National Summary
- Most areas have reported a dryer week which has enabled some parts to dry out, Gippsland is still significantly wet.
- The Mallee and Wimmera areas are reporting good conditions, this is important for farmers in Gippsland and the Western Districts who rely on this area to produce good quality hay.
- A milder winter has provided plenty of green feed for stock through New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia, easing demand.
- There is expected to be high yields this season and a significant amount of hay produced. Silage has started in the north, New South Wales and right down to Northern Victoria. Many growers taking the opportunity to turn advanced crops into pit silage.
- Demand is expected to be slow for some time and growers want the ability to store as much as they can on farm.
- Prices have remained unchanged this week. There is still very little demand across all states at present.
- In general, it is hard to gauge exact pricing due to the low inquiry for hay in all parts of Australia. New season hay prices are expected to be well down.
- Boarder closures and permit requirements continue to be a concern for contractors as we start to approach the new silage and hay season.
- We caution buyers and recommend feed-testing and viewing fodder before purchasing to be sure of quality of the feed.
Northern Australia – Summary
- After some rain, inquiry has largely eased in northern Australia. Demand in the Atherton Tablelands remains steady with a small amount moving for weaner cattle and into trade stores for the equine industry.
- Atherton Tablelands have had much better conditions for making hay over the last month.
- The Darling Downs crops are well on track following good rainfall over the last two months. Silage season is starting in the area with some early crops.
Southern Australia – Summary
- Crops are up and doing well across New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia. With most areas continuing to receive good consistent rain.
- The demand that was expected to be felt over winter hasn’t come. With most farmers being well enough stocked themselves and grass staying viable they haven’t had to source extra roughage to carry their stock over.
- Silage season has commenced in Central NSW with advanced crops and Northern Victoria is also underway. Growers are anticipating a significant amount of hay to be made this season. With many making sure they have the undercover storage now to carry as much as they can with demand expected to slow for some time.
Western Australia – Summary
- Confidence has been restored to the west following more significant rain. There is no demand at present and will stay like this until new season hay is available with a majority of it going for export.
- 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.
- There are reports of increased plantings for new season hay for export and there is always a possibility that this extra supply will be available on the domestic market.
- Good widespread rain has been recorded after several dry months. More rain is still needed to finish the season off.
- Prices remain strong for all fodder types in WA.
Regional Commentary
Atherton Tablelands
- No significant rain to report this week in the Tablelands. A dryer week is expected next week.
- 4-5 consecutive clear days are needed to successfully make hay.
- Demand continues to be slow in the area. Some farmers may need additional hay to make up for new season grass that was burnt off by heavy frosts in July.
- Prices are not expected to come back any further.
- Pasture (Rhodes Grass) hay: +/-0 ($280 to $300). 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
- No rain to report in the past seven days, the area did receive 40mm a fortnight ago.
- The rain has given winter crops a much-needed boost. More rain would be ideal around the end of September to finish the season off.
- Silage happening slowly, hay will start early October depending on conditions.
- Demand remains quiet in the Darling Downs due to low stock numbers in the area. Feedlots also not taking significant quantities of feed.
- No changes to pricing this week.
- Cereal hay: +/-0 ($300 to $320/t). Prices remain steady this week.
- Lucerne hay: +/-0 ($400 to $450/t). Prices remain steady this week.
- Straw: +/-0 ($60 to $70/t). Prices remain steady this week.
- Pasture hay: +/-0 ($200 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.
North Coast NSW
- No rain recorded this week on the North Coast, days have been warm reaching 25 degrees.
- The area is holding good moisture following consistent rain over the last four months.
- Rhodes grass is being made into hay. Unusual for this time of year but the milder conditions have made it ideal for it.
- Demand is slow and anything being made will be stored. Feed stores will take standard orders of small squares.
- Silage is slowly starting to be cut this will pick up within the month.
- Cereal hay, straw, and lucerne prices quoted are for supplies to be carted into the region.
- Prices remain steady this week, it is still 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 ($300 to $350/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 for the Central West, giving the area a break and an opportunity to dry out.
- Silage is starting to be cut, mostly advanced crops. Some of these crops were frosted and have reshot at the bottom. Growers will take a silage cut and then in October make hay if growth permits.
- A good season has given farmers more options including being able to put silage into pits. These can be left and accessed in dryer times.
- There is expected to be a significant amount of new season hay made in the area. Growers are preparing to store majority of the new season cut.
- Demand is minimal and is predicted it could stay that way now for some time. There is more feed in paddocks then needed.
- A small amount of weather damaged cereal hay is moving, it is being feed out as roughage to break up the green feed.
- No change to prices this week.
- Cereal hay: +/-0 ($310 to $350/t). Prices remain steady this week.
- Lucerne hay: +/-0 ($500 to $700/t). Prices remain steady this week.
- Straw: +/-0 ($60 to $80/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
- No rain recorded in the last week for Bega.
- Warmer weather needed to get grass growing following good rainfall earlier this month.
- Follow up rain will be needed to keep the season going. September and October are the windiest months, the area can quickly dry out after this time.
