National Summary
- Storms early in the week across South Australia, Victoria and Southern New South Wales brought 20-30mm of rain.
- Many parts expected to experience over 40 degrees this weekend.
- New season cereal and vetch hay production complete. Pasture hay continues to be made in Southwest Victoria and parts of Central New South Wales.
- Summer plantings have started in Northern Victoria and New South Wales aided by the recent rainfall. Lucerne continues to be in demand, with most moving to equine customers.
- Good quality cereal and vetch hay without damage is expected to increase in price in the coming months due to the limited availability.
- 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. Some cattle farmers in northern New South Wales taking advantage of cereal hay prices, in particular oaten hay and filling sheds.
- Reports that exporters are looking to the west still 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 have finished 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
- Dry and hot conditions for the Tablelands this week.
- The area is well below average rainfall for November.
- With warmer conditions now rhodes grass is needing to be irrigated to keep it going.
- Hay made post grass seed harvest is coming on the market.
- Paddock feed has dried off now.
- Demand continues to be slow.
- Small amounts continue to move locally for weaners and to Townsville for boat cattle.
- No changes to pricing this week.
- Pasture (Rhodes Grass) hay: +/-0 ($300 to $330).
- 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.
- Less than 10mm has fallen for the month of November in the St George area.
- Growers are waiting for rain before planting summer crops.
- Many growers this year significantly reduced the amount of hay they made due to the minimal inquiry.
- High cattle prices continue to impact demand in the area.
- Reports that oaten hay made in the Downs still heading west where conditions remain dry.
- Demand still high for small lucerne squares.
- 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 and hot conditions continue in the region.
- Inquiry is down on new season hay.
- Minimal amounts of hay moving locally.
- Small squares of rhodes grass wanted by the equine industry.
- Paddock feed has dried off.
- Only farmers on the river system that have irrigation are starting to plant summer crops.
- Cereal hay, straw, and lucerne prices quoted are for supplies to be carted into the region.
- No change to prices this week.
- Cereal hay: +/-0 ($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
- Less than 5mm of rain fell in the Dubbo area, further south around Forbes received 14mm.
- Most new season hay has had rain on it at some point.
- Majority of growers have transitioned to grain harvest.
- Some pasture hay being baled in the area.
- Demand for pasture hay from cattle farmers in the Bourke region.
- There is a big variance in the level of weather damage. There are small pockets that have produced some undamaged hay.
- Barley straw is being baled despite no demand. Good quality product that will be of value to hold onto.
- Hot weather now will start to impact paddock feed and summer rain will finish it off.
- 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
- 24mm of rain recorded this week.
- Silage continues to be made in the area.
- Farmers are wanting to make as much silage as possible.
- Paddock grass continues to do well following more rain.
- 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
- Storm activity at the start of the week with reports of 20mm falling.
- Majority of hay now baled in the area.
- Crops have been high yielding.
- Later hay crops have been baled without any weather damage.
- Very little demand in the area.
- Paddock feed has dried off now with hot conditions.
- Growers now working on summer rotations.
- 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
- Up to 23mm of rain was recorded at the start of the week.
- South Gippsland continues to be hampered by wet conditions.
- 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 continues to be made in the northern parts of Gippsland.
- Abundance of grass in the area with varying quality.
- Dairy farmers continue to seek out good quality milking hay.
- 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
- 30mm of rain fell in the south this week.
- 14mm further north in the Horsham area.
- Cereal and vetch hay production has been completed.
- Later hay made in the Mallee and Wimmera has been better quality due to minimal rain on it.
- Warm conditions have enabled growers to get back to pasture hay following the rain earlier in the week.
- 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.
- 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
- Less than 5mm of rain fell across the region.
- Varied qualities on new season cereal hay.
- Growers are baling pasture hay that’s had minimal to no rain on it.
- Hay season will finish within the next ten days.
- Demand remains very slow in Southeast South Australia.
- 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
- Hay production has finished for the area.
- Early hay significantly downgraded due to weather damage.
- Upper mid north received 70mm of rain in one event while growers had hay down.
- Big yielding season.
- Exporters have meet their quoter.
- Growers sheds are full and there is still hay sitting in paddocks.
- Significant amount of straw is now being made.
- Reports growers will put straw under cover and leave the damaged hay outside.
- No domestic trade at present. Hay that was going to NT on hold while grain harvest takes place.
- 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
- No rain to report this week.
- The hay season is finished, and many growers are well into grain harvest.
- North of Albany hay crops were low yielding, under 3/t with a long-term average of 5/t.
- Quality for these growers in the east was ok with two thirds going export.
- Exporters still turning to Western Australia for quality hay – premium grade.
- Domestic demand is always minimal in the west but continues to be supported by repeat customers.
- No changes in pricing to report this week.
- Cereal hay: +/-0 ($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
- Two days of drizzle this week.
- 20mm of rain forecast for this weekend.
- Damp conditions have slowed down silage making.
- Abundance of silage to be made in the Northwest.
- Paddock feed is excellent, keeping demand down.
- Farmers in the area planting turnips for summer grazing.
- Contractors in the region busy with pasture tops ups.
- No major trade in the region, some silage is being sold and moved locally.
- No pricing changes to report this week.
- 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.