National Commentary
- Reports across all areas that it is one of the best seasons being experienced.
- Growers who traditionally produce 50% hay and 50% grain in Southern Australia are now considering pushing as much through to grain as they can. With the reports of a wetter than average spring and low hay prices the risk is too high for some.
- Prices have remained unchanged this week. There is still very little demand across all states at present, many are now waiting new season hay to hit the market.
- New season hay prices are expected to be well down on previous years but with some parts only just getting underway there is no official indication of what these are yet.
- Despite demand being down it may be a year where farmers will take the advantage to increase stocks for when conditions aren’t as ideal.
- 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 the 100km bubble does not allow them to reach all clients.
- We caution buyers and recommend feed-testing and viewing fodder before purchasing to be sure of quality of the feed.
Northern Australia – Summary
- 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. Barley hay is now being made in the area.
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
- Light rain has fallen across the Tablelands this week.
- Demand continues to be slow in the area with lower weaner numbers then previous years. Local growers are putting rhodes grass away in sheds.
- The area would have normally dried off by now but there is still plenty of green feed.
- 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
- Rain forecast for the end of the week and weekend.
- Moisture levels are still good, and the winter has been better in comparison to the last two.
- There is an oversupply of new season barley hay.
- Lucerne is still strong due to a shortage. Good summer rain required to bring bore levels up so growers can increase plantings again.
- 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
- 10mm of rain for the North Coast and more forecast.
- Silage and haylage is being made – rye, rhodes grass and oats.
- Hay will be ready to be cut next week but weather conditions may not be ideal.
- Grass will take off with current rain and push the small amount of local demand down.
- 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 significant rain to report.
- 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 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 to report this week.
- Spring rain will be needed to keep the season going.
- Silage is starting to be cut now in the Bega area.
- 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
- No significant rain to report this week.
- Crops in the area are doing well with the warm days. Many growers put out a second application of urea before the last rain.
- Advanced crops are being made into silage. Still four weeks away from cutting hay.
- 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 significant rain to report this week.
- Depending on conditions silage will start by the end of September.
- Spring weather in the area is seeing paddock feed increase now.
- Standard orders of 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. The south has started to dry out and spring rain would be ideal now.
- Silage is being made and will increase towards the end of the month and into October.
- There are still good supplies of local feed. Farmers are only buying what they need to get through.
- Vetch continues to the cut in the Mallee.
- 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.
- Inquiry has started to grow for new season hay with buyers wanting to take advantage of the forecast price drop.
- 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.
- Spring rain now would help to finish off the season.
- 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
- 52mm of rain was recorded in Margaret River area this week and northern parts of the Wheat Belt received a timely 20mm.
- The top of the Wheat Belt has had good spring growth. Oaten hay being cut now in the area and will go for either export or domestic depending on quality.
- Forecasts for rain in October, growers are wanting to make as much hay as possible before then.
- Reports that the eastern parts have not received as much rain and crops are struggling.
- Margaret River area will be able to make silage within the fortnight.
- 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, there is rain forecast for the next ten days.
- With a wet start the crops have been slower to take off, but good spring conditions are seeing them come away now.
- Concerns over significant rainfall for late in the season.
- If the conditions stay favourable it will be a good fodder season.
- Lucerne plantings need to get underway.
- Inquiries have been steady.
- 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.