reported that there is some sourgham and millet available in the region for $360/t
• Cereal hay prices have firmed this week.
• Cereal hay: +30 ($430 to $530/t). Prices have firmed this week.
• Lucerne hay: +/-0 ($500 to $600/t). Prices remain steady this week.
• Straw: +/-0 ($250 to $300/t). Prices remain steady this week.
• Pasture hay: +/-0 ($250 to $300/t) Prices remain steady this week.
• Please note unless stated otherwise, prices are per tonne, delivered and sourced 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

• It was a hot dry week in north coast NSW with no rainfall recorded. 
• The region is starting to dry out and is in need of some rain. There is some hay to be made in the area but due to the lack of summer rains there is not a lot of this.
• Local demand is increasing in the region and it is postulated this is due to the dry conditions.  
• There are no price changes noted this week.
• Cereal hay: +/-0 ($330 to $400/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 ($250 to $300/t). Prices remain steady this week.
• Please note unless stated otherwise, prices are per tonne, delivered and sourced 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.
• The Government continues to offer 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 https://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/climate-and-emergancies/droughthub

Central West NSW

• It was a hot dry week in central west NSW with no rainfall recorded in the region. Temperatures this week have been in the 40s and it is predicted that this hot weather will continue into next week. 
• The hot weather has taken the moisture out of the soil. Crops on irrigation are struggling to grow in the heat and dryland crops are looking to fail with farmers putting stock on these. Straw is being baled in the region and yields are low.
• Demand has picked up in the region and there is little feed in the area. Feed is being carted into the area across the eastern states.
• Price changes have been noted this week.
• Cereal hay: +50 ($450 to $500/t). Prices have firmed this week.
• Lucerne hay: +/-0 ($500 to $550/t). Prices remain steady this week.
• Straw: -60 ($180 to $250/t). Prices have eased this week.
• Pasture hay: +/-0 ($250 to $350/t). Prices remain steady this week.
• Please note unless stated otherwise, prices are per tonne, delivered and sourced 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.
• The Government continues to offer 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 https://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/climate-and-emergancies/droughthub

Bega Valley

• Bega received light rain on Tuesday with 2mm recorded in the region.
• Farmers in Bega are busy making as much silage as they can. The soil is starting to dry out from the heat and wind.
• Demand is slow. 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 $500/t). Prices remain steady this week.
• Please note unless stated otherwise, prices are per tonne, delivered and sourced 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.
• The Government continues to offer 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 https://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/climate-and-emergancies/droughthub

Goulburn/Murray Valley

• Scattered rain fell in the Goulburn Valley region this week with Benalla recording 12mm, Yarrawonga 2mm, Shepparton and Kyabram both recording 1mm and Echuca recording none.
• Farmers in the region are busy making straw, Lucerne and other summer crops such as sourgham and millet.
• Demand remains slow in the region. Some farmers in the region are actively trying to move their canola hay. Canola that has been made correctly is testing well and is good quality feed, canola hay not made correctly will have high nitrogen levels and will need to be blended.
• It has been reported canola is available in the region for $225 – $300/t on farm.
• Lucerne hay prices have eased this week.
• Cereal hay: +/-0 ($350 to $380/t). Prices remain steady this week.
• Lucerne hay: -93 ($430 to $500/t). Prices have eased this week
• Straw: +/-0 ($150 to $200/t). Prices remain steady this week.
• Pasture hay: +/-0 ($310 to $425/t). Prices remain steady this week.
• Please note unless stated otherwise, prices are per tonne, delivered and sourced 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

