Hay Report – 8 May 2020

National Summary

• This past week has again brought rain to regions of South Australia. While NSW and most parts of Victoria have enjoyed a break allowing paddocks to dry out for farmers so they can return to their winter seeding in the next few days.
• The eastern states are still looking nice and green and the grass continues to grow. How long this will last will depend on when the continuous colder days set in. The dual crops have been a huge success after such dry times for Central West NSW we certainly hope the season stays on track for this area.
• Bega sadly still heavily affected by the dry and the Darling Downs will continue to feel the effects of low rainfalls over the summer months as they head into their cropping period.
• Southwest Western Australia received much needed rain from a storm front unfortunately causing some damage but nonetheless dropping widespread rain. 
• Many parts of Australia have reported above average rainfall for April and wonder if this will be a repeated pattern for the coming months as we head into Winter.
• Sowing for next season is happening in all areas of Australia now. With South Australia and Western Australia now well underway.
• Much discussion still this week on COVID-19 and the ripple effect as we pass another week in isolation. Despite everything happening agriculture in general is gladly still operating to the best of its ability.
• We continue to hear that the domestic hay market is fairly stagnated and don’t expect demand to increase until the southern parts feel the effects of winter when cattle producers will look for more roughage.
• Prices have remained steady this week. Straw is in abundance and with no real movement to report it has significantly come back in price for most areas.
• 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 and chopped silage.
• 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 1^st 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 continued rainfall over much of southern Australia and seeding of new season crops is well underway.
• A lot of hay has been moving to the northern regions, but this has nearly completing backed off.
• 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 past 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 1^st 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 domestic cereal hay on the market, but it’s deemed too expensive.
• 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.
• With a break now being felt across the area after widespread rainfall some confidence of it being a better season has started to return. Continued decent rainfall will still be needed to keep the West out of trouble.

Regional Commentary

Atherton Tablelands

• The area continues to be frustrated by light showers, 6-12mls in total for the week and very few sunny days. Making it extremely difficult to get hay in the bail.
• The Atherton Tablelands still remain very green. Primarily seeing rhodes grass being made into hay. Grass seed continues to be harvested in the area as well.
• Demand remains slow in the area, there is less hay moving from the region at present. The past week has seen a small amount transported to Townsville to feed export cattle.
• Again, this week it was confirmed that dairy farmers are wanting to build up their silage stores and are paying approximately $60w/t standing.
• Pasture hay: +/-0 ($230 to $280/t). Prices remain steady this week and we shouldn’t expect to see this price come back any further.
• 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                                                                   

• No rain to report again in the Darling Downs this past week. Not having consistent good summer rainfall has made it difficult for new season plantings as they head into their dry season. Many are using underground water supplies to irrigate crops such as barley to get them up and going.
• Silage is winding up now, those that plant cereal crops have shifted to their seeding programs.
• Underground water levels have dropped, and this has forced some to reduce their production levels, to enable them to keep irrigating.
• Demand remains quiet in the Darling Downs. Not much hay is moving in the region, and a lot of what is being made is for personal use, such as forage sorghum and grass. Good quality irrigated lucerne hay is still in high demand from the Gatton area and the stores of these are very low. Lucerne will be cut again in approximately a month and will sell as quickly as it’s made. Good quality irrigated lucerne is making as much as $900/t.
• Prices remain steady this week.
• Cereal hay: +/-0 ($360 to $420/t). Prices remain steady this week.
• Lucerne hay: +/-0 ($450 to $500/t). Prices remain steady this week.
• Straw: +/-0 ($150 to $200/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

• Only light rainfall to report this week on the North Coast with 4mls being recorded mid-week. Heavier rain has again fallen on the coast. Farmers are continuing to seed, including oats, vetch and barley for new season hay crops. Much of this is going into paddocks that produced Rhodes grass over the summer.
• There is still green feed, but things are just starting to dry out. As well as seeding, the last of the seasons pasture is currently going into the bail. Demand continues to be quiet in North Coast NSW. Cereal hay, straw, and lucerne prices quoted are for supplies to be carted into the region.
• Prices remain steady this week. It is hard to gauge an exact price on cereal hay in the area as there really is little to no trade at present.
• Cereal hay: +/-0 ($400 to $450/t). Prices remain steady this week.
• Lucerne hay: +/-0 ($400 to $450/t). Prices remain steady this week.
• Straw: +/-0 ($100 to $150/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

• It has been a dry week for the Central West, and many will return to sowing in the coming days after the widespread rain last week left the area nice and wet. Parts of the Central West have already received over 300mls of rain for the year already.
• The area is still nice and green, and the grass will still be ok for about another six weeks before it burns off with the cold weather. The last cut of lucerne is going into silage now, this will be it as it’s becoming too wet and cold.
• Many farmers have finished seeding oats and vetch for new season hay and have moved onto grain crops. They are approximately halfway through the seeding season and with such a good break there continues to be many dual crops being planted including canola for grazing.
• Demand is very quiet in Central West at present but expect that it will increase in the coming months once the cold sets in and grasses are no longer there.
• Good quality irrigated lucerne is still asking $600/t.
• All prices remain steady.
• 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 ($100 to $150/t). Prices remain 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

