Hay Report -18 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 drawing to a close in Western Australia. Yields in the region have been mixed but for many it has been an above average season.  
• 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

• Rain fell in the Atherton Tablelands this week with Walkamin recording 40mm.
• Farmers in the region are making the most of the rains and planting summer crops.
• 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 was another hot dry week in the Darling Downs with no rainfall recorded.    
• The Darling Downs is brown and dry. Most summer crops have failed. Farmers who are able to are trying to recover their costs and turning these failed crops into silage.
• Demand in the region is strong. 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
• Straw prices have firmed this week.
• Cereal hay: +/-0 ($430 to $530/t). Prices remain steady this week.
• Lucerne hay: +/-0 ($500 to $600/t). Prices remain steady this week.
• Straw: +40 ($300 to $330/t). Prices have firmed 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 another hot dry week in north coast NSW with no rainfall recorded. 
• North coast NSW is dry and in need of rain. There are not many summer crops that have been planted. Grasses such as Rhodes grass and tropical grasses are being affected and there will not be much of this.
• Demand is strong in the region as it is unusually dry. Lucerne and straw in the region is sourced elsewhere. There is a limited supply of feed in the region.
• Cereal hay prices have firmed this week.
• Cereal hay: +15 ($360 to $400/t). Prices have firmed 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

• Patchy rain fell in central west NSW with Orange recording 13mm, Cowra 24mm, Dubbo 2mm and Forbes 3mm. 
• The region remains mostly dry. Around Orange and Bathurst there is a little green relief. Farmers continue to be busy making Lucerne.
• Demand remains steady. There is a lot of Lucerne coming onto the market in the region however there is limited supply of other feed. Feed is being carted into the area from across the eastern states.
• Straw, cereal and Lucerne hay price have eased this week.
• Cereal hay: -25 ($400 to $500/t). Prices have eased this week.
• Lucerne hay: -25 ($450 to $550/t). Prices have eased this week.
• Straw: -30 ($160 to $230/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

• Light rain fell on Bega this week with the region recording 5mm.
• The little rain has kept some moisture in the top soils and allowed farmers in the region to continue to make their own feed.
• 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

• It was a very hot dry week in the Goulburn Valley region.
• Straw making is finishing up in the region. Farmers are still making lucerene and are deciding whether to continue making this due to the high water prices. There is some millet and sourgham hay being made in the region however this is largely for personal use and not much of this is going on the market.
• Demand has picked up in the region. There is limited cereal and pasture hay available in the region. There is competition from southwest Victoria and hay is being moved into the region. 
• It has been reported canola is available in the region for $250 – $300/t on farm.
• Price changes have been noted this week.
• Cereal hay: +/-0 ($350 to $380/t). Prices remain steady this week.
• Lucerne hay: +85 ($530 to $570/t). Prices have firmed this week
• Straw: +/-0 ($150 to $200/t). Prices remain steady this week.
• Pasture hay: -30 ($250 to $425/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.

Gippsland

• It was a hot dry week in Gippsland with no rainfall recorded. 
• Gippsland is dry, with the south of the region now browning off. Some farmers with irrigation are making silage with summer crops such as sourgham and millet.
• 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 from $300-$400/t delivered locally.
• It has been reported that there is some silage available in the region from $100/bale on farm.
• Price changes have been noted this week.
• Cereal hay: -25 ($350 to $480/t). Prices have eased 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: +10 ($180 to $390/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

• It was another hot dry week in southwest Victoria with no rainfall recorded.   
• Hay making in the region has come to a close. Yields in the region are good and farmers in the region have made a lot of feed for themselves.
• 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. Lucerne hay is being sourced from southeast South Australia.
• It has been reported there is canola available in the region for $300 – $350/t delivered locally.
• Lucerne hay prices have eased this week.
• Cereal hay: +/-0 ($250 to $330/t). Prices remain steady this week.
• Lucerne hay: -25 ($400 to $450/t). Prices have eased 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

• It was a hot dry week in southeast South Australia with no rainfall recorded. 
• Farmers in the region continue to be busy making hay.  
• Demand remains slow in the region. Locally there is a lot of green growth and there is not a high need for feed.
• Price changes have been noted this week.
• Cereal hay: -25 ($230 to $330/t). Prices have eased this week.
• Lucerne hay: -70 ($360 to $430/t). Prices have eased this week.
• Straw: -15 ($130 to $220/t). Prices have eased this week.
• Pasture hay: +/-0 ($260 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.

Central South Australia

• It was another dry hot week in central South Australia with no rainfall recorded.
• The region is dry and brown. Farmers have started hand feeding stock.
• 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 limited feed available in the region.
• It has been reported that there is canola hay available in the region for $300-$350/t on farm.
• Cereal and Lucerne hay have prices have firmed this week.
• Cereal hay: +10 ($320 to $350/t). Prices have firmed this week.
• Lucerne hay: +10 ($420 to $500/t). Prices have firmed 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 another dry week in southwest Western Australia. 
• The region is very dry and is browning off. 
• 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($200 to $280/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

• It was a dry hot week in northwest Tasmania with no rainfall recorded.
• The region is starting to dry as it has been hot and there has been little rain. Rhodes grass is starting to be harvested and baled in the region.
• Demand is slow in the region. There is a lot of feed on the market. The south east of Tasmania remains dry and it is anticipated that this part of the region will have a high need for feed this season.
• It has been reported silage is available in the region from $50/bale on farm.
• Cereal hay, Lucerne and straw prices have eased this week.
• Cereal hay: -170 ($100 to $160/t) Prices have eased this week.
• Lucerne hay: +/-0 ($300 to $350/t) Prices remain steady this week.
• Straw: -10 ($80 to $100/t) Prices have eased this week.
• Pasture hay: -65 ($90 to $120/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.