National Summary
- Most areas are now reporting that new season crops are up and looking good. The Darling Downs and Southwest Western Australia looking for good rainfall now.
- Many parts across New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia and Tasmania have reported three to four consecutive days of heavy frosts, some places getting down to -4. Demand is expected to lift in the coming weeks when cattle and dairy farmers look too good roughage to carry calving stock through the colder months. In more northern parts farmers are looking for good quality hay for weaner cattle. The demand isn’t significant as numbers are down due to heavy destocking during the dry.
- Some areas are borderline wet such as Gippsland and even Northern Victoria after the continued rainfall in these parts. Only light falls required to keep these areas going now until the spring.
- A traditional season of supply and demand is expected as we look ahead. Continued great conditions will mean supply is plentiful. Exporters in Western Australia potentially looking to take more hay this season and South Australian exporters talking with existing clients, but an increase has not been indicated at this stage.
- Prices have again remained steady this week. In general, it is hard to gauge exact pricing due to the very limited movement of fodder.
- 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. Atherton Tablelands season continues to be plagued by light showers and many overcast days, making it very difficult to get anything in the bail.
- Winter plantings have been finalised in the Darling Downs area with a majority using irrigation to give the crops a head start due to no significant rainfall since March.
- The chopped silage season is also at the tail end now and will break for approximately six weeks before new season crops are ready.
Southern Australia – Summary
- There has been good continued rainfall over much of southern Australia and seeding of new season crops is now reaching completion. The first of the crops are now up and looking good in South Australia and Victoria.
- With a good widespread autumn break the demand for hay to northern parts is no longer required. Green feed has been in abundance and early sown crops in Central West NSW a huge success with many being able to graze.
- With winter being well and truly felt now in the south we look to demand over the colder months as the area is bracing for potentially a long, cold and wet time.
- 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 still exist in Northern Victoria and South Australia and potentially a flood of quality new season hay will cause a rush to offload current stores.
Western Australia – Summary
- Hay and straw have moved fast and is in limited supply. A lot of hay in the state is now committed. Any new inquiries are struggling to secure fodder for the next few months to get them through the winter.
- 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. Exporters are already in discussions with growers regarding new season hay and demand looks to be on the increase from last season.
- 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 get growers through to the spring.
Regional Commentary
Atherton Tablelands
- The Tablelands are still receiving continuous showers, with more rain forecast for the weekend.
- The area is green, and the damp conditions are keeping the feed fresh. With the overcast weather it’s making it very hard to get the drying time needed for making hay. A lot of hay is getting stuck on the ground and ending up as mulch for the avocado growers.
- Chopping of corn silage is coming to an end in the area. Demand has increased slightly for farmers wanting feed for weaner cattle.
- 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
- Up to 7ml’s of rain has been recorded in the Darling Downs this week. The area is set to receive significant falls this weekend with anything from 20-40ml’s being forecast.
- Chopping of sorghum silage and corn has now come to an end.
- Farmers are working towards the end of the planting season. Some growers are still seeding barley, this will be taken through to be chopped or made into hay. Those that have irrigation have been running their pivots over the new plantings to get them up and going.
- Some of the first barley crops planted earlier on in the season could be cut for hay as soon as two weeks’ time.
- 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.
- 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
- North Coast have recorded 30-50ml’s this past week. Conditions are excellent and growers are looking to a continued good season.
- Farmers have finished off winter plantings now and will look to a grazing rotation and top dressing once the cattle are off.
- Oaten hay has never had a huge demand in the area, but cattle graziers are realising the benefits of this variety.
- Demand continues to be quiet in North Coast NSW. There has been a slight amount of inquiry/movement for farmers wanting good quality feed for weaners. Cooler temperatures over the next couple of months may also trigger an increase. 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.
Central West NSW
- No rain to report in Central West NSW, there are forecasts for rain over the weekend and towards the end of next week.
- The area has had good grass up until now but heavy frosts this past week will be starting to burn off the last of the autumn feed.
- Some new season crops that were planted earlier on have finished a grazing rotation. Farmers are spreading urea and spraying herbicides.
- Demand is very quiet in Central West at present but expect that it will increase in the coming months as farmers look to balance out the grazing crops with potentially second grade cereal hay.
- Good quality irrigated lucerne is still asking $650/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
- No rainfall to report in the Bega area this week.
- The long-range outlook is not looking great for this area especially as we head into the colder months. It will be a stretch for cattle producers and dairy farmers to make personal stocks last through until August.
- Those that made silage on their runoff blocks are already starting to transport some of this back to feed stock. Crops that were sown after the good rain in March have been lost now due zero rainfall in the area. If a break is received those than can justify it will have to replant these crops so as to have feed come springtime.
