National Summary
- Last week brought rain to most regions, with only central South Australia missing out. More rain fell this week in parts of Victoria and Tasmania. Some regions that were drying out, have now had their autumn break. Unseasonably hot weather was experienced in South Australia this week.
- The eastern states are looking green, the grass continues to grow, and there is plenty of green feed available in these regions. Farmers are making the most of this growth, with hay and silage still being made in many of these regions. Some early oats are ready for grazing.
- Sowing for next season is in full swing for many regions in the eastern states. Some are still a couple of weeks off sowing. While some have started sowing crops in South Australia and Western Australia, most farmers in these regions will start sowing in a couple of weeks.
- Enquiry remains slow. There is not a lot of noncontractual hay moving at the moment and many farmers are still trying to get out of contracts. It is becoming easier to source high-grade hay.
- The market remained fairly steady this week with changes only reported in the Atherton Tablelands and the Goulburn Valley.
- 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
- There has been good rainfall over much of southern Australia, and some have started sowing next seasons crops.
- 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
- Patchy drizzle fell over the Atherton Tablelands at the beginning of the week; however, the weather is forecast to clear.
- The Atherton Tablelands is green. Farmers are preparing to make hay over the weekend.
- Demand remains 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: -50 ($250 to $300/t). Prices have eased 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
- After some light drizzle over the weekend, the sun has been shining in the Darling Downs.
- The Darling Downs is green, and for many, the grass is growing. Some in the region have had less rain than others and are starting to dry. Farmers in the region continue to make silage.
- Demand remains 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. Not much hay is moving in the region, and a lot of what is being made is for personal use. 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.
- No price changes have been noted this week.
- Cereal hay: +/-0 ($380 to $450/t). Prices remain steady this week.
- Lucerne hay: +/-0 ($500 to $600/t). Prices remain steady this week.
- Straw: +/-0 ($280 to $330/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.
North Coast NSW
- After Saturday’s patchy rainfall, it has been dry and sunny in north coast NSW.
- Farmers are making the most of the break in the weather and are busy making hay. Early oats are still a couple of weeks away off grazing. As well as making hay, farmers have been getting the ground ready for sowing.
- 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. Not much hay has been made in the region and local supplies are light. Cereal hay, straw, and lucerne prices quoted are for supplies to be carted into the region.
- It has been reported that there is rhodes grass hay available in the region from $240/t on farm.
- 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
- Patchy rain fell in central west NSW last weekend with some areas recording over 80mm of rainfall, while other missed out. Since then, no rainfall has been recorded in the region.
- Central west NSW is green and the grass continues to grow. Some early oats will be ready in the coming weeks. Farmers will start sowing once the ground dries out enough.
- Demand is quiet in central west NSW. There is plenty of green feed in the region, and it has been reported that many have hay in their sheds. Most hay in the region has moved and feed is being sourced from Victoria and South Australia. Cereal hay and straw prices have been sourced from outside the region.
- No price changes have been noted this week.
- Cereal hay: +/-0 ($360 to $400/t). Prices remain steady this week.
- Lucerne hay: +/-0 ($420 to $460/t). Prices remain steady this week.
- Straw: +/-0 ($250 to $280/t). Prices remain steady this week.
- Pasture hay: +/-0 ($160 to $200/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
- Rain fell in the Bega Valley over the weekend with Bega recording around 20mm of rainfall.
- After some decent rainfall Bega is looking green and the grass is growing. Farmers are busy this week making hay and sod seeding.
- Demand remains quiet in the Bega Valley. There is a lot of feed in the region and farmers are trying to make as much feed as they can for themselves. 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.
- It has been reported that vetch can be delivered to the region from $500/t.
- No price changes have been noted this week.
- Cereal hay: +/-0 ($400 to $430/t). Prices remain steady this week.
- Lucerne hay: +/-0 ($600 to $650/t). Prices remain steady this week.
- Straw: +/-0 ($200 to $230/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
- Rain fell last week in the Goulburn Valley with areas in the region recording between 50 -70mm of rainfall.
- The Goulburn Valley is green, and growth is good in the region. Some early sown oats are ready for grazing, and some are locking up these paddocks for silage. There is a lot of sowing occurring in the region.
- Enquiry has picked up a little in the Goulburn Valley but, this is marginal. There is a lot less hay moving from the region than a couple of months ago. A lot more hay is coming onto the market from verbal contracts that have been cancelled and it easier to find quality feed.
- Cereal hay and lurcerne prices have eased this week.
- Cereal hay: -40 ($220 to $280/t). Prices have eased this week.
- Lucerne hay: -15 ($420 to $650/t). Prices have eased this week.
- Straw: +/-0 ($90 to $140/t). Prices remain steady this week.
- Pasture hay: +/-0 ($250 to $330/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
- It has been a wet couple of weeks in Gippsland.
- The grass continues to grow in Gippsland and there is plenty of green feed available. Farmers continue to make silage this week.
- Demand remains quiet in Gippsland. A lot of pasture hay and silage 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.
- It has been reported that grass silage is available in the region from $80/bale on farm.
- 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
- After a week of wet weather, the sun started shining in southwest Victoria on Monday.
- The region is looking green and the grass is growing. Many in the region have started sowing.
- Local demand remains steady in southwest Victoria. The region has had a good season and has now experienced an autumn break. 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 unseasonably hot in southeast South Australia on Tuesday, with temperatures reaching close to 30 degrees. A cool change came late Wednesday.
- There is a green tinge in the region, but more rain is needed. Some farmers have started sowing in the region.
- 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
- It was hot this week in central South Australia, with temperatures exceeding 30 degrees. A cool change came through on Wednesday afternoon.
- Central South Australia is dry. Decent rainfall is needed in the next couple of weeks, or farmers will be dry sowing again this season. Some farmers in the region have already started their sowing programs.
- Demand remains quiet in central South Australia, with most demand being local. There is hay out in the paddock that hasbeen 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
- Rain fell in southwest Western Australia late last week with the region recording 30-50mm of rainfall.
- There is a green tinge in the region. While some farmers have started seeding crops, most are preparing to seed this week.
- Domestic demand has slowed in southwest Western Australia. Many are trying to get by on what feed they have. There is very little hay or straw left that is not spoken for in Western Australia. 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
- It has been a wet and drizzly week in northwest Tasmania.
- Northwest Tasmania remains green and the grass continues to grow.
- Demand has picked up a little in northwest Tasmania. Demand is largely coming from outside the region. 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.