National Summary
- Temperatures are soaring this week as most of the nation experiences a heatwave. For some parts of the nation this heatwave will bring rain, however some regions will miss out on these rains. Patchy rain fell this week in the Darling Downs, central west NSW, Gippsland, southwest Victoria and southeast South Australia.
- Many farmers in the Darling Downs and north coast NSW, are feeling a bit of relief following the rains. While rains have been patchy, and more is needed, these regions will be able to produce some feed. In central west NSW many did not receive decent rainfall, and those that did, will not be provided with much feed relief. The rain in northwest Tasmania is keeping the grass growing and adding to the regions great season.
- Demand is easing in parts of the country such as the Atherton Tablelands, the Darling Downs, and north coast NSW. Rains in these regions are providing more feed options and it is postulated, farmers in these regions are trying to limit their purchases. While demand has eased in many of the northern regions, the demand for feed remains strong in central west NSW and Bega. Demand from NSW and Queensland remains strong in the Goulburn Valley, southeast South Australia and central South Australia.
- Despite demand easing in the Darling Downs and north coast NSW, hay continues to move fast. Hay is still being sold faster than it can be moved and finding high-grade feed is becoming increasingly difficult. There are farmers in central South Australia that have frosted cereal hay in the paddock and are trying to move this before the rain comes later this week.
- Cereal hay prices have changed this week in the Darling Downs, central west NSW, the Goulburn Valley, Gippsland, southeast South Australia, central South Australia, and northwest Tasmania. Straw price changes have also been noted in the Darling Downs, central west NSW, the Goulburn Valley, Gippsland, southeast South Australia, and central South Australia.
- 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 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.
- Fires have affected some pasture and feed supplies in the region. Getting fodder into some parts of the region requires police escort.
- Late summer rains have moistened soils in parts of the region and provided a green tinge.
- Late summer crops are being sown in parts of northern Australia.
- 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.
- There were a lot of frost damaged crops that were turned into hay this season.
- There is a lot of hay moving to the northern regions.
- 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 some in the south however, hay making conditions have been difficult this season.
- Hay supplies are moving fast and it is becoming increasingly difficult to source high-grade hay.
- Fires have affected some pasture and feed supplies in the region. Getting fodder into some parts of the region requires police escort.
- 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 and straw making is finished for the season and yields are low across the state.
- With limited carryover from previous seasons and poor yields across the state, securing long-term, reliable sources of feed may be an issue.
- Hay has moved fast and is increasingly difficult to source.
- 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 was a wet week in the Atherton Tablelands with Walkamin recording about 179mm of rainfall. More rain is forecast for next week.
- It is green and there is hay ready to be made in the Atherton Tablelands once the weather clears. Farmers are getting the ground ready to sow crops. Some have sown crops and have had a bit of waterlogging.
- Demand has eased in the Atherton Tablelands. Hay supplies have moved fast and are increasingly difficult to source. 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
- Patchy rain fell in the Darling Downs this week. Rain over the last couple of weeks has been patchy with areas recording somewhere between 200mm and 20mm of rainfall.
- There are some farmers in the region sowing sorghum and millet. For some in the region the ground is currently too wet to sow, and they will need to wait for the ground to dry out a little before sowing crops.
- Demand has eased in the Darling Downs. It is postulated that farmers in the region are waiting to see what comes of the rain events before purchasing more feed. Hay is being carted into the region from the southern states. Lucerne, straw, cereal and pasture hay prices are for hay to be carted into the region.
- It has been reported that vetch is being delivered to the region from $550-600/t.
- Cereal, straw, and pasture hay prices have firmed this week.
- Cereal hay: +5 ($500 to $550/t). Prices have firmed this week.
- Lucerne hay: +/-0 ($700 to $750/t). Prices remain steady week.
- Straw: +10 ($340 to $380/t). Prices have firmed this week.
- Pasture hay: +40 ($480 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
- Patchy rain fell in north coast NSW this week with some recording over 40mm of rainfall while others recorded none. It has been hot in the region, and more storms are forecast for early next week.
- The region is looking green and farmers are busy sowing sorghum, millet, and soybeans. Tropical grasses are starting to grow. Dryland farmers are hoping they will be able to get in two cuts of tropical grasses. While water pressure has eased a little, more water is needed.
- Demand is quiet in north coast NSW. The rains have allowed grasses to grow and have eased demand. There is little feed available in the region; most hay has moved. Cereal hay, straw, and lucerne prices quoted are for supplies to be carted into 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 ($600 to $700/t). Prices remain steady this week.
