Hay Report -29 March 2019

Northern Australia – Summary

• New season hay continues to be made in some parts of 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.
• Late rains have started to moisten the soil in parts of the region. While some farmers have started sewing crops there are many waiting for higher levels of soil moisture.  
• 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

• t was a wet week in the Atherton Tablelands with Walkamin recording rainfall everyday this week totalling 36mm.
• There is hay waiting to be made once there is a break in the weather.
• 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

• The Darling Downs received follow-up rain this week with Toowoomba recording 51mm.        
• The rain has been patchy in the region. Many farmers are holding back planting winter crops such as oats until there is more moisture in the soil. Sorghum stubble continues to be baled in the region.
• Demand is high 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, millet and corn 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: +/-0 ($550 to $600/t). Prices remain steady this week.
• Lucerne hay: +/-0 ($600 to $700/t). remain steady this week.
• Straw: +/-0 ($350 to $400/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.

North Coast NSW

• Patchy rain fell on north coast NSW this week with Lismore recording 4mm, Coffs Harbour 1mm and Grafton 26mm.
• North coast NSW is looking green. While the grass is growing the region is in need of more rain. Some farmers with irrigated tropical grasses have cut this week however dryland tropical grasses won’t be ready for another 3-4 weeks and will only get one cut. Farmers with failed soybean crops have been making these into silage. Some farmers in the region are sewing oats for the winter.
• Demand has eased slightly with the rain but remains very high and there is very limited supply available. There have been some failed crops turned into feed in the region and these vary greatly in cost and price 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.
• It has been reported that there is soybean silage on the market from $300/t (wet) on farm.
• No price changes have been noted this week.
• Cereal hay: +/-0 ($500 to $550/t). Prices remain steady this week.
• Lucerne hay: +/-0 ($600 to $700/t). Prices remain steady this week.
• Straw: +/-0 ($250 to $350/t). Prices remain steady this week.
• Pasture hay: +/-0 ($230 to $350/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

Central West NSW

• Scattered rain fell in central west NSW with Orange recording 31mm of rainfall, Dubbo 35mm, Cowra 34mm and Forbes 17mm. Strong winds were also reported.
• The rains have allowed some farmers in the region to sew oats and wheat for the winter.
• Demand continues to increase in the region, many farmers are putting in orders to make sure they are covered for winter. There is a high demand for roughage in the region but there is very little of this. Most hay in the region is already committed. 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.
• No price changes have been noted this week.
• Cereal hay: +/-0 ($450 to $500/t). remain steady this week.
• Lucerne hay: +/-0 ($550 to $600/t). Prices remain steady this week.
• Straw: +/-0 ($200 to $250/t). Prices reman steady 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

• No rain fell in Bega this week and strong winds were reported.
• The grass continues to grow in Bega, many farmers are anticipating another cut of silage.
• Demand is very quiet in Bega with farmers relying on their own feed. Enquiry for straw is starting to pick up in the region. Hay in the region has been carted in from Victoria however there is no demand for this. Prices for hay and straw 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

• Light scattered rain fell in the Goulburn Valley this week with regions such as Benalla recording 4mm of rainfall, and Yarrawonga 3mm, while regions such as Echuca, Shepparton and Kyabram only recorded light drizzle. 
• The region is very dry. Many farmers in the region are busy sewing grasses and irrigating.
• Demand continues to increase and hay is starting to move. Many farmers are enquiring about standing feed. Enquiry is coming from both inside and outside the region. There is very limited cereal and pasture hay in the region.
• It has been reported canola is available in the region from $300/t on farm.
• There are no price changes noted this week.
• Cereal hay: +/-0 ($350 to $380/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: +/-0 ($340 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.

Gippsland

• Light patchy rain fell in Gippsland this week with Bairnsdale recording 2mm of rainfall, Yarram 9mm, Yanakie 12mm while Sale only recorded drizzle and Orbost recorded none.  
• There are many farmers in the region that are dry sewing in preparation for an autumn break. A lot of farmers on irrigation have run out of water. Farmers are looking into alternatives such as almonds and orange rinds to mix with their feed.
• Demand continues to increase. 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 $400/t delivered locally.
• Cereal hay prices have firmed this week.
• Cereal hay: +38 ($430 to $450/t). Prices have firmed 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: +/-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.

Southwest Victoria

• Rain fell in southwest Victoria this week with Colac recording 13mm of rainfall and Warrnambool 16mm. Strong winds were also reported.     
• The rains have put a green tinge to parts of the region and with more rain forecast some farmers are anticipating that the grass will get going again.
• While local demand remains quiet, there is a lot of demand coming from outside the region, all along the eastern states. A lot of hay is moving north. 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: +43 ($350 to $385/t). Prices have firmed this week.
• Lucerne hay: -13 ($425 to $500/t). Prices have eased this week.
• Straw: +/-0 ($150 to $200/t). Prices remain steady this week.
• Pasture hay: +/-0 ($230 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

• Light rain fell in southeast South Australia with Mt Gambier recording 9mm of rainfall, Keith 3mm, Padthaway 4mm and Naracoorte 3mm.
• The region is very dry and brown. Farmers have been hand feeding for sometime now and are eating into their feed having to allocate higher amounts of feed for themselves.
• Demand is strong and largely coming for all across the eastern states. Hay is moving quickly from this region and a lot of hay in the sheds is now committed. Hay is being carted from the region to NSW, Victoria and Queensland. Pasture hay in the region is largely for personal use.
• Cereal and lucerne hay prices have firmed this week.
• Cereal hay: +15 ($300 to $330/t). Prices have firmed this week.
• Lucerne hay: +10 ($400 to $470/t). Prices have firmed this week.
• Straw: +/-0 ($130 to $170/t). Prices remain steady this week.
• Pasture hay: +/-0 ($220 to $300/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.

Central South Australia

• Light patchy rain fell in central South Australia with Kadina recording 1mm of rainfall, Maitland 3mm while Clare only recorded a light drizzle on Sunday.
• Central South Australia is very dry and in need of some rain.
• 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. A lot of hay in the region is now committed.  
• 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.
• No Price changes have been noted 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: +/-0 ($180 to $230/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.

Southwest Western Australia

• It was another dry week for parts of southwest Western Australia with no rainfall recorded.  
• Some farmers have had patches of rain over the last couple of weeks and there is some grass growth in parts of the region.
• 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

• Rain fell in north-west Tasmania this week with Marrawah recording 27mm of rainfall and Smithton 39mm. Strong winds were also reported.
• Northwest Tasmania have had their autumn break. The region is green and the grass is growing.
• Local demand is slow in north-west Tasmania however demand is starting to pick up in the south of the state. 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.
• Straw, Lucerne and pasture hay prices have eased this week.
• Cereal hay: +/-0 ($130 to $170/t) Prices remain steady this week.
• Lucerne hay: -50 ($250 to $300/t) Prices have eased this week.
• Straw: -10 ($80 to $130/t) Prices have eased this week.
• Pasture hay: -10 ($100 to $160/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.