Hay Report -1 February 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.
• 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

• It was a wet week in the Atherton Tablelands with Walkamin recording 200mm of rainfall.
• The rain is holding off farm activities, with more rain predicted. There is hay to be made once the weather clears.
• Demand is steady in the region. There is external demand coming from south of the region from areas such as Brisbane.
• 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 hot and dry in the Darling Downs this week with Toowoomba only recording 2mm over the week.    
• With most summer crops failed farmers are trying to make whatever feed they can. 
• 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 sorghum and millet available in the region for $360/t
• Price changes have been noted this week.
• Cereal hay: +20 ($450 to $550/t). Prices have firmed this week.
• Lucerne hay: +65($580 to $650/t). Prices have firmed this week.
• Straw: -40 ($220 to $330/t). Prices have eased this week.
• Pasture hay: +25 ($250 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.

North Coast NSW

• Light rain fell in north coast NSW last Wednesday with Lismore recording 3mm, Grafton 2mm and Coffs Harbour 1mm. Since then there has been no rainfall.  
• The region is in need of rain. It has browned off and springs are starting to dry up. Summer crops are failing and tropical grasses are not growing.
• Demand is strong in the region as it is unusually dry. There is a limited supply of feed in the region. Farmers are sourcing feed from Victoria and South Australia.
• No price changes have been noted this week.
• Cereal hay: +/-0 ($360 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

• Patchy rain fell in central west NSW with Orange recording 15mm, Cowra 3mm, Forbes 5mm, while Dubbo recorded none.
• Most of the region remains extremely dry. Irrigated crops continue to be cut, however many farmers in the region have run out of water.
• Demand remains steady. There is limited feed available in the region. Feed is being carted into the area from across the eastern states.
• Cereal and Lucerne hay price have firmed this week.
• Cereal hay: +/-0 ($400 to $500/t). remain steady this week.
• Lucerne hay: +25 ($500 to $550/t). Prices have firmed this week.
• Straw: +55 ($200 to $300/t). Prices have firmed 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

• Rain fell on Bega this week with the region recording 9mm.
• Rain is helping keep the region green, however there is only moisture in the top soil.
• 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 hot week in the Goulburn Valley. Light scattered rain fell in the region with Echuca recording 2mm, Benalla 3mm, Yarrawonga 3mm, Kyabram 1mm and Shepparton none.  
• A lot of farmers in the region have decided not to continue watering summer crops due to the high water costs. Farmers who put in summer crops for personal use continue to water these crops.
• 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.
• No price changes have been noted this week.
• Cereal hay: +/-0 ($350 to $380/t). Prices remain steady this week.
• Lucerne hay: +/-0 ($530 to $570/t). Prices remain steady this week
• Straw: +/-0 ($150 to $200/t). Prices remain steady this week.
• Pasture hay: +/-0 ($250 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

• It was a hot week in Gippsland, with most of the region recording its hottest day of the month. Light scattered rain fell with Orbost recording 6mm, Bairnsdale 6mm, Sale 11mm, Yarram 2mm while Yanakie recorded none.  
• Gippsland is very dry. The south of the region has dried off and there is little grass growth in the region. There is concern that there may be an issue with stock water this year as many rivers, creeks and dams are dry.
• 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.
• Pasture hay prices have firmed this week.
• Cereal hay: +/-0 ($350 to $480/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: +15 ($210 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.   
• Southwest Victoria is drying off. Farmers in the region are hand feeding their stock.
• Demand has picked up coming from all over the eastern states. 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.
• Cereal and lucerne hay prices have firmed this week.
• Cereal hay: +13 ($275 to $330/t). Prices have firmed this week.
• Lucerne hay: +40 ($430 to $500/t). Prices have firmed 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 another hot dry week in southeast South Australia with no rainfall recorded. Most of the region recorded its hottest day for the month. 
• Southeast South Australia is dry and has browned off. Harvest is finishing up for the season as is straw making.
• 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: +20 ($270 to $330/t). Prices have firmed this week.
• Lucerne hay: +15 ($390 to $430/t). Prices have firmed this week.
• Straw: +/-0 ($130 to $220/t). Prices remain steady 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 hot dry week in central South Australia with most of the region recording its hottest day of the year.
• It is pretty quiet on the farm in central South Australia, farmers are keeping themselves busy with general maintenance, spraying and spreading.
• Demand is starting to pick up 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 ($300 to $350/t). Prices have eased 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

• Patchy rain fell in southwest Western Australia last Wednesday and Thursday with Bussleton recording 21mm and Bridgetown recording 6mm. Since then there has been no rainfall recorded.
• Farmers are keeping busy with maintenance around the farm. 
• 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 another dry hot week in northwest Tasmania with no rainfall recorded.
• Farmers are busy finishing up baling.
• 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 and pasture hay prices have firmed this week.
• Cereal hay: +35 ($150 to $180/t) Prices have firmed this week.
• Lucerne hay: +/-0 ($300 to $350/t) Prices remain steady this week.
• Straw: +/-0 ($80 to $100/t) Prices remain steady this week.
• Pasture hay: +5 ($100 to $120/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.