National Summary
- While there is still green feed around, many of the regions are starting to dry out. South Australia, which has missed most of the rain, is very dry, and farmers are hoping for rains to come before they have to sow. Victoria, which had good growth for the time of year, has started to dry out. As for NSW, while the north coast remains wet, much of the state is drying out.
- Despite the drying conditions, demand for the most part remains quiet. We are still seeing demand come from central west NSW, and demand has started to pick up in southwest Victoria. The Goulburn Valley is receiving some of this demand, for other regions, all remains quiet.
- With previous rains, many farmers now have irrigation water and have been able to irrigate crops sown with rain events. This should provide many farmers with feed despite drying conditions. Feed is still being made in the northern regions as well as some of the southern.
- A lot of hay moved early in the season and movement has slowed significantly. With verbal contracts continually being broken, there is more hay on the market. It has been reported that some farmers without shed space, are actively trying to move their hay, and have lowered their price. Some of this hay has lost some of its colour.
- There was little change in the market for most regions this week with price changes only being noted in the Darling Downs, the Goulburn Valley and central West NSW.
- 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
- After consistent rainfall demand has eased in northern Australia.
- Late summer crops have been sown in some parts of northern Australia and are being turned into hay.
- Supply of feed has been limited with a lot of hay being carted into the region from the southern parts of the nation; this is now slowing with current hay trucks delivering previously committed orders.
- There are reports of orders being cancelled due to the recent rains and the availability of green pick.
- Fires have affected some pasture and feed supplies in some regions.
- 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
- The Government is offering special assistance grants to those affected by the bushfires. For more information and to apply, please visit https://www.raa.nsw.gov.au/disaster-assistance/special-disaster-grant-bushfires
Southern Australia – Summary
- A lot of hay has been moving to the northern regions, but this has slowed.
- Yields have been good for many in the south, however hay making conditions has been difficult this season due to inclement weather.
- 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 weather damage. This is on the market.
- Hay supplies have moved fast, and there is limited carryover from previous years.
- Fires have affected some pasture and feed supplies in the region and various charities are still active in the market recurring fodder to donate to these affected regions.
- 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
- The NSW Government is offering special assistance grants to those affected by the NSW bushfires. For more information and to apply, please visit https://www.raa.nsw.gov.au/disaster-assistance/special-disaster-grant-bushfires
- The Victorian Government is offering support to those affected by the Gippsland bushfires. For more information on support available, and to apply, please visit http://agriculture.vic.gov.au/agriculture/emergencies/recovery/current-incidents
Western Australia – Summary
- Domestic demand is steady in southwest Western Australia.
- New season hay and straw has moved fast and is limited in supply. A lot of hay in the state is now committed.
- There is some new cereal hay on the market.
- With limited carryover from previous seasons and poor yields across the state, securing long-term, reliable sources of feed may still 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.
- Securing a good autumn break is still very much factoring in the minds of Western Australian growers, despite recent rains.
Regional Commentary
Atherton Tablelands
- It has been a drizzly week in the Atherton Tablelands.
- There is hay to be made, once the weather clears, in the Atherton Tablelands.
- Demand is slow in the Atherton Tablelands. There is plenty of green pick in the region and there is less hay moving from the region to areas such as Gatton.
- Pasture hay: +/-0 ($300 to $350/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.
Darling Downs
- It was another hot, dry, sunny week in the Darling Downs.
- The grass continues to grow in the Darling Downs and the region is green, however, parts of the region are starting to dry out. Farmers in the region are busy making hay.
- Demand is quiet in the Darling Downs. Farmers are trying to get by on what feed they have, and it has been reported that some farmers are cancelling loads of hay. Cereal hay, lucerne, and straw, are being sourced outside the region.
- It has been reported that there is forage sorghum hay in the region available from $160/t on farm.
- Price changes have been noted this week.
- Cereal hay: -20 ($380 to $450/t). Prices have eased this week.
- Lucerne hay: -75 ($500 to $600/t). Prices have eased this week.
- Straw: +/-0 ($280 to $330/t). Prices remain steady this week.
- Pasture hay: -50 ($200 to $250/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 another week of patchy rain in north coast NSW, however, parts of the region experienced consecutive days without rainfall. Rain is forecast in the region for the rest of the week.
