Hay Report – 26 April 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 started to moisten the soil in parts of the region, for some this is already drying out. Farmers in the region are busy sewing winter crops such as oats, wheat and barley.
• 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.
• Farmers in the region are getting ready to start sewing crops such as wheat, oats and barley.
• 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.
• Crops have started to be sewn 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

• Saturday and Wednesday brought drizzle to the Atherton Tablelands.  
• Some hay that was cut has been rained on and is now being turned into mulch. There is a lot of hay ready to be made once the weather clears.
• 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 this week with Toowoomba recording 11mm.    
• Rain in the Darling Downs has been patchy. The region is green on top but is is dry and crops that have come up are in need of some rain. Most farmers in the region are out of irrigation water.
• Demand remains high however has eased a little. 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.
• Cereal hay prices have firmed this week.
• Cereal hay: +10 ($550 to $575/t). Prices have firmed 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

• Scattered rain fell on north coast NSW this week with Lismore recording 23mm, Coffs Harbour 69mm and Grafton 24mm.
• There is sorghum, millet and some tropical grasses ready to be made into feed once the weather clears. The rain is helping dam water levels, rye grasses and early oats.
• Demand has eased in the region and there is limited supply available. There have been some failed crops turned into feed in the region and these vary greatly in 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.
• There are no price changes 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 ($200 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

• Light patchy rain fell in central west NSW this week with Cowra recording 3mm while Orange, Dubbo and Forbes recorded none.
• Central west NSW is drying off. Many of the oats that have been sewn have come up but are in need of rain. There aren’t many farmers dry sewing and a lot of farmers have run out of irrigation water.
• Demand is very strong in the region. 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.
• It has been reported there is forage sorghum available from $400/t on farm.
• It has been reported there is clover being delivered to the region from $450/t.
• It Has been reported there is canola being delivered to the region from $400/t.
• T has been reported that there is corn stubble being delivered to the region from $250/t.
• Straw and Lucerne prices have firmed this week.
• Cereal hay: +38 ($475 to $550/t). Prices have firmed this week.
• Lucerne hay: +/-0 ($550 to $650/t). Prices remain steady this week.
• Straw: +/-0($280 to $320/t). Prices remain steady this week.
• Pasture hay: +/-0 ($350 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

• here were a couple of drizzly days in Bega this week but no substantial rainfall recorded.
• Bega remains green and the grass continues to grow. Some farmers are feeding out a little bit of silage.
• Demand is very quiet in Bega with farmers relying on their own feed. Farmers in the region have made a lot of silage for themselves. Enquiry for straw is starting to pick up in the region. The prices quoted are for hay and straw to be carted into 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

• Scattered rain fell in the Goulburn Valley this week with Shepparton recording 4mm, Benalla 15mm, Yarrawonga 7mm, while Echuca and Kyabram only recorded a light drizzle.
• Many dryland farmers have dry sewn canola and barley. There is a high demand for oatseed in the region with farmers looking to sew dual purpose crops. Some farmers getting ready to start sewing wheat.
• Demand for feed is strong in the region and supply is limited. Many farmers in the region are only servicing existing customers. A lot of the hay that is now moving is lowgrade. There is a lot of hay being carted into and out of the region.
• It has been reported canola is available in the region from $300/t on farm.
• Price changes are noted this week.
• Cereal hay: +30 ($380 to $440/t). Prices have firmed this week.
• Lucerne hay: +25($550 to $570/t). Prices have firmed this week
• Straw: +10 ($150 to $190/t). Prices have firmed this week.
• Pasture hay: +45 ($400 to $450/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 patchy rain fell in Gippsland this week with Yarram recording 5mm, Yanakie 5mm, Orbost 2mm, while Bairnsdale and Sale only recorded drizzle.  
• Autumn calving has started in the region. The MID water levels are low and it is likely the region will be out of irrigation water in may. Farmers are looking to source alternative feed options such as oranges, orange rinds, grape mart and expired goods.
• Demand is very strong and continues to increase. Supply is limited with feed being sourced from outside the region. There is a high demand for cereal hay but this is increasingly difficult to source. There is pasture hay coming from the south of the region however there is limited supply left of this. 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 being delivered to the region from $420/t.
• It has been reported that there is corn stubble being delivered to the region from $160/t.
• Cereal hay prices have firmed this week.
• Cereal hay: +13 ($435 to $475/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

• It was a dry week in southwest Victoria. Light drizzle was recorded in parts of the region however this was not wide spread.
• Southwest Victoria is in need of some rain. The region remains green but is going backwards.
• Demand is really strong and supply is limited. It is becoming increasingly difficult to source quality feed. Most pasture hay in the region is not being sold and is for personal use. Hay and straw is being carted into the region from the Wimmera/Mallee region. 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.
• Straw prices have firmed this week.
• Cereal hay: +/-0 ($350 to $385/t). Prices remain steady this week.
• Lucerne hay: +/-0 ($425 to $500/t). Prices remain steady this week.
• Straw: +15 ($180 to $200/t). Prices have firmed this week.
• Pasture hay: +/-0 ($260 to $320/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 2mm of rainfall, Keith 1mm, Padthaway 1mm while Naracoorte only recorded a drizzle.
• Farmers in the region are getting ready to sew. There is still stubble preparation and burning to occur however with fire restrictions in place this is limiting the preparation.
• Demand is very strong and continues to increase coming from both within and outside the region. Hay is moving quickly and a lot of hay in the sheds is now committed. Hay supplies in the region are limited. 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: +50 ($350 to $380/t). Prices have firmed this week.
• Lucerne hay: +40 ($450 to $500/t). Prices have firmed this week.
• Straw: +5 ($140 to $170/t). Prices have firmed this week.
• Pasture hay: +45 ($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.

Central South Australia

• Light rain fell in central South Australia with Kadina recording 4mm, Clare 2mm of rainfall, while Maitland recorded 3mm.
• The region is extremely dry and there is no rain forecast for the next couple of weeks. Farmers in the region are preparing for dry seeding.
• Demand in the region is very strong coming from both within and outside the region. Supplies are limited with most feed now spoken for. 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.
• It has been reported that there is canola hay available in the region for $300-$350/t on farm.
• No price changes have been noted this week.
• Cereal hay: +/-0 ($350 to $410/t). remain steady this week.
• Lucerne hay: +/-0 ($480 to $550/t). Prices remain steady this week.
• Straw: +/-0 ($200 to $250/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

• Scattered rain fell in southwest Western Australia with Busselton recording 14mm and 38mm
• Farmers have welcomed the rains but much more is needed and the region remains dry.
• Demand is steady in southwest Western Australia with 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

• Northwest Tasmania has received some light patchy rain following last Thursdays rainfall with Marrawah recording 5mm of rain this week while Smithton only received drizzle.
• Northwest Tasmania is green and the grass continues to grow. The east coast of the state remains dry and it is anticipated there will be a high need for feed in this part of the state.
• 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.
• No price changes have been noted this week.
• Cereal hay: +/-0 ($130 to $170/t) Prices remain steady this week.
• Lucerne hay: +/-0 ($250 to $300/t) Prices remain steady this week.
• Straw: +/-0 ($80 to $130/t) Prices remain steady this week.
• Pasture hay: +/-0 ($100 to $140/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.