- Straw: +/-0 ($270 to $330/t). Prices remain steady this week.
- Pasture hay: +/-0 ($420 to $450/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
Central West NSW
- Patchy rain fell in central west NSW with some recording over 80mm of rainfall while others recorded none. Hot weather has hit the region and is forecast to persist until Monday.
- The rain has filled some dams and has allowed some native grasses to grow. Many missed out on good rainfall and for many, the rain has just sprouted weeds. Much more rain is needed in the region.
- Demand is holding firm in central west NSW. Most hay in the region has moved. There is a high demand for cereal hay and demand for straw is increasing in the region. Feed is largely being sourced from Victoria and South Australia. Cereal hay, pasture hay, lucerne, and straw prices, have been sourced from outside the region.
- It has been reported that there is vetch being delivered to the region from $480/t.
- Cereal hay and straw prices have firmed this week.
- Cereal hay: +55 ($440 to $500/t). Prices have firmed this week.
- Lucerne hay: +/-0 ($650 to $700/t). Prices remain steady this week.
- Straw: +25 ($270 to $300/t). Prices have firmed this week.
- Pasture hay: +/-0 ($430 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
- Wednesday brought hot weather to Bega, which is forecast to persist until Sunday. Light rain is forecast to come with the cool change.
- Bega is dry. The rain event last week left a green tinge in parts of the region but has not wet soils. The hot weather this week will dry out much of what has fallen. Water remains an issue in the region.
- Demand is holding very strong in the Bega valley. With some pasture and feed lost there is demand coming from these farmers as well as those who have run out of feed. There was very little feed made in Bega and surrounding regions this season. Hay is being carted into the region from NSW, Victoria and South Australia. Some hay is being donated into the region. Getting hay to some in the region requires police escort. The prices quoted are for hay and straw to be carted into the region.
- It has been reported that canola is being delivered into the region from $450/t.
- No price changes have been noted this week.
- Cereal hay: +/-0 ($450 to $500/t). Prices remain steady this week.
- Lucerne hay: +/-0 ($650 to $700/t). Prices remain steady this week.
- Straw: +/-0 ($250 to $300/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
- It has been a hot, dry week in the Goulburn Valley, with temperatures forecast to soar later in the week.
- The Goulburn Valley is brown and dry. Water levels are an issue in the region. Farmers in the region continue to make straw and lucerne.
- New season hay has moved fast with many farmers in the region now sold out of cereal hay. A lot of the hay on the market is now lower grade. Demand for cereal hay is holding firm, largely coming from north of the region. Hay is moving to fire affected areas. There is a bit of donated hay moving from 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.
- Price changes have been noted this week.
- Cereal hay: +10 ($330 to $390/t). Prices have firmed this week.
- Lucerne hay: +/-0 ($680 to $800/t). Prices remain steady this week
- Straw: +10 ($160 to $200/t). Prices have firmed this week.
- Pasture hay: +/-0 ($360 to $390/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
- Patchy rain fell in Gippsland this week with some receiving over 40mm while others only received a light shower. A heat wave has come to the region and this is forecast to persist until Sunday.
- South Gippsland remains wet and green. There is still some hay being made in the south, but most have now finished. The East remains dry. While rain has helped ease conditions for some much more rain is needed.
- Demand has eased in Gippsland. The demand in Gippsland is coming from the east, however it has been reported many are buying on an as needed basis. Many roads in east Gippsland remain closed and requires permits and police escort. There is a lot of donated hay coming into the fire affected regions of east Gippsland. Cereal hay, lucerne and straw prices are for hay sourced outside the region.
- It has been reported that is being delivered to the region for $390 – $440/t.
- Cereal hay and straw prices have firmed this week.
- Cereal hay: +25 ($380 to $420/t). Prices have firmed this week.
- Lucerne hay: +/-0 ($550 to $650/t). Prices remain steady this week.
- Straw: +5 ($200 to $230/t). Prices have firmed this week.
- Pasture hay: +/-0 ($250 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.
Southwest Victoria
- Patchy rain fell over Thursday and Friday last week in southwest Victoria with Colac recording about 26mm of rainfall and Warrnambool about 11mm. Hot weather has made its way to the region and is forecast to persist until Saturday. Rain is forecast to fall over the region with the hot weather and cool change.
- Southwest Victoria is still a bit green but has dried off. Farmers are feeding and attending to stock in the region.
- Demand remains slow in southwest Victoria. Southwest Victoria had a good season, and most have enough hay to cover themselves. Many in the region are holding onto their hay supplies to make sure they have themselves covered and may release some supplies onto the market later in the season. There are supplies being donated from the region to fire affected areas. Hay prices quoted are from local and surrounding regions such as the Wimmera.
