National Commentary
- Most of the southern parts of Australia and Western Australia are forecast to receive rain over the next week. Rain will be ideal for some to finish off crops but for others it will be a hindrance with hay on the ground.
- 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.
- With the uncertainty around how the season will finish there has been new inquiry in Victoria from farmers wanting to secure last season’s good quality vetch and cereal hay that has been stored under cover.
- Prices continue to be unchanged, there is still very little demand across all states at present.
- It was thought growers would see more inquiry for new season hay with buyers and farmers wanting to take advantage of predicted lower prices, but this is yet to come.
- Boarder closures and permit requirements continue to be a concern for contractors as the 100km bubble does not allow them to reach all clients. All eyes are on Victoria as restrictions ease in regional parts.
- 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 continue to do well across New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia. With most areas receiving good consistent rainfall.
- The demand that was expected to be felt over winter hasn’t come. Farmers have been well enough stocked themselves and grass has stayed viable over winter due to the mild conditions.
- Silage season has commenced in Central NSW and Northern Victoria with advanced crops. Central New South Wales will start cutting hay within the fortnight.
- 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 depending on quality.
- 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.
- Cutting has begun in the east and also the top of the Wheat Belt. Warm conditions are quickly finishing off the season.
- Good rain that came late in the season has been ideal for many parts finishing off crops. There are areas that have missed out especially the east and growers are expecting yields to be below average.
- Prices remain strong for all fodder types in WA.
Regional Commentary
Atherton Tablelands
- No hay being made this past week due to the wet conditions. The coast has received significant rain.
- 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
- No significant rain to report, it is drying out quickly now.
- Cutting barley and oaten hay, some of this has been irrigated.
- Lucerne is still strong due to a shortage. Small local horse events have been allowed to go ahead which has slightly reflected on demand.
- Demand in general 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
- 20-25mm of rain fell over the region a week ago and more is forecast for the weekend.
- Oat crops are currently being cut on the North Coast and silage continues to be made in the area well.
- 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.
- No inquiries for new season hay.
- 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 over the past week. Rain is forecast over the next seven days, up to 20mm.
- Growers are actively spraying for rust and seeing a good response to this.
- Cereal hay is ready to be cut in the area, waiting on the rain front to pass through first.
- There is expected to be a significant amount of new season hay made in the area.
- Vetch and lucerne crops in the region are outstanding.
- Minimal demand and no major inquiry for new season fodder.
- 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. The area is looking for rain now as it starts to dry out.
- Some farmers have been irrigating, 25mm of rain would be ideal.
- Growers are making silage now.
- Paddock grass should pick up in October depending on weather conditions.
- Demand remains quiet in the Bega Valley.
- 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. 15-20mm of rain is forecast for the Valley over the next seven days.
- Crops in the area are doing well with the warmer days.
- Growers have been spraying fungicide as crops have suffered from rust with the wet conditions in July and August.
- Advanced crops are being made into silage. Still three to four weeks before crops will be cut for 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.
- Standard orders of cereal and vetch hay coming in from the Mallee.
- Hay is being listed for sale but there is no significant new inquiry.
- 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 being made in the Warrnambool area.
- 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, as well as barley for cereal hay.
- There have been inquiries for last seasons stored vetch. Farmers wanting to secure a good quality product now as they are concerned over the uncertainty of the season.
- No changes to pricing to report this week.
- 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
- Light rain has passed over late in the week with more forecast for the next seven days.
- Rain now would be ideal to finish the season off.
- Crops continue to do well.
- 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
- Rain was varied this past week with some areas receiving as much as 10-15mm and other parts less than 5mm.
- Rain forecast on and off the for the next seven days.
- There is still enough moisture to finish off crops.
- Crops are starting to come out in head. Cutting will start on the early crops once a clear ten days is forecast.
- 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. There has also been some head into central Queensland.
- 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
- 20mm of rain seven days ago in the Lake’s area. More light rain forecast over the weekend.
- It had come in hot and dry for the Lake’s region which forced growers to start cutting.
- Yields will be done for the eastern part of the Southwest and at this stage will struggle to make the top-quality grade for export.
- Growers are wanting to make as much hay as possible while conditions are fine. Potential large rain forecast for October.
- Margaret River area will be able to make silage now depending on conditions.
- 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
- A relatively dry week for Northwest Tasmania.
- 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.