- Demand remains quiet in the Bega Valley. Again, farmers are trying to get by with what they have. The prices quoted are for hay and straw to be carted into the region.
- 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.
Goulburn/Murray Valley
- The area has had several days of heavy frosts this past week getting down to -4 on the weekend. Goulburn Murray is forecast to receive some light falls over the weekend.
- The need for good quality roughage for cattle producers may be needed much sooner this season. Potentially the Goulburn Murray Valley will be in for a long, cold and wet winter.
- Growers are reporting difficulty getting onto paddocks due to wet and will struggle to spread fertiliser and spray the traditional way. It may be a season where planes are used in place of land machinery to get these jobs done.
- The valley is still very green, and feed continues to grow. Growth is much slower now but still grazing well.
- Enquiry is slow, there is no hay moving from the region compared to a couple of months ago. Sheds are still primarily fall due to contracts in the north not being fulfilled.
- All prices remain steady this week.
- Cereal hay: +/-0 ($190 to $220/t). Prices remain steady this week.
- Lucerne hay: +/-0 ($450 to $500/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
- No significant rainfall to report this week for Gippsland. A chance of showers this weekend and possibly mid next week.
- Feed continues to grow, more slowly but it is still maintaining stock.
- South Gippsland is still fairly wet but other areas are drying out nicely. Farmers are commenting that it’s the best season they have seen in a few years.
- The chopping of corn is finished now, much later season and was a push at the end with wet conditions plaguing harvest. Growers will turn to fertilising and weed control programs now.
- 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.
Southwest Victoria
- Southwest Victoria have had a relatively dry week, reporting only light showers. Rain is forecast for the coming weekend. Only a couple of light frosts so far.
- Farmers in the local area are working on urea and spraying programs now for pasture crops.
- Charlton which is located in the Wimmera are having a great season. The Southwest will benefit from this as this is one of the area’s they rely on for good quality cereal hay.
- Local demand remains steady in Southwest Victoria. Some cereal/oaten hay has been delivered in from the Mallee over the past week. Very reduced demand at this stage as cattle farmers continue to be self-sufficient. 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
- Southeast South Australia have reported no rain but will potentially see some falls this weekend.
- Farmers are now coming to the end of winter panting and everything is on track for a good season. The first of the crops are well and truly up and doing well.
- Demand remains flat in southeast South Australia. There has been some nervous selling potentially feeling that any old and damaged stocks need to be moved before a flood of new season hay comes onto the market in the spring. Demand will creep up as it does for most areas when feed is needed to carry over stock during the cold months.
- 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
- An icy week for Central South Australia with no rain to report. A front is forecast for this weekend and could bring up to 10ml’s of rain.
- Crops are up and looking good with the best germination seen for quite some time.
- Canola crops in the area are currently being spread with urea.
- The quantity of hay grown this year hasn’t dropped back so potentially there will be a lot of new hay on the market. Some sheds are still holding hay in the area and there may be a quick need to move this to make room for new season stocks.
- Demand remains quiet in central South Australia. There is hay movement but majority of this was contracted back earlier in the season and is headed for feedlots.
- 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
- Southwest Western Australia are currently receiving some patchy rain with heavier rain falling closer to Esperance. The southern area continues to do better than the top of the Wheat Belt.
- Hay crops are up and looking good at this stage in the south with conditions ok. The last of grain crops going in now, with wheat plantings still being increased in place of barley.
- Some export hay growers have increased plantings for new season hay. Given the right conditions and that it goes on to meet requirements there is a certainty that this extra hay will be snapped up for export.
- 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. Growers have had to turn new inquiries down as they don’t have the supply.
- 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 have had a run of hard frosts over the last week getting down as low as -4. No rain to report but forecasts for the weekend could bring up to 15ml’s. Its dryer now then it was 6-8 weeks ago.
- Winter cropping is finished now as it’s just too cold to try and plant anything else. Cereal crops are up, mostly looking good with some lighter sections where it’s got to wet, or the water has laid on the paddocks. Farmers would normally consider re-sowing these areas but with the soil temperatures dropped away now it won’t be feasible.
- Demand for hay has increased with inquiries coming from many sections including sheep, dry cattle and dairy. Farmers that had cereal hay stored outside have realised the rain over the last few months has caused some damage, so this is being sold now at a reduced price. There is very little to no lucerne and pasture hay in the area.
- A slight drop in price for cereal hay this week, everything else remains steady.
- Cereal hay: -30 ($260 to $310/t) Prices are down 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.