National Summary
- Any growers through the southern states with later crops have done well, getting much better conditions compared to October.
- New season cereal and vetch hay production expected to be completed within the fortnight with expectation to Tasmania.
- Corn is being planted in northern Victoria for chop silage. South Gippsland farmers have been left with paddocks in disarray after ongoing wet conditions and will not get the opportunity to plant corn.
- Warmer conditions followed by summer rain will finish off feed in many areas. Demand is not expected to rise significantly until autumn.
- Little to no trade of domestic hay continues across most regions.
- Ramifications of a strong cattle market are still being felt on the eastern states with stock numbers now significantly reduced in many parts.
- Reports that exporters are looking to the west for good quality hay.
- 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 and boat cattle.
- Atherton Tablelands have had up and down conditions for making hay.
- The Darling Downs new season cereal hay is now in the bail, some of this has been impacted by late rain.
- Significant reduction in hay being made in the area.
- Summer rainfall would be ideal to carry rhodes grass and lucerne crops through.
- Parts of Queensland are still significantly dry.
- Areas are still not carrying big cattle numbers.
Southern Australia – Summary
- New South Wales and Victoria have been plagued by wet hay making conditions over the past two months.
- New South Wales and Northern Victoria continue to bale hay. Some of the biggest crops they have seen in years. Yields are expected to be 10/t plus on cereal crops.
- Central South Australia and into the Mallee are finishing off the season now with significantly weather damaged hay.
- Demand still expected to be down for some time.
Western Australia – Summary
- There is no demand at present. Some hay that hasn’t made the export grade will sold domestically.
- 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.
- Exporter hay grading well this season with some areas able to produce super premium.
- After a dry start to the season Western Australia has finished well.
- 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 in the east.
- Prices remain strong for all fodder types in WA.
Regional Commentary
Atherton Tablelands
- No rain to report, storms forecast for the coming weekend.
- With warmer conditions now rhodes grass is needing to be irrigated to keep it going.
- Demand continues to be slow in the area due to good paddock feed.
- Small amounts have moved locally for weaners and to Townsville for boat cattle.
- The Tablelands has been an area that has stayed with round bails, now some farmers are considering large squares as it is a far more cost-effective option especially with freight involved.
- An increase this week in pricing.
- Pasture (Rhodes Grass) hay: +$25 ($300 to $330). Prices up 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 this week.
- There is weather damaged hay in the region.
- Some growers will wait till the new year to plant millet.
- Many growers this year significantly reduced the amount of hay they made due to the very low demand in the area.
- Farmers waiting for the cattle market to come back before considering restocking.
- Reports that oaten hay made in the Downs has gone out to Longreach and Chinchilla this week.
- Cereal hay with limited rain damage is testing 12 plus for protein and 9 plus for ME.
- Demand still high for small lucerne squares.
- Small amount of barley straw being made.
- 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
- Average rainfall for November is 140mm, driest on record 30mm, North Coast is currently sitting at less than 10mm for the month.
- Paddock feed starting to dry off with temperatures up to 36 degrees.
- Inquiry is down on new season hay from previous years and growers will store as much as they can.
- Small amounts of hay moving for local farmers.
- Reports of new season oaten hay coming out of Victoria. This will only continue if the freight subsidy stays.
- Not enough flow in local streams to irrigate.
- Farmers wanting to plant millet and forage beans, will need to wait for rain.
- Cereal hay, straw, and lucerne prices quoted are for supplies to be carted into the region.
- A slight drop for cereal hay this week.
- Cereal hay: -$10 ($250 to $300/t). Prices down 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 this week.
- Most new season hay has had rain on it at some point now.
- There are some cereal crops still to be baled.
- There will be a big variance in the level of weather damage. There are small pockets that have produced some undamaged hay.
- Growers are now able to cut lucerne. Future cuts over the summer given the right conditions will be good quality.
- Crops were reported to still yield well after a good lead in.