- Farmers who have had the weather window, have been busy making hay and silage again this week. Farmers are trying to get everything in a bale before the forecast rain falls. There is more feed to be made once the weather clears. Most feed in the region has passed its prime for cutting. Farmers are hoping to finish cutting soon so they can get in another cut before winter.
- With plenty of green feed available, demand is quiet in north coast NSW. It has been reported many farmers have hay supplies in their sheds from previous purchases. There is little local hay in the region. 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 ($400 to $450/t). Prices remain steady this week.
- Lucerne hay: +/-0 ($500 to $600/t). Prices remain steady this week.
- Straw: +/-0 ($170 to $230/t). Prices remain steady this week.
- Pasture hay: +/-0 ($220 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.
- The Government is offering special assistance grants to those affected by the bushfires. For more information and to apply, please visit https://www.raa.nsw.gov.au/disaster-assistance/special-disaster-grant-bushfires
Central West NSW
- Light patchy rain fell in central west NSW on Wednesday. Many parts of the region missed out on rainfall and those who received it did not record much.
- There are still bits of green pick in the region and farmers have been busy with their spraying programs. Some early sown oats in the region are struggling and need decent rainfall.
- Demand is steady in central west NSW. It is postulated many farmers are trying to fill their sheds to get them through winter. Most hay in the region has moved and feed is being sourced from Victoria and South Australia. Cereal hay, pasture hay, lucerne, and straw prices, have been sourced from outside the region.
- Lucerne prices have eased this week.
- Cereal hay: +/-0 ($360 to $400/t). Prices remain steady this week.
- Lucerne hay: -75 ($550 to $650/t). Prices have eased this week.
- Straw: +/-0 ($250 to $280/t). Prices remain steady this week.
- Pasture hay: +/-0 ($250 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.
Bega Valley
- Light rain fell on Wednesday in the Bega Valley, with Bega recording just over 1mm of rainfall.
- Bega is starting to dry out. Farmers with irrigation have been watering and their crops are looking good, but dryland pastures are drying off. Farmers in the region continue to be busy making silage.
- Demand remains quiet in the Bega Valley. There is a lot of feed in the region and farmers are trying to get by with what they have. Hay continues to be donated to fire affected parts of the region. The prices quoted are for hay and straw to be carted into the region.
- It has been reported there is silage available in the region from $80/bale on farm.
- No price changes have been noted this week.
- Cereal hay: +/-0 ($430 to $480/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 is offering special assistance grants to those affected by the bushfires. For more information and to apply, please visit https://www.raa.nsw.gov.au/disaster-assistance/special-disaster-grant-bushfires
Goulburn/Murray Valley
- It was a dry, sunny week in the Goulburn Valley.
- Farmers in the Goulburn Valley are feeding their stock silage. Many in the region who have sown crops have irrigated these and will be expecting some feed in about three weeks.
- Demand is steady in the Goulburn Valley. There is a lot less hay moving from the region, however large quantities are still moving from the region. A lot more hay is coming onto the market from verbal contracts that have been cancelled and it easier to find quality feed.
- Prices changes have been noted this week.
- Cereal hay: -20 ($250 to $330/t). Prices have eased this week.
- Lucerne hay: -75 ($450 to $650/t). Prices have eased this week.
- Straw: +/-0 ($90 to $140/t). Prices remain steady this week.
- Pasture hay: -50 ($250 to $330/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
- Light patchy rain fell over Gippsland this week.
- While Gippsland is still looking green it is starting to dry out a little.
- Demand is quiet in Gippsland, there is minimal hay moving in the region. A lot of pasture hay was made in south Gippsland. There was not much cereal hay made in the region this season. Cereal hay and straw prices quoted are for hay to be carted into the region.
- No price changes have been noted this week.
- Cereal hay: +/-0 ($280 to $340/t). Prices remain steady this week.
- Lucerne hay: +/-0 ($550 to $650/t). Prices remain steady this week.
- Straw: +/-0 ($150 to $200/t). Prices remain steady this week.
