Hay Report -15 March 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-emergencies/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.
• 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-emergencies/droughthub

Western Australia – Summary

• Western Australia is very dry and hand feeding is required in the region.
• There was a lot of high quality hay made this season and this is reflected in the high price for feed in the region.  
• 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 dry week in the Atherton Tablelands with Walkamin only recording drizzle on Monday.
• Farmers have been busy making hay this week. The threat of showers this weekend has slowed activity down.
• There is little local demand however there is a lot of demand coming from outside the region from towns such as Gatton.
• 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

• Rain fell in the Darling Downs with Tawoomba recording 5mm this week. Strong winds were also reported in the region.       
• The Darling Downs is in need of some rain. Farmers are trying to make the most out of failed crops and farmers are looking to alternative feeds.
• Demand has picked up in the Darling Downs. Supply of feed in the Darling Downs is limited with farmers sourcing feed from throughout the eastern states. Hay prices quoted are sourced from outside the region.
• It has been reported that there is some sorghum and millet available in the region from $360/t.
• It has been reported there is some sorghum stubble available in the region from $200/t on farm.
• It has been reported that there is corn silage available in the region from $120/t
• It has been reported that there is sorghum silage on the market from $100/t.
• No price changes have been noted this week.
• Cereal hay: +75 ($550 to $600/t). Prices have firmed this week.
• Lucerne hay: +35 ($600 to $700/t). Prices have firmed this week.
• Straw: +100 ($350 to $400/t). Prices have firmed this week.
• Pasture hay: +150 ($400 to $500/t) Prices have firmed this week.
• Please note unless stated otherwise, prices are per tonne, sourced and 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 on north coast NSW this week with Lismore recording 64mm, Coffs Harbour 26mm and Grafton 4mm.
• Rain has helped some tropical grasses in the region but a lot more rain is needed. Some farmers in the region are running out of water. There is a little bit of rough pasture hay being made in the region as well as irrigated pastures. Some farmers have planted early oats this week.
• Demand is still very high and there is very limited supply available. There is a little bit of pasture hay in the region however most of this is spoken for. Lucerne, cereal hay and straw are being cared into the region from Victoria and South Australia. Cereal hay, Lucerne and straw prices are sourced from outside the region.
• Price changes have been noted this week.
• Cereal hay: +75 ($500 to $550/t). Prices have firmed this week.
• Lucerne hay: +25 ($600 to $700/t). Prices have firmed this week.
• Straw: +/-0 ($250 to $350/t). Prices remain steady this week.
• Pasture hay: -20 ($230 to $350/t). Prices have eased this week.
• Please note unless stated otherwise, prices are per tonne, sourced and 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.
• 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-emergencies/droughthub

Central West NSW

• It was a hot dry week in central west NSW with no rainfall recorded in the region.
• A lot of farmers in the region have finished watering their Lucerne early and will have one less cut this season.
• Demand has picked up in the region. Hay is becoming difficult to source. There is limited Lucerne and straw left in the region, cereal hay and pasture hay are being sourced from outside central west NSW largely coming from Victoria. Cereal hay, pasture hay and straw prices have been sourced from outside the region.
• Price changes have been noted this week.
• Cereal hay: +50 ($450 to $500/t). Prices have firmed this week.
• Lucerne hay: +50 ($550 to $600/t). Prices have firmed this week.
• Straw: -25 ($200 to $250/t). Prices have eased this week.
• Pasture hay: +/-0 ($300 to $400/t). Prices remain steady this week.
• Please note unless stated otherwise, prices are per tonne, sourced and 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.
• 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-emergencies/droughthub

Bega Valley

• Bega received 2mm of rainfall on Saturday.
• Bega is just starting to brown off. It has been a good season and farmers in the region are making the last of their silage. Rain is forecast for the weekend and farmers are preparing to sew crops.
• Demand is very quiet in Bega with farmers relying on their own feed. Hay in the region has been carted in from Victoria however there is no demand for this. Prices for hay are sourced outside the region.  
• 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, sourced and 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.
• 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-emergencies/droughthub

Goulburn/Murray Valley

• It was another dry week in the Goulburn Valley with no rainfall recorded. 
• Farmers in the region have started to irrigate their pasture hay. Due to the high costs of water farmers are deciding on the amount of water they will purchase and how much they will irrigate their crops.
• Demand has started to pick up and hay is starting to move. Enquiry is coming from both inside and outside the region. There is very limited cereal and pasture hay 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.
• Pasture hay prices have firmed this week.
• Cereal hay: +/-0 ($320 to $370/t). Prices remain steady this week.
• Lucerne hay: +/-0 ($500 to $570/t). Prices remain steady this week
• Straw: +/-0 ($130 to $190/t). Prices remain steady this week.
• Pasture hay: +55 ($300 to $350/t). Prices have firmed this week.
• Please note unless stated otherwise, prices are per tonne, sourced and 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

