Hay Report – 30 November 2019

1 Dec 2019 | Hay Reports

National Summary

  • The northern regions remain dry this week with no rainfall recorded in the Atherton Tablelands, the Darling Downs, central west NSW, north coast NSW, and Bega. Rain in the southern regions has been patchy and light, excluding northwest Tasmania which had some decent rainfall, and central South Australia which recorded no rainfall.
  • Farmers in north coast NSW, the Goulburn Valley, Gippsland, southwest Victoria, southeast South Australia and central South Australia have been busy baling this week. Weather damaged hay has come onto the market in parts of Victoria and this is reflected in price. More pasture hay and straw have come onto the market this week.
  • Demand remains strong all across the nation. Demand in the southern states is being driven by the northern states. There is a lot of hay moving north where feed supplies are limited. There is not much local demand in the southern regions.
  • Cereal hay price changes have been noted this week in the Darling Downs, the Goulburn Valley, Gippsland, central South Australia, and southwest Western Australia. Price changes have also been noted in north coast NSW, central west NSW, and Tasmania.
  • There is a lot of hay being transported around the country of varying quality. We caution buyers and recommend feed-testing and viewing fodder before purchasing to be sure of quality of the feed.

Northern Australia – Summary

  • There was little cereal hay made this season and many crops failed. Supply of feed is limited with a lot of hay being carted into the region from the southern parts of the nation.
  • Local hay supplies have moved fast and there are limited supplies left.
  • 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 1st January 2018. For more information and to apply please visit https://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/climate-and-emergencies/droughthub

Southern Australia – Summary

  • Last seasons hay is limited in supply and there is limited carryover from previous years.
  • New season cereal hay, straw, pasture hay and lucerne continues to be made in parts of the region.
  • There is a lot of hay moving to the northern regions.
  • There were a lot of frost damaged crops that were turned into hay this season.
  • There is hay that has been rained on in parts of southern Australia which has varying degrees of whether damage. This is on the market.
  • Yields have been good for many in the south however, hay making conditions have been difficult 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 1st January 2018. For more information and to apply please visit https://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/climate-and-emergencies/droughthub

Western Australia – Summary

  • Cereal hay making is largely finished for the season and yields are low across the state.
  • New season straw is starting to be made in the region, yields are poor.
  • With limited carryover from previous seasons and poor yields across the state, securing long-term, reliable sources of feed may be an issue.
  • 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

  • There was no rainfall recorded in the Atherton Tablelands for the month of November.
  • There is very little hay left to be made in the region. Farmers are trying to get grass seed. There should be another cut in the coming weeks.
  • Demand for hay is steady in the Atherton Tablelands. Demand is coming from both within and outside the region. Hay supplies are limited and are moving fast. Most of the hay being made is already committed.  
  • No price changes have been noted this week.
  • Pasture hay: +/-0 ($400 to $440/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

  • There was no rainfall in the Darling Downs for the month of November. It has been hot and windy in the region this week.
  • There is limted feed in the Darling Downs. The region remains dry and is in need of decent rainfall.
  • Demand for hay is holding strong in the Darling Downs. Hay supplies are limited with a lot of hay being carted into the region. Sugar cane tops are moving into the region from the Bundaberg/MacKay region, most of this is already committed. There is a little bit of irrigated pasture on the market. Cereal hay and vetch are being carted into the region from the southern states. Lucerne and cereal hay prices are for hay to be carted into the region.
  • It has been reported that there are some sugar cane tops available in the region from $240/t delivered locally.
  • It has been reported that vetch is being delivered to the region from $450-550/t.
  • Price changes have been noted this week.
  • Cereal hay: +10 ($420 to $450/t). Prices have firmed this week.
  • Lucerne hay: +/-0 ($600 to $700/t). Prices remain steady week.
  • Straw: +25 ($300 to $350/t). Prices have firmed this week.
  • Pasture hay: -110 ($410 to $470/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.