- Pasture hay: +/-0 ($180 to $240/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 Victorian Government is offering support to those affected by the Gippsland bushfires. For more information on support available, and to apply, please visit http://agriculture.vic.gov.au/agriculture/emergencies/recovery/current-incidents
Southwest Victoria
- Light scatted rain fell in southwest Victoria over the weekend and Monday. No rainfall has been recorded in the region since.
- Southwest Victoria has dried out. There is very little green pick in the region and farmers are relying on hand feeding.
- Local demand has started to pick up in southwest Victoria. The region has had a good season however the region has dried out and it is postulated that farmers are making sure they will have enough feed to get through the winter. Hay prices quoted are from local and surrounding regions such as the Wimmera.
- No price changes have been noted this week.
- Cereal hay: +/-0 ($240 to $300/t). Prices remain steady this week.
- Lucerne hay: +/-0 ($500 to $600/t). Prices remain steady this week.
- Straw: +/-0 ($100 to $140/t). Prices remain steady this week.
- Pasture hay: +/-0 ($160 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.
Southeast South Australia
- it was another dry, hot week in southeast South Australia, with no rainfall recorded in the region.
- Southeast South Australia is dry. There is little growth in the region and farmers are needing to feed.
- Demand remains quiet in southeast South Australia. There is a lot of straw on the market and farmers are eager to move this. There is more hay available on the market after some farmers have broken verbal contracts. There is little pasture hay on the market, with most of this moved early in the season.
- It has been reported there is vetch available in the region from $350/t.
- No price changes have been noted this week.
- Cereal hay: +/-0 ($270 to $300/t). Prices remain steady this week.
- Lucerne hay: +/-0 ($380 to $500/t). Prices remain steady. this week.
- Straw: +/-0 ($100 to $140/t). Prices remain steady this week.
- Pasture hay: +/-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.
Central South Australia
- Light patchy rain fell in central South Australia with Kadina recording about 5mm of rainfall and Clare 6mm.
- Much more rain is needed in central South Australia and the region remains dry. There is minimal growth in the region. Farmers are continuing to get ready for sowing crops in May, which may be a dry sow.
- Demand remains quiet central South Australia. There is hay out in the paddock that has been rained on and lost its colour but are not damaged, and many farmers are trying to move this. There was a lot of frost damaged crops turned to hay in the region and many farmers are trying to move this as well. Lucerne hay is being sourced from southeast South Australia.
- No prices changes have been noted this week.
- Cereal hay: +/-0 ($220 to $320/t). Prices remain steady this week.
- Lucerne hay: +/-0 ($400 to $480/t). Prices remain steady this week.
- Straw: +/-0 ($120 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, hot, sunny week in southwest Western Australia.
- There are bits of green pick in southwest Western Australia. Farmers in the region continue to get ready for next season.
- Domestic demand remains steady in southwest Western Australia. Many are trying to get by on what feed they have. Straw, lucerne, and pasture are difficult to source. There is limited carryover from previous years.
- No price changes have been noted this week.
- Cereal hay: +/-0 ($320 to $370/t). Prices remain steady this week.
- Lucerne hay: +/-0 ($450 to $490). Prices remain steady this week.
- Straw: +/-0 ($120 to 140/t). Prices remain steady this week.
- Pasture hay: +/-0 ($200 to $220/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 over the weekend in northwest Tasmania with the region recording between 15 and 25mm of rainfall.
- Northwest Tasmania remains green however, parts of the state have started to dry out again.
- Demand remains steady in northwest Tasmania. Demand is largely coming from outside the region such as the east coast and the midlands. Many farmers in the northwest have enough feed to get them through the season, however, hay supplies in the region are moving fast. Cereal hay is becoming difficult to source. Hay prices vary greatly in the state depending on where hay is purchased. Cereal hay and lucerne is being sourced outside northwest Tasmania.
- No price changes have been noted this week.
- Cereal hay: +/-0 ($260 to $340/t) Prices remain steady this week.
- Lucerne hay: +/-0 ($370 to $400/t) Prices remain steady this week.
- Straw: +/-0 ($150 to $200/t) Prices remain steady this week.
- Pasture hay: +/-0 ($250 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. We recommend feed testing and viewing of fodder before purchase to be sure of the quality of feed.