- Silage will start to be cut in approximately two weeks.
- Demand remains quiet in the Bega Valley. It has been reported that some aid hay has still been coming into the area.
- All prices remain steady this week but with limited trade, prices may vary.
- 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 Goulburn/Murray Valley have had a dry week following on from a wet fortnight where the Valley received over 80mm.
- Crops in the area have lifted following the rain.
- Silage has started in the area. Pasture and hay boosters will be going out once silage has been cut.
- Very little demand in the area as winter hasn’t been as wet and cold as first predicted.
- 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 ($70 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
- 30-50mm has been recorded this past week in Gippsland with another 10-15mm forecast for the weekend.
- The area is significantly wet, reports that not only the flats but also the hills.
- Helicopters are being used in South Gippsland to spread fertiliser as paddocks are not accessible due to the wet conditions.
- It will be at least four weeks before paddocks are dry enough for silage to start, providing the wet conditions ease.
- Farmers, predominantly dairy are only picking up a load as they need. Inquiries are for weather damaged cereal for milkers and vetch for spring calvers. Cereal and vetch hay coming in from the Mallee.
- The season can still be wet through until the end of September and this will reflect on demand.
- No changes to pricing and it should hold at this until new season hay comes onto the market.
- Cereal hay: +/-0 ($280 to $330/t). Prices remain steady this week.
- Lucerne hay: +/-0 ($550 to $650/t). Prices remain steady this week.
- Straw: +/-0 ($70 to $85/t). Prices remain steady this week.
- Pasture hay: +/-0 ($130 to $150/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
- 30mm of rain recorded just over a week ago.
- South of Hamilton down to Warrnambool have had the lightest rainfall.
- Silage is starting to be cut and will increase over the next month.
- There are still good supplies of local feed. Farmers are only buying what they need to get through.
- Local demand remains steady this week. Up to five B-doubles are coming in from the Mallee to dairies weekly. These are normal orders and not new inquiries.
- Mallee and Wimmera areas are having good seasons, there will be plenty of cereal hay and vetch available to move into the Southwest.
- No changes to pricing to report this week. Vetch from the Mallee is being delivered into the Southwest for $280-$340/t.
- Cereal hay: +/-0 ($200 to $230/t). Prices have eased this week.
- Lucerne hay: +/-0 ($500 to $600/t). Prices remain steady this week.
- Straw: +/- ($60 to $80/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
- 40-60mm of widespread has fallen in the Southeast.
- Crops continue to do well. More rain would be ideal at the end of September.
- Demand remains very slow in Southeast South Australia. Growers looking to November and December for inquiries to pick up, this is all dependent on conditions going into summer.
- Lamb growers in the area that have kept stock after the market crashed still have plenty of feed in paddocks.
- No change to pricing this week.
- Cereal hay: +/-0 ($220 to $250/t). Prices remain steady this week.
- Lucerne hay: +/-0 ($330 to $350/t). Prices remains steady this week.
- Straw: +/-0 ($100 to $120/t). Prices remain steady this week.
- Pasture hay: +/-0 ($180 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.
Central South Australia
- 30-40mm of widespread rain was recorded just over a week ago.
- A big turnaround in the season after not recording any rain since April.
- Crops are back on track, those that were planted later in the season are still looking a bit behind.
- In previous years oat crops have struggled to come back after the frosts and dry but appear to be doing well this year. This may be due to a change in variety.
- Urea went out before the last rain, some growers considering another application on wheat crops to help fill the heads and increase protein.
- Demand remains quiet in Central South Australia. There is confidence in the export market that the demand will still be there for new season hay.
- No changes in pricing to report this week.
- Cereal hay: +/-0 ($200 to $250/t). Prices remain 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
- 10mm of rain was recorded in the past week. Good follow up to the 25-30mm received three weeks ago.
- Confidence amongst growers is up, more rain is required before the end of September to finish off the season.
- Reasonable hectares have been planted for hay this year. Domestic requests mainly come from the South Coast of WA and now with some rain that area has enough feed.
- End of September will be a telling point, more rain could produce above average yields.
- Demand will traditionally pick up in November after new season hay is in the bale. Currently no one is selling but there are no inquiries either.
- No changes to pricing to report this week.
- Cereal hay: +/-0 ($330 to $370/t). Prices remain largely 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
- 35mm of widespread rain has been recorded in the Northwest over the last ten days. Forecast is for 1-10mm every day for the next week.
- Cold change expected this weekend.
- Everything is still draining away ok, but more rain will make it difficult to get on paddocks.
- Grass has been growing well but the cold change will slow things down again.
- Demand did creep up after the last cold snap from farmers carrying lambs through after the market crashed. This has dropped away again with good paddock feed.
- Reports of farmers getting ready to plant rye/oats/clover now.
- There is very little to no lucerne, pasture hay or straw in the Northwest.
- Prices have held this week and are not expected to come down any further.
- Cereal hay: +/-0 ($220 to $280/t) Prices remain steady this week.
- Lucerne hay: +/-0 ($300 to $350/t) Prices have eased 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.