• Bega area continues to be quite dry and are desperate for that 4-5 inches of good soaking rain.
• Farmers were able to make small amounts of silage earlier in the autumn, but a dry winter will make it difficult. The long-range outlook is not looking great for this area especially as we head into the colder months.
• Demand remains quiet in the Bega Valley. Again, farmers are trying to make as much feed as they can for themselves and get by with what they have. 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.
• All prices remain steady this week.
• Cereal hay: +/-0 ($350 to $400/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

• The Goulburn Murray has been much dryer this week after substantial rainfall with some places receiving aver 100mls.
• The valley is still very green, and growth is good in the region. Seeding has been on hold much of this week due to rain, but most growers are returning to their tractors now. Today also saw the return of the choppers to the paddocks to try and complete corn silage.
• Enquiry is slow, there is no hay moving from the region compared to a couple of months ago. Loads have continued into the Cooma area due to the dry still being felt in those parts. This has included canola hay.
• All prices remain steady this week.
• Cereal hay: +/-0 ($190 to $220/t). Prices remain steady this week.
• Lucerne hay: +/-0 ($330 to $400/t). Prices remain steady this week.
• Straw: +/-0 ($80 to $100/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

• After receiving very heavy rainfall in parts last week Gippsland has had a predominantly dry seven days. South Gippsland recorded 100mls, where other areas like Yarram received 50mls.
• The grass continues to grow in Gippsland and there is plenty of green feed available. Most new season pastures have been sown now. Seeding of cereal crops is underway, these will be gazed in the coming months or carried through for new season hay.
• The chopping of corn is still pushing on. Anything that was deep ripped will struggle to be harvested as the paddocks are just too wet to move on. Summer rain brought cooler temperatures and less heat to finish off corn crops making the season slightly later than normal.
• Demand remains quiet in Gippsland. A lot of pasture hay and silage was made in south Gippsland. 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

• Southwest Victoria have again received around 30mls of rain earlier in the week and will potentially receive more as the front passes through from SA over the next couple of days.
• Local farmers are around three quarters of the way through sowing, with oats and canola being a common inclusion to planting rotations this year. There has also been a great deal of spreading of lime and gypsum in the area.
• 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.
• Prices remain steady this week.
• Cereal hay: +/-0 ($240 to $280/t). Prices remain steady this week.
• Lucerne hay: +/-0 ($500 to $600/t). Prices remain steady this week.
• Straw: +/-0 ($80 to $100/t). Prices remain steady this week.
• Pasture hay: +/-0 ($150 to $180/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

• The last seven days have been dry and really ideal conditions for new season cropping following good widespread rain over the last few weeks. The possibility of rain again over the next 48 hours is likely with warmer temperatures and wind, the area is hopeful of some more decent falls.
• With an Autumn break now under their belt’s farmers are proceeding on with their cropping plans.
• Demand remains flat in southeast South Australia. There is a lot of straw on the market and farmers are eager to move this. Anything that has been stored undercover will continue to hold a better price.
• 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

• Central South Australia received over 110mls of rain for the month of April which is above average for this area.
• Seeding is in full swing with grain grower’s planting wheat and barley for the coming summer harvest. Oats for new season hay which for many growers in this area will be grown and bailed for export.
• Some relief hay is still being delivered to the pastural area of SA as they are still experiencing the dry.
• Demand remains quiet in central South Australia. There has been no real movement since the first rain episode. 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.
• No changes in pricing to note this week.
• Cereal hay: +/-0 ($200 to $225/t). Prices have remained steady this week.
• Lucerne hay: +/-0 ($400 to $480/t). Prices remain steady this week.
• Straw: +/- ($90 to $140/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

• Good widespread rain has been received during the last week in the west with a large storm front coming through, most areas reporting 20-30mls.
• More follow up rain would be ideal over the coming weeks, but the much-needed break has enabled the seeding to carry on with a bit more confidence. The wheat belt is busy with winter plantings of oats and wheat for new season hay. While the Margaret River area has been updating pastures with rye and clover plantings.
• Domestic demand has slowed in southwest Western Australia. Many are trying to get by on what feed they have as domestic prices are felt to be just too expensive. 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

• Northwest Tasmania recorded 160ml’s of rain for the month of April. May has brought 20ml’s in parts with another front currently rolling in. This is above average for this area and the next three months could be very similar.
• Northwest Tasmania remains green and the grass continues to be plentiful.
• Seeding is slowing off now as it’s getting to wet and cold. New pastures have been planted in the area with some rotating out paddocks previously with turnips to pasture.
• Demand for hay will increase in the next six to eight weeks with the continued wet and cold especially for those calving cattle in.
• 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.