- Lucerne and pasture hay prices have firmed this week.
- Cereal hay: +/-0 ($300 to $350/t). Prices remain steady this week.
- Lucerne hay: +35 ($500 to $600/t). Prices have firmed this week.
- Straw: +/-0 ($160 to $170/t). Prices remain steady this week.
- Pasture hay: +5 ($250 to $270/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
- Patchy rain fell in southeast South Australia on Monday with parts of the regions recording between 0 and 10mm. More rain is forecast for later in the week.
- Straw and lucerne continue to be made in southeast South Australia. Rain will be good for growth in the region however may cause damage to hay on the ground.
- Demand is holding firm in southeast South Australia. A lot of demand is coming from outside the region. There is a lot of hay moving from southeast South Australia to the northern states, particularly Northern Territory, NSW, and Queensland. Hay supplies are moving fast and are becoming thin with some farmers now sold out of hay. A lot of hay on the market is now lower grade. Some hay is moving from the region on road trains.
- Price changes have been noted this week.
- Cereal hay: +15 ($300 to $340/t). Prices have firmed this week.
- Lucerne hay: +25 ($500 to $570/t). Prices have firmed this week.
- Straw: +20 ($170 to $200/t). Prices have firmed this week.
- Pasture hay: +/-0 ($270 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.
Central South Australia
- Monday brought patchy rain to central South Australia with areas recording between 0 and 10mm of rainfall. Wednesday brought hot and humid weather, and this heatwave is forecast to persist until Saturday. The cool change will bring rain to the region. If forecast rain comes through it will be the first decent rainfall the region has seen since early spring.
- There is some frosted cereal hay in the paddocks that farmers are trying to move before the rain comes late this week/early next week. Some farmers in the region are still baling straw.
- Demand is holding firm in central South Australia largely coming from outside the region. New season cereal hay is moving fast, and quality cereal hay is becoming harder to source. Frosted cereal hay is priced cheaper. A lot of hay is moving from the region to the northern states, particularly Northern Territory, NSW, and Queensland. The price of lucerne is for lucerne to be sourced outside the region.
- Straw and cereal hay prices have eased this week.
- Cereal hay: -10 ($270 to $370/t). Prices have eased this week.
- Lucerne hay: +/-0 ($570 to $650/t). Prices remain steady this week.
- Straw: -10 ($160 to $180/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 Western Australia
- It was another hot, dry week in southwest Western Australia with no rainfall recorded in the region.
- It is very dry in the south of Western Australia and water is becoming an issue for some in the region.
- Domestic demand is steady in southwest Western Australia. New season hay and straw is moving fast and is limited in supply. A lot of hay in the state is now committed. Some hay has been donated from Western Australia to the east coast. It is becoming difficult to source hay. There is very little carryover from previous seasons.
- No price changes have been noted this week.
- Cereal hay: +/-0 ($320 to $380/t). Prices remain steady this week.
- Lucerne hay: +/-0 ($450 to $490). Prices remain steady this week.
- Straw: +/-0 ($130 to 160/t). Prices remain steady this week.
- Pasture hay: +/-0 ($260 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.
Northwest Tasmania
- Rain fell in northwest Tasmania this week with over 30mm recorded in areas. Thursday brought hot weather which is forecast to persist through Friday and bring more rain.
- The grass is growing in the region and some in the region are planning on getting a couple more cuts of silage in.
- Demand is holding firm in northwest Tasmania and is largely coming from the east coast. The east coast is dry and has very little feed. There is a lot of hay moving to the east coast of Tasmania. There is hay being donated from the region to the fire affected areas in Victoria. Many farmers in the northwest have enough feed to get them through the season. Cereal hay is becoming difficult to source. Cereal hay and lucerne is being sourced outside northwest Tasmania.
- It has been reported that there is pasture silage available from $75-$80/bale on farm.
- It has been reported that cheaper cereal hay can be sourced outside the region through established contacts. While difficult to source, those with established contacts might be able to find cereal hay from $200/t delivered.
- It has been reported that there is silage available in the region from $85/bale on farm.
- Price changes have been noted this week.
- Cereal hay: +5 ($310 to $340/t) Prices have firmed this week.
- Lucerne hay: +/-0 ($370 to $400/t) Prices remain steady this week.
- Straw: +/-0 ($80 to $130/t) Prices remain steady this week.
- Pasture hay: -15 ($240 to $290/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. We recommend feed testing and viewing of fodder before purchase to be sure of the quality of feed.