National Summary
- Thunderstorms and showers this week causing widespread moderate falls across northern Queensland and parts of central west Queensland. Heavy showers and thunderstorms then followed on the North Coast of New South Wales bringing significant rainfall and localised flooding to the region.
- Cattle farmers on the North Coast may look to source additional feed following this week’s heavy falls to supplement stock until conditions dry out.
- Many growers working through feed testing on new season hay now. Testing is crucial following the wet conditions that were experienced through South Australia, Victoria and New South Wales during the hay making period.
- It continues to be a buyer’s market with prices well down on previous years.
- Demand still not expected to lift for some time due to stock numbers continuing to reduce and famers carrying enough feed.
- Farmers also look to be able to produce good summer crops for personal use which will also push domestic trade down in many parts.
- Conditions this year mean the quality of hay on the market will vary dramatically. Potentially undamaged new season hay on the eastern side of the country 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
- Up to 40mm has fallen this week in the Mareeba region.
- Paddock feed has dried off now.
- Dairy farmers around Malanda are taking their second cut of corn for chop silage.
- Demand continues to be slow.
- Cattle numbers through local yards continue to be strong which is impacting hay trade in the Tablelands.
- 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
- Storm activity this week bringing varied amounts of rainfall. The Clifton area near Toowoomba has recoded 30mm over the last two weeks.
- Growers wanting to plant corn and grain sorghum still holding off for more significant rain.
- Small amounts of barley straw continue to be baled.
- Reports further west around Roma growers have been able to grow forage sorghum which is now ready for cutting.
- High cattle prices continue to impact demand in the area, farmers are still to restock.
- Inquiry in general has slowed completely down.
- 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
- Lismore recorded 200mm of rain this week, further down the coast Coffs Harbour recorded 400mm
- Farmers are only carrying 20-30% of potential stock numbers which has continued to impact demand.
- Volume of hay produced in the region is down on previous seasons.
- Minimal amounts of hay have been moving locally.
- Potentially a short-term influx in demand to feed stock following flooding in the region.
- 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
- Storm activity across the region this week with Dubbo receiving 30mm in the north but areas such as Orange missing out.
- Good quality hay will be hard to find after a wet spring.
- Stock numbers are well down in the region which continues to impact demand.
- Substantial amount of dry feed in the area. Quality will drop away with ongoing summer rain.
- Growers taking advantage of the rain and planting summer grasses.
- 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
- 15mm of rain recorded this week in the region.
- Rain has been ideal keeping pastures going without the significant use of irrigation.
- Silage continues to be made in the area. Farmers moving to long term pits.
- Better conditions will mean less hay coming onto the coast from the Riverina.
- 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 trading 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
- No rain to report this week, warm and windy conditions have continued through the region.
- Very little demand in the area.
- New season hay has been placed undercover.
- Paddock feed has dried off now with hot and windy conditions.
- Summer crops of sorghum and millet are up, these plantings are predominately for grazing.
- A significant amount of corn has been planted this season for chop silage.
- 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 10mm of rain fell in the Yarram area.
- Silage has finished in the region now.
- A significant amount of silage was made this season.
- Quality of pasture hay made in the north is varied due to the wet conditions.
- Farmers strip grazing pasture rather than making more silage.
- Trade is well down on previous years.
- Dairy farmers continue to be the only movers of cereal and vetch hay in the region. Quantities are not significant.
- Growers repairing paddocks following several wet months.
- 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
- Up to 20mm has been recorded this week.
- Cool and damp conditions have made it difficult to finish off pasture hay in the northern parts.
- Warrnambool area continues to make silage when the weather permits.
- Standard inquiries continue to come from dairy farmers wanting to secure cereal and vetch hay with good protein, ME and NDF.
- Small amount of last season’s hay moving due to the good quality.
- 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
- 10 – 20mm feel across the region this week.
- Hay season has finished in the area now.
- Varied qualities of new season cereal hay due to conditions during cutting.
- The amount of hay produced this year was well down on previous years.
- Demand remains very slow in Southeast South Australia.
- New season straw continues to be baled to fill 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
- No rain to report this week, conditions have been much milder.
- Hay production now finished.
- Exporters finalising orders after a tough season.
- Growers not wanting to be stuck with severely damaged hay due to the declined demand are trying to move as much as they can with export before they stop purchasing.
- Significant amount of straw still being made.
- Barley straw preferred to fill contracts for feedlots.
- Local domestic demand continues to be flat.
- Growers affected this year after a number of good years of interstate trade.
- 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, December continues to be dry.
- 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 finalising orders across the region.
- Domestic demand is slow.
- Margret Reiver area continues to produce quality pasture hay this season.
- 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
- Up to 20mm of rain was recorded this week.
- Rain continues to hinder production in the area.
- Significant amount of silage has been made this season.
- Stock continue to be supported by plenty of good grazing grass.
- Demand continues to be slow across the Northwest.
- No changes in pricing 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.