North Coast NSW

  • It was a dry, hot week in north coast NSW with no rainfall recorded.
  • There is a little bit of Rhodes grass being baled this week. Sugar cane tops continue to be baled in the region.
  • Demand is holding strong in north coast NSW, coming from both within and outside the region. Most cereal hay in the region has moved. There is a bit of Rhodes grass coming onto the market but most of this is committed. Cereal hay is now being transported into the region from Victoria. There is limited feed available in north coast NSW with most hay spoken for. Cereal hay and lucerne prices quoted are for supplies to be carted into the region.
  • It has been reported there is frosted sugar case silage available in the region from $100/bale on farm.
  • It has been reported that there are sugar cane tops available in the region from $150/t on farm.
  • Pasture hay prices have firmed this week.
  • Cereal hay: +/-0 ($430 to $480/t). Prices remain steady this week.
  • Lucerne hay: +/-0 ($600 to $700/t). Prices remain steady this week.
  • Straw: +/-0 ($270 to $330/t). Prices remain steady this week.
  • Pasture hay: +70 ($400 to $440/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.
  • 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

Central West NSW

  • It was another hot, windy, and dry week in central west NSW.
  • Central west NSW is very dry. There were thick dust storms in the region this week.
  • Demand is holding strong in central west NSW. There is limited supply available in the region with hay being sourced from outside the region; largely coming from Victoria and South Australia. 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 that there is vetch being delivered to the region from 450/t.
  • It has been reported that there is cereal hay being delivered to the region from southern NSW and Victoria for $350-$380/t.
  • Straw prices have firmed this week.
  • Cereal hay: +/-0 ($400 to $450/t). Prices remain steady this week.
  • Lucerne hay: +/-0 ($600 to $700/t). Prices remain steady this week.
  • Straw: +20 ($240 to $320/t). Prices have firmed 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

  • it has been hot and dry in Bega this week.
  • Many farmers have run out of their allocations for water use and there is a meeting to talk about water resources. A lot of creeks and dams are dry in the region. Not much silage has been made this season.
  • With little green feed demand is holiding strong in Bega and supply is limited. Hay is being carted into the region from NSW, Victoria and South Australia. The prices quoted are for hay and straw to be carted into the region.
  • It has been reported that vetch is being delivered to the region from $420-480/t.
  • No price changes have been noted this week.
  • Cereal hay: +/-0 ($370 to $430/t). Prices remain steady this week.
  • Lucerne hay: +/-0 ($650 to $700/t). Prices remain steady this week.
  • Straw: +/-0 ($300 to $350/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

  • Patchy storms passed through the Goulburn Valley this week. Some parts of the region experienced dry lightning and fires, some experienced hail, some light rain while for some the storm brought nothing.
  • Hail in parts of the region have damaged some grain crops and straw. Farmers are making lucerne, straw, and pasture hay in the region.
  • New season hay is moving fast with a lot of the cereal hay in the region now committed. Weather damaged cereal hay has come onto the market. There is a high demand for cereal hay largely coming from north of the region. A lot of lucerne in the region is being made into small squares. The quality of lucerne is varied which is reflected in the large price range. Some farmers are locking in straw prices off the back of the baler.
  • It has been reported that there is vetch being delivered to the region from the Mallee from $380/t
  • Price changes have been noted this week.
  • Cereal hay: -10 ($230 to $280/t). Prices have eased this week.
  • Lucerne hay: +30 ($510 to $800/t). Prices have firmed this week
  • Straw: +5 ($120 to $160/t). Prices have firmed this week.
  • Pasture hay: -50 ($250 to $370/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.

Gippsland

  • Patchy rain fell on Tuesday and Wednesday in the region. Some regions such as Bairnsdale recorded about 15mm while other areas such as Yarram only recorded about 1mm. Strong winds were also reported in the region.
  • Silage continues to be made in the south of Gippsland. Some early pasture hay is being made and this is in round bales. It is still wet in the south.
  • Demand remains slow in Gippsland. It is postulated that many farmers in the south of the region are waiting to see what the season brings before purchasing more feed, while farmers in the east are only purchasing when necessary. Some farmers are purchasing standing feed in the region. Cereal hay, lucerne and straw prices are for hay sourced outside the region.    
  • It has been reported that there is vetch being delivered to the area from $400 – 420/t.
  • It has been reported there is silage available in the region for $80-100/bale delivered.
  • It has been reported that there is standing silage available in the region for $30/bale.
  • Cereal, lucerne and pasture hay prices have eased this week.
  • Cereal hay: -30 ($280 to $340/t). Prices have eased this week.
  • Lucerne hay: +/-0 ($550 to $650/t). Prices remain steady this week.
  • Straw: -20 ($200 to $240/t). Prices have eased this week.
  • Pasture hay: -180 ($270 to $370/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.

