Hay Report – 19 July 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 moistened soils and this allowed many farmers to sow crops. With the lack of follow-up rain in many of these regions these crops are struggling.
• Sowing percentages are down this season with many farmes not sowing crops.
• 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^stJanuary 2018. For more information and to apply please visit https://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/climate-and-emergencies/droughthub

Southern Australia – Summary

• This seasons hay is limited in supply and there is limited carryover from 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. 
• Securing long term, reliable supplies of quality hay may well be an issue for parts of the south.
• Late rains moistened soils and provided an autumn break for farmers in parts of the south of the nation. Some regions in the south have missed out on these rains and sowing percentages are down in these parts of the nation.
• There are farmers who have sown dual purpose crops rather than their usual rotations for next season. 
• Next seasons crops have germinated in parts of the region. These crops are currently looking healthy in parts of the region that experienced their autumn break.
• 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^stJanuary 2018. For more information and to apply please visit https://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/climate-and-emergencies/droughthub

Western Australia – Summary

• Next seasons crops have germinated, and it is currently looking to be another good season.
• There was a lot of high quality hay made this season and this is reflected in the high price for feed in the region.  
• Hay supplies are tight in Western Australia.
• 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

• The sun has been shiniing in the Atherton Tablelands this week with Monday being the only drizzly day in the region.
• Farmers in the region have been making the most of the fine weather and making hay.
• Demand for hay is strong both locally and externally. Hay supplies are limited and are moving fast. A lot of the hay being made is already committed. 
• 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 has been a dry week in the Darling Downs with no rainfall recorded.
• Many crops in the region are dying and are too short to put stock on. There are a few crops in the region that have had little bits of rain keeping them going but these small pockets are few. 
• Demand for hay remains steady in the Darling Downs and there is limited supply available. Sorghum stubble is being sold in the region and there are sugar cane tops moving into the region from the Bundaberg/MacKay region, most of this is already committed. Farmers in the region are 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 that there is some sorghum silage available in the region from $90/bale on farm.
• It has been reported that there is some corn silage available in the region from $120/bale on farm. 
• It has been reported there is some sorghum stubble available in the region from $220/t on farm.
• It has been reported that there is some sugar cane tops available in the region from $300/t delivered locally.
• Cereal and pasture hay prices have firmed this week.
• Cereal hay: +10 ($600 to $670/t). Prices have firmed this week.
• Lucerne hay: +/-0 ($700 to $800/t). Prices remain steady tthis week.
• Straw: +/-0 ($380 to $450/t). Prices remain steady this week.
• Pasture hay: +100 ($450 to $650/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

• It has been a dry week in north coast NSW with no rainfall recorded. Light frosts were also reported.
• Farmers are busy this week mowing and cutting grasses to make hay and silage. 
• Demand is strong in the region and feed is moving fast. There is a lot of hay moving from north coast NSW to areas west of the region such as the Northern Tablelands and Tamworth. Hay supplies are limited with most feed in the region now committed. Lucerne, cereal hay and straw are being carted 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 silage available in the regions for $100 – $160/bale on farm.
• It has been reported that there is millet available in the region from $100/round bale. 
• It has been noted there is rice stubble available in the region for $200-$250/t.
• 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 ($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^stJanuary 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 areas such as Forbes and Orange recording light rainfall, Cowra drizzle and Dubbo no rainfall. Light frosts were also reported in parts of the region.
• Late sown crops in the region are struggling. There are some farmers in the central west NSW are busy baling sorghum stubble this week, most of this is already committed. 
• Demand is strong in central west NSW and there is limited supply available. There is some corn stubble being moved into the area from the Riverina. Most hay in the region is already committed. Hay is being sourced from outside central west NSW, largely coming from Victoria and South Australia. Cereal hay, pasture hay, lucerne 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 that there is corn stubble available in the region from $250/t.
• No price changes have been noted this week.
• Cereal hay: +/-0 ($550 to $650/t). Prices remain steady this week.
• Lucerne hay: +/-0 ($650 to $750/t). Prices remain steady this week.
• Straw: +/-0 ($320 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.
• 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 1st January 2018. For more information and to apply please visit https://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/climate-and-emergencies/droughthub

Bega Valley

• Light rain fell on Monday in Bega with 3mm of rainfall recorded.
• Bega has browned off. Farmers with irrigation water are irrigating and these parts of the region remain green.
• Demand is strong in Bega and feed supplies are limited. Hay is difficult to source and farmers are looking to source alternatives. Farmers in the region have made a lot of silage for themselves and are trying to get by on their own feed. The prices quoted are for hay and straw to be carted into the region.
• No price changes have been noted this week.
• Cereal hay: +/-0 ($490 to $550/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 1st 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 on Saturday in the Goulburn Valley with Shepparton recording 4mm of rainfall, Echuca 6mm, Kyabram 6mm, Benalla 10mm and Yarrawonga 10mm.
• Grass growth is good in the Goulburn Valley with most farmers in the region now having some sort of green feed. 
• External demand is strong in the region and steady locally. Gassed rice straw and mouldy corn stubble are being carted into the region from the Riverina. Many farmers in the region are only servicing existing customers. Some farmers in the region are releasing hay supplies, however there is little of this. 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 that corn stubble is available in the Goulburn Valley from $190/t.
• It has been reported there is gassed rice straw available in the region from $100/bale. 
• It has been reported that there is some gassed rice straw silage available from $100/bale delivered locally.
• It has been reported there is some canola available in the region from $380/t on farm.
• Lucerne prices have eased this week.
• Cereal hay: +/-0 ($400 to $450/t). Prices remain steady this week.
• Lucerne hay: -25 ($550 to $700/t). Prices have eased this week
• Straw: +/-0 ($190 to $220/t). Prices remain steady this week.
• Pasture hay: +/-0 ($420 to $480/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

