National Summary
- Milder conditions across the southern states following a number of windy and hot days.
- Growers are now concentrating on their grain harvest.
- High grading lucerne continues to be in demand, with most moving to equine customers and chaffing mills.
- It continues to be a buyer’s market with prices well down on previous years.
- Excellent agistment opportunities in the north of New South Wales following the completion of harvest also pushing demand down.
- Most areas are still reporting to have good dry feed which will carry stock through the summer unless impacted by rain.
- Demand not expected to lift for some time due to stock numbers continuing to reduce and famers carrying enough feed.
- Conditions this year mean the quality of hay on the market will vary dramatically. Potentially undamaged new season hay will be very hard to source.
- 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 needing rain now for summer cropping.
- The Darling Downs new season cereal hay is now in the bale, some of this has been impacted by late rain.
- Significant reduction in hay being made in the area this season.
- 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. Most growers have switched their focus to harvest now.
- New South Wales and Northern Victoria hay season is all but complete. Some of the biggest crops they have seen in years.
- Lucerne continues to be cut but quality still down following wet conditions.
- 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.
- Quality varies for the three states depending on the severity of weather damage.
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. Exporters looking to the west after a very wet spring damaged new season hay through Central South Australia.
- After a dry start to the season Western Australia has finished well.
- Good rain that came late in the season was ideal for many parts finishing off crops.
- Prices remain strong for all fodder types in WA.
Regional Commentary
Atherton Tablelands
- Stormy conditions this week. Tolga recorded 50mm of rain while other parts received less than 5mm.
- Paddock feed has dried off now.
- Corn plantings are due to start, growers are wanting more significant rain before starting.
- Demand continues to be slow.
- Reports of hay moving from Dimbula to Mt Isa.
- Cattle numbers through local yards continue to be strong.
- 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
- Storms forecast for the coming week. Most of the rain has pushed out to the coast.
- Good rainfall needed in the area to bring water tables back up.
- Growers wanting to plant corn and grain sorghum but will hold off for the right rain.
- High cattle prices continue to impact demand in the area, farmers are still to restock.
- Inquiry in general has slowed completely down.
- Demand impacted by farmer cashflow.
- Feedlots buying as required and nominating what they will pay on the day.
- 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
- Significant rain forecast to fall on the North Coast for the coming week. Over 150mm is predicted for the region.
- Good rain in the area will see underground water levels come back up.
- Farmers are only carrying 20-30% of potential stock numbers.
- Volume of hay produced in the region is down.
- Minimal amounts of hay moving locally.
- Demand may pick up if dry conditions continue in the area.
- Farmers are still recovering from the dry period.
- Paddock feed has dried off now.
- 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 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
- Parts of the Central West received up to 30mm of rain last weekend.
- Good quality hay will be hard to find after a wet spring.
- Growers are onto the second cut of lucerne. Quality still down due to rain and heavy dews.
- Good quality luncerne hay continues to be in demand from the equine industry.
- Small amount of hay moving for dairy farmers.
- Stock numbers are well down in the area.
- Substantial amount of dry feed in the area. Quality will drop away with summer rain.
- Prices remain steady this week.
- Cereal hay: +/-0 ($240 to $280/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
- The area continues to dry out with windy conditions.
- Ongoing rain ideal to keep summer feed going.
- There is water available for irrigating following good rainfall.
- Silage continues to be made in the area. Farmers moving to long term pits.
- Better seasonal conditions for the region will mean less hay required to move onto the coast.
- Demand remains quiet in the Bega Valley.
- Dairy farmers looking for good quality barley straw to be used in conjunction with other fodders through mixer wagons.
- Small amounts of cereal hay coming into the Bega region for springing dairy cattle.
- No change to prices this week.
- Cereal hay: +/-0 ($300 to $350/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 ($350 to $400/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
- Windy and dry conditions this week for the region.
- Very little demand in the area.
- New season hay has been placed undercover.
- Small amount of second cut silage being made.
- Paddock feed has dried off now with hot and windy conditions.
- Growers now working on summer rotations.
- A significant amount of corn has been planted.
- 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
- Patchy rain this week across Gippsland.
- Silage has finished in the region now.
- Despite the wet conditions there was still a significant amount of silage made.
- Pasture hay continues to be made in the northern parts of Gippsland.
- Abundance of grass in the area with varying quality.
- Farmers strip grazing pasture rather than making more silage.
- Dairy farmers continue to seek out good quality milking hay.
- Currently a buyer’s market for those seeking out 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
- Pasture hay continues to be baled in the region with varying levels of damage due to the recent rain.
- Southern parts are onto their third cut of silage for the season.
- Inquiries from dairy farmers wanting to plan ahead and spread the risk.
- Small amount of last season’s hay moving.
- Damaged vetch selling on farm for $140/t, undamaged vetch with protein up to 19% selling for $220-$240/t on farm.
- No changes to pricing.
- Cereal hay: +/-0 ($170 to $230/t). Prices remain steady this week.
- Lucerne hay: +/-0 ($350 to $400/t). Prices remain steady this week.
- Straw: +/-0 ($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
- Varied qualities of new season cereal hay, growers working on testing now.
- All new season hay baled in the region had from 2 – 30mm of rain on it.
- Hay season has finished in the area now.
- Crops yielded average to above average.
- The amount of hay produced this year was well down on previous years.
- Demand remains very slow in Southeast South Australia.
- There is still straw stacked in paddocks from last season.
- New season straw is being baled for mushroom contracts.
- 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
- Cooler conditions coming through last weekend with wind and up to 10mm of rain.
- Pastoral areas to the north have received rain and feed has improved for stock in these parts.
- Exporters wanting to close off orders now.
- Reports that one exporter has introduced a new grade this season allowing growers to move bottom end hay that would have normally sat.
- Significant amount of straw is now being made.
- Barley straw heading for piggery’s, feedlots and mushroom contracts.
- No interstate demand like previous years.
- 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 significant rain to report for the west.
- The hay season is finished.
- Despite the slow start to the season crops in general yielded well.
- Quality was excellent in most areas, slightly dropping away in the eastern parts.
- 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 taking downgraded export hay.
- 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
- Conditions continue to be windy in the region.
- Rain isn’t ideal at the moment and has slowed production down.
- Significant amount of silage made and still being made.
- Reports that there’s no substance or bottom to pasture crops due to the colder conditions earlier on.
- Abundance of grass is keeping demand down.
- No major trade in the region, regular clients taking small amounts from growers.
- Inquiry for high grade lucerne.
- 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.