• Patchy rain fell in Gippsland this week with Orbost recording 4mm, Bairnsdale 5mm, Sale 3mm, Yarram 4mm and Yanakie 14mm.
• Farmers are busy making hay in Gippsland this week. Silage is being made from early sourgham and millet. Yields for crops on irrigation are about 75%, while most dry land areas have not been able to produce any feed. The MID did not have its water allocation re-set this year.
• Demand is steady in the region. There is a lot of hay being carted into Gippsland from other parts of the state.  It is postulated that there will not be enough feed in Gippsland this season. 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.
• It has been reported there is some canola available in the region for $270-$400/t delivered locally.
• It has been reported that there is some silage available in the region from $100/bale on farm.
• Cereal and pasture hay prices have firmed this week.
• Cereal hay: +5 ($400 to $480/t). Prices have firmed 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: +38 ($300 to $350/t). Prices have firmed this week.
• Please note unless stated otherwise, prices are per tonne, delivered and sourced 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

• Light rain fell in southwest Victoria this week with Colac recording 4mm and Warrnambool 1mm.  
• Farmers in the region are still busy making hay. It has been a good season and yields look good for many farmers in the region.
• Demand is quiet 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. Hay in this region is also being purchased from nearby regions such as the Wimmera.
• It has been reported there is canola available in the region for $300 – $350/t delivered locally.
• No price changes have been noted this week.
• Cereal hay: +/-0 ($250 to $330/t). Prices remain steady this week.
• Lucerne hay: +/-0 ($400 to $500/t). Prices remain steady this week.
• Straw: +/-0 ($160 to $200/t). Prices remain steady this week.
• Pasture hay: +/-0 ($230 to $300/t). Prices remain steady this week.
• Please note unless stated otherwise, prices are per tonne, delivered and sourced 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 Keith recording 15mm, Padthaway 48mm, Naracoorte 39mm and Mt Gambier 53mm.
• Farmers have been making the most of the break in the weather and are busy baling in the region.
• Demand remains slow in the region. Locally there is a lot of green growth and there is not a high need for feed.
• Pasture hay prices have eased this week.
• Cereal hay: +/-0 ($250 to $330/t). Prices remain steady this week.
• Lucerne hay: +/-0 ($430 to $550/t). Prices remain steady this week.
• Straw: +/-0 ($160 to $180/t). Prices remain steady this week.
• Pasture hay: -10 ($230 to $300/t). Prices have eased this week.
• Please note unless stated otherwise, prices are per tonne, delivered and sourced 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

• Light rain fell in central South Australia this week with Kadina recording 1mm, Roseworthy 1mm and Clare 2mm.
• The region has dried out and things are looking pretty brown, however this is not unusual for the time of year. A lot of people have chosen not to make straw.
• Demand remains steady in the region. It has been reported that stock area 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 that there is canola hay available in the region for $300-$350/t on farm.
• Lucerne prices have eased this week.
• Cereal hay: +/-0 ($290 to $350/t). Prices remain steady this week.
• Lucerne hay: -35 ($420 to $480/t). Prices have eased this week.
• Straw: +/-0 ($160 to $250/t). Prices remain steady this week.
• Please note unless stated otherwise, prices are per tonne, delivered and sourced 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

• It was hot dry week in southwest Western Australia. 
• Farmers are making the most of the hot dry weather and finishing off making straw.
• The domestic demand for hay remains quiet. 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 remain steady this week.
• Lucerne hay: +/-$0 ($450 to $490). Prices remain steady this week.
• Straw: +/-0 ($100 to 160/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 and sourced 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

• Light rain fell in north-west Tasmania this week with Smithton recording 2mm, Marrawah 4mm, Devonport 2mm and Launceston 5mm.
• Farmers are busy this week making hay.
• Demand has eased in the region and there is a lot of new season pasture hay coming onto the market.
• It has been reported silage is available in the region from $75/bale on farm.
• There are no price changes noted this week.
• Cereal hay: +/-0 ($275 to $325/t) Prices remain steady this week.
• Lucerne hay: +/-0 ($300 to $350/t) Prices remain steady this week.
• Straw: +/-0 ($80 to $120/t) Prices remain steady this week.
• Pasture hay: +/-$0 ($140 to $200/t) Prices remain steady this week.
• Please note unless stated otherwise, prices are per tonne, delivered and sourced 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.