• Light scattered rain fell over Gippsland this week. Some parts of the region only received a light drizzle while areas such as Yarram received 2mm.    
• Gippsland is very dry and in need of some rain. Many farmers in the MID have run out of their water allocations. Most maize crops have failed in the region and many sorghum and millet crops will end early.
• Demand is starting to pick up in the region. There is pasture hay coming from the south of the region however most of this has been moved. Pasture hay in Gippsland is of varying quality with a lot of low grade hay being moved in the region. It is postulated that there will not be enough feed in Gippsland this season. There is a lot of canola and cereal hay being carted into Gippsland from other parts of the state. Canola that has been made correctly is testing well is and is good quality feed. Cereal hay, and straw are priced from sources outside the region.
• It has been reported there is some canola available in the region from $320-$410/t delivered locally.
• Price changes have been noted this week.
• Cereal hay: -25 ($380 to $430/t). Prices have eased this week.
• Lucerne hay: +/-0 ($520 to $570/t). Prices remain steady this week.
• Straw: +/-0 ($200 to $250/t). Prices remain steady this week.
• Pasture hay: +30 ($300 to $400/t). Prices have firmed this week.
• Please note unless stated otherwise, prices are per tonne, sourced and 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 6mm and Colac recording 2mm.    
• The region is dry and in need of some good rainfall. Summer crops are still looking healthy.
• Demand has increased coming from all over the eastern states. A lot of hay is moving north however local demand has also started to pick up. Hay in this region is also being purchased from nearby regions such as the Wimmera. Lucerne hay is being sourced and priced from southeast South Australia.
• It has been reported there is canola available in the region for $300 – $350/t delivered locally.
• Price changes have been noted this week.
• Cereal hay: +25 ($300 to $350/t). Prices have firmed this week.
• Lucerne hay: +10 ($450 to $500/t). Prices have firmed this week.
• Straw: +/-0 ($150 to $200/t). Prices remain steady this week.
• Pasture hay: +/-0 ($220 to $280/t). Prices remain steady this week.
• Please note unless stated otherwise, prices are per tonne, sourced and 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 this week with Mt Gambier recording 10mm, Keith 2mm, Padthaway 9mm and Naracoorte 6mm.
• Rain in the region has done little to wet the soil and has been more of a hindrance. The region is very dry and in need of some good rainfall.
• External demand has picked up in the region. Hay is being carted from the region to NSW, Victoria and Queensland. Pasture hay in the region is largely for personal use.
• Price changes have been noted this week.
• Cereal hay: +10 ($270 to $330/t). Prices have firmed this week.
• Lucerne hay: +/-0 ($360 to $430/t). Prices remain steady this week.
• Straw: +/-0 ($130 to $170/t). Prices remain steady this week.
• Pasture hay: -20 ($220 to $300/t). Prices have eased this week.
• Please note unless stated otherwise, prices are per tonne, sourced and 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

• It was another dry week in central South Australia with no rainfall recorded.
• Central South Australia is extremely dry and in need of some rain. Crops that have been planted are failing and a lot of farmers are running out of water.
• Demand is strong 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. Pea hay has been testing well and is high in protein. 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.
• It has been reported that there is pea hay available in the region for $350-$400/t on farm.
• Straw prices have firmed this week.
• Cereal hay: +/-0 ($320 to $370/t). Prices remain steady this week.
• Lucerne hay: +/-0 ($420 to $500/t). Prices remain steady this week.
• Straw: +15 ($180 to $230/t). Prices have firmed this week.
• Please note unless stated otherwise, prices are per tonne, sourced and 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

• Rain fell in southwest Western Australia this week with Busselton recording 21mm of rainfall and Bridgetown 37mm. 
• Southwest Western Australia welcomed the rain, however much more is needed. Some farmers in the region sewed some early crops such as vetch hopeful for follow-up rain.
• The demand for feed has started to pick up. Some farmers are trying to secure feed supplies. There is limited carryover from previous seasons as most of this has moved to the eastern states.
• No price changes have been noted this week.
• Cereal hay: +/-0 ($300 to $380/t). Prices remain steady this week.
• Lucerne hay: +/-$0 ($450 to $490). Prices remain steady this week.
• Straw: +/-0 ($130 to 180/t). Prices remain steady this week.
• Pasture hay: +/-0 ($240 to $280/t). Prices remain steady this week.
• Please note unless stated otherwise, prices are per tonne, sourced and 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

• Scattered rain fell in northwest Tasmania this week with Marrawah recording 8mm of rainfall, Smithton 6mm while Devonport and Launceston recorded none.
• There is still a green tinge to the region however rain is needed.
• Demand is slow in north-west Tasmania. 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 prices have firmed this week.
• Cereal hay: +5 ($130 to $170/t) Prices have firmed this week.
• Lucerne hay: +/-0 ($300 to $350/t) Prices remain steady this week.
• Straw: +/-0 ($80 to $150/t) Prices remain steady this week.
• Pasture hay: +/-0 ($100 to $160/t) Prices remain steady this week.
• Please note unless stated otherwise, prices are per tonne, sourced and 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.