• Rain fell over Gippsland this week. Parts of the region received more rainfall than others with areas such as Yanackie recording 57mm compared with areas such Orbost which recorded 14mm. 
• There is water lying in parts of the region this week which has been a welcomed change. Rains will have been beneficial to crops that have been sown. Much more rain is needed for parts of the region. 
• Demand is very strong and continues to increase. Supply is limited with feed being sourced from outside the region. A lot of alternatives are being sourced and used in Gippsland including almond hulls, palm kernals, oranges and orange rinds. There is a high demand for cereal hay but this is increasingly difficult to source. Hay and straw prices quoted are from outside the region. 
• No price changes have been noted this week.
• Cereal hay: +/-0 ($500 to $550/t). Prices remain steady this week.
• Lucerne hay: +/-0 ($550 to $570/t). Prices remain steady this week.
• Straw: +/-0 ($220 to $260/t). Prices remain steady this week.
• Pasture hay: +/-0 ($440 to $560/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

• Patchy rain fell over southwest Victoria this week with Colac recording 34mm of rainfall and Warnambool recording 63mm.
• It is too wet to get onto the paddock and there is water lying around. The region is green and there is good grass growth. 
• Local demand remains steady however external is high. Hay supplies are limited with most hay in the region now committed. There is a bit more hay coming onto the market but there is not much of this. Hay and straw are 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 vetch available in the region from $420/t delivered locally. 
• Cereal hay and pasture hay prices have firmed this week. 
• Cereal hay: +20 ($400 to $440/t). Prices have firmed this week.
• Lucerne hay: +/-0 ($550 to $600/t). Prices remain steady this week.
• Straw: +/-0 ($190 to $200/t). Prices remain steady this week.
• Pasture hay: +5 ($370 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.

Southeast South Australia

• Rain fell over Friday and Saturday in southeast South Australia with Keith recording 6mm of rainfall over the two days, Padthaway 9mm, Naracoorte 9mm and Mount Gambier 10mm. 
• Southeast South Australia is green. Grass and crops continue to grow in the region. 
• Local demand is steady in the region and there is a little more hay coming onto the market with the rain. External demand remains strong and supply is limtied. Hay is moving quickly and most hay in the sheds is now committed. Hay is being carted from the region to NSW, Victoria and Queensland. Hay is also being moved into the region from Victoria. Pasture hay in the region is largely for personal use.
• No price changes have been noted this week.
• Cereal hay: +/-0 ($400 to $450/t). Prices remain steady this week.
• Lucerne hay: +/-0 ($500 to $550/t). Prices remain steady this week.
• Straw: +/-0 ($150 to $200/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.

Central South Australia

• Patchy rain fell on Saturday in central South Australia with Kadina recording 5mm of rainfall and Clare recording 13mm.
• Crops are looking really healthy in the region with many established enough to keep going. 
• Demand in central South Australia remains strong and is largely coming from outside the region. Supplies are limited with most feed now spoken for. More feed is being released onto the market but there is very little of this. There is a lot of hay moving out of the region 
• No price changes have been noted this week.
• Cereal hay: +/-0 ($400 to $440/t). Prices remain steady this week.
• Lucerne hay: +/-0 ($520 to $600/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 

• It was a dry week in southwest Western Australia with only bits of drizzle recorded in the region.
• Farmers were busy spraying and fertilizing their crops this week.
• Demand has eased in the region. Hay supplies are tight in southwest Western Australia and there is limited carryover from previous seasons as most of this has moved to the eastern states. New seasons supplies have moved fast and It is becoming difficult to source feed. 
• There are no price changes 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 continues to fall in northwest Tasmania with Smithton recording 49mm of rainfall and Marrawah recording 37mm. 
• Grass growth has slowed in the region and there is water lying on the paddocks.
• Demand is strong in Tasmania. Many farmers are trying to make sure they have enough feed to have themselves covered. Parts of the state are very dry and in need of feed. There is a lucerne shortage in Tasmania with many finding this difficult to source. Cereal hay and lucerne is being sourced outside northwest Tasmania.
• Cereal hay, pasture hay and lucerne prices have firmed this week.
• Cereal hay: +30 ($200 to $230/t) Prices have firmed this week.
• Lucerne hay: +50 ($350 to $400/t) Prices have firmed this week.
• Straw: +/-0 ($80 to $130/t) Prices remain steady this week.
• Pasture hay: +70 ($160 to $230/t) Prices rhave 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. We recommend feed testing and viewing of fodder before purchase to be sure of the quality of feed.