- A large amount of rust in crops this year as well as disease in vetch due to the wet conditions.
- Hot weather now will start to impact paddock feed and summer rain will finish it off.
- Areas such as the Hawkesbury are having a good season which is impacting on demand in the Central West.
- Prices remain steady this week.
- Cereal hay: +/-0 ($240 to $280/t). Prices have eased 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.
- Growers are back making silage after a break due to weather conditions. Dairy farmers are onto a second cut now.
- Farmers are wanting to make as much silage as possible.
- With good rain again in the area paddock grass continues to do well.
- Demand remains quiet in the Bega Valley, no hay moving onto the coast.
- Some agistment stock that weren’t sold have returned to the region due to plenty of feed.
- 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
- Hotter conditions this week with patchy storms.
- Crops have been high yielding.
- Varying amounts of damage to new season cereal hay.
- The last fortnight has brought better hay making conditions, warm days, wind and no rain.
- Later crops made for hay have been able to be baled without rain.
- Very little demand in the area. Growers still have last season’s hay stored.
- 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 recorded this week.
- South Gippsland has been too wet for too long and has now dried out quickly with pasture going to head.
- Corn plantings may not happen in southern Gippsland this year due to the continued wet conditions and delays in the getting pastures off.
- Pasture hay being made in the Yarram area. Reports that it did need one last rain to finish it.
- Dairy farmers seeking good quality milking hay.
- Abundance of grass in the area varying quality.
- Farmers want grass off due to the fire risk.
- No changes to pricing.
- 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
- Hot weather and varied storm activity for the Southwest this week.
- Later hay made in the Mallee and Wimmera has been better quality due to minimal rain on it.
- Pasture hay now being baled in the south.
- Small amount of straw being made in comparison to last season.
- Inquiries only from dairy farmers wanting to plan ahead. They are still seeking out lasts seasons hay due to quality issues with new hay.
- Reports that hay going export with a very low grade is being bought for $130/t.
- No changes to pricing to report this week.
- Cereal hay: +/-0 ($200 to $230/t). Prices remain steady 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 significant rain to report this week.
- Quality and weather damage is varied in the area.
- Growers are baling pasture hay that’s had minimal to no rain on it.
- Hay season will finish within the fortnight.
- Grazing crops isn’t common practice in the area which brought big heavy crops this year.
- Demand remains very slow in Southeast South Australia. It will be very difficult to sell new season hay.
- There is still straw stacked in paddocks from last season.
- Summer rain will finish off feed.
- Demand not expected to increase until autumn.
- 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
- Dry week with hot wind from the north causing total fire bans with machinery having to stop.
- Hay production has finished for the area.
- There is a significant amount of weather damaged new season hay with a big variance in quality.
- Reports of exporters taking 7th grade hay for $65/t.
- Exporters are looking closely at what they can take and reassessing values as well.
- Farmers will run stock on stubbles now.
- A number of hayshed fires in the area over the last fortnight.
- No domestic trade at present.
- 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
- 45mm recorded in the Williams area for the month of November.
- The hay season is all but finished now.
- With not the best start to the season and trying conditions at the start of bailing the West has finished well.
- Crops in the Williams area yielded 8-9/t, further west crops averaged 4-5/t.
- Yields up on last season.
- Exporters turning to Western Australia for quality hay – premium grade.
- Damaged hay that hasn’t made export selling out of the paddock for $180/t to the coast region.
- Cereal hay down this week.
- Cereal hay: -$35 ($280 to $350/t). Prices down 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.
- A large amount of grass silage has been made in the region.
- Plenty of good quality paddock feed still available for now.
- First cut lucerne has being going into silage any that has been made into hay has been in high demand.
- Some grass is running to head now and is being cut now for hay.
- No major demand but farmers are considering options and want to put hay away now for the future.
- Still mush discussion on new season pricing but no changes to report.
- 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.