Southwest Victoria

  • Tuesday and Wednesday brought light rain to southwest Victoria with Warrnambool recording about 1mm and Colac 2mm. There is rain forecast for the weekend.
  • Southwest Victoria is looking green. Farmers made the most of the fine weather and, in the south of the region, started cutting hay this week. There is a fair bit of hay on the ground at the moment that will get rained on if the forecast rain comes through.  
  • Local demand remains quiet in southwest Victoria however there is a bit of enquiry coming from outside the region. Hay prices quoted are from local and surrounding regions such as the Wimmera.
  • It has been reported that vetch is being delivered to the region from $320-350t.
  • No price changes have been noted this week.
  • Cereal hay: +/-0 ($240 to $280/t). Prices remain steady this week.
  • Lucerne hay: +/-0 ($450 to $520/t). Prices remain steady this week.
  • Straw: +/-0 ($190 to $200/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.

Southeast South Australia

  • Light patchy rain fell on Tuesday in southeast South Australia with Keith and Padthaway recording about 1mm of rainfall, Naracoorte 2mm and Mt Gambier 6mm. More rain is forecast for the region.
  • Straw and hay continue to be made in the region. It is dry in parts of the region making it difficult to bale.
  • There is a lot of demand coming from outside the region many farmers buying crops off the back of the baler or in the paddock. Local demand remains steady. There is a lot of hay moving from southeast South Australia to the northern states, particularly Northern Territory and Queensland.
  • It has been reported that there is some vetch being delivered into the region from $350-$400/t.
  • Lucerne prices have eased this week.
  • Cereal hay: +/-0 ($230 to $260/t). Prices remain steady this week.
  • Lucerne hay: -150 ($350 to $500/t). Prices have eased 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

  • It was a dry week in central South Australia with no rainfall recorded in the region. Strong winds were also reported in parts of the region.
  • Farmers are busy baling straw this week. There is still a lot of straw to be baled in the region.
  • Demand is strong in central South Australia largely coming from outside the region. New season cereal hay and straw is on the market with limited supply of last season hay left. There are frost damaged crops on the market and these are prices cheaper. A lot of hay is moving from the region to the northern states, particularly Northern Territory and Queensland. The price of lucerne is for lucerne to be sourced outside the region.
  • It has been reported there is vetch available in the region for $280-300/t on farm.
  • Cereal hay prices have firmed this week.
  • Cereal hay: +20 ($200 to $300/t). Prices have firmed this week.
  • Lucerne hay: +/-0 ($570 to $650/t). Prices remain steady this week.
  • Straw: +/-0 ($140 to $170/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 no rainfall recorded in the region.
  • Farmers in the southwest are finishing up baling hay. Straw continues to be baled throughout the state.
  • Domestic demand is steady in southwest Western Australia. New season hay and straw is on the market. There is very little carryover from previous seasons.
  • Cereal hay and straw prices have eased this week.
  • Cereal hay: -10 ($280 to $350/t). Prices have eased this week.
  • Lucerne hay: +/-0 ($450 to $490). Prices remain steady this week.
  • Straw: -30 ($110 to 140/t). Prices have eased 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 northwest Tasmania; the region is wet.
  • Northwest Tasmania is green. Farmers are busy making silage this week. Yields are good.
  • Demand is strong in parts of Tasmania but is quiet in the northwest. Parts of the state are very dry and in need of feed. There are limited hay supplies left in the state. Cereal hay and lucerne is being sourced outside northwest Tasmania.
  • It has been reported that there is pasture silage available from $60/bale on farm.
  • Pasture hay prices have this week.
  • Cereal hay: +/-0 ($220 to $260/t) Prices remain steady this week.
  • Lucerne hay: +/-0 ($350 to $400/t) Prices remain steady this week.
  • Straw: +/-0 ($80 to $130/t) Prices remain steady this week.
  • Pasture hay: +5 ($180 to $220/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. We recommend feed testing and viewing of fodder before purchase to be sure of the quality of feed.