National Commentary
- As we head into spring a dryer week has been recorded for all regions.
- Growers are concerned about reports of a wet spring in Southern Australia. In a year where there will be a substantial amount of hay made, they cannot afford to have anything weather damaged.
- Trading has all but completely stopped as buyers await new season how and pricing. If the season stays on track pricing will be significantly down on previous years making it a buyer’s market.
- Prices have remained unchanged this week. There is still very little demand across all states at present with many getting through on what they have and good paddock feed.
- The cattle market continues its high and this has played a big part in the low demand.
- In general, it is hard to gauge exact pricing due to the low inquiry for hay in all parts of Australia.
- Boarder closures and permit requirements continue to be a concern for contractors as we 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 and Northern Victoria with advanced crops. 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
- Malanda received 25mm of rain this past week, the falls were not widespread. Light rain is forecast until the middle of next week for the Tablelands.
- Demand continues to be slow in the area. Local growers are putting rhodes grass away in sheds.
- 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 for the past week.
- More rain would be ideal around the end of September to finish the season off. There are some parts of the Daring Downs that have missed out on the better falls over the last two months.
- The warm conditions at present could quickly finish the season off.
- Barley silage going into pits in the Wallumbilla area this week. In comparison to last season there is a lot more silage being made in the Downs.
- Demand remains quiet in the Darling Downs due to low stock numbers in the area. Feedlots also not wanting significant amounts either.
- 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
- 10-20mm of rain forecast for this weekend.
- Silage is slowly starting to be cut close to the coast, this will pick up within the month.
- Demand is minimal with some farmers only looking for roughage to break up green feed.
- There is still a large amount of last season’s silage in the area.
- 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 this week, there were two frosts recorded.
- Growers have been putting out urea and spraying for rust. Crops are still 4-6 weeks away from being cut for hay.
- 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.
- Traditionally hay from the Central West would be sold into New England, Hunter Valley and the Tablelands. Growers are currently seeing if there is any demand for new season hay to be bought straight from the paddock.
- 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 Bega area this week, there has been two significantly windy days.
- 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.
- Farmers are planting and replanting oats and rye grass.
- Silage will start to be cut in approximately two weeks.
- Paddock grass should pick up in October.
- Demand remains quiet in the Bega Valley. Dairy farmers are trying to get by with what they have and there is still stock away on agistment in the Central West.
- 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.
- Crops in the area have lifted following widespread rain.
- Advanced crops are being made into silage. Pasture and hay boosters will be going out once silage has been cut.
- Very little demand in the area.
- 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
- No rain to report this week, South Gippsland is still wet but areas higher up around Yarram could take more rain now.
- Depending on conditions silage will start mid-month.
- 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.
- Hay is being listed for sale but there is no significant interest.
- 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
- No rain in the last seven days.
- 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.
- Early Vetch is being cut in the Mallee. Before the last rain it started to flower due to slight stress and has kept flowering. Early barley will also be cut for hay within the fortnight.
- 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
- No rain to report his week.
- 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
- No rain recorded in the last seven days.
- The area is starting to need follow up rain. Monday is expected to bring warm temperatures – 28 degrees.
- Crops are starting to come out in head.
- Hay is being cut for sheep farmers, vetch and oats. With the dry period mid-season, the vetch is lighter.
- By the end of September there will be a significant amount of hay cut for domestic and export.
- A big turnaround in the season after not recording any significant rain in May, June and early July.
- Demand remains quiet in Central South Australia this week, feedlots are taking small amounts.
- 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
- 10-20mm of rain was recorded in the Brunswick this week.
- Cattle have come off pastures in this area and growers are spreading with super potash.
- Reports of oats being ready to be cut in the Lake Grace region.
- End of September will be a telling point for the wheat belt area. Rain has not been as widespread and winter plantings were later.
- Feedlots are taking straw and equine clients continue to take pasture hay from the south coast as required. Currently no one is selling cereal hay 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
- No rain to report this week.
- Crops are looking good in the area. Warmers days will see them take off and lift extra moisture away from the roots which is needed.
- Urea is going out on paddocks now that they are more accessible.
- Lucerne plantings need to get underway.
- Inquiries have been steady from lamb farmers.
- 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.