National Summary
- Heavy rainfall has occurred in the northern part of the country and into New South Wales over the last fortnight. Southern parts continue to see storm activity that has delivered varied amounts of rainfall. More rain is predicted for the North Coast and Queensland over the coming weeks.
- Excellent rainfall for these parts will set them up for the coming season. They have struggled to get summer crops in, but grass is in abundance following the deluge.
- 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.
- Demand still very stagnant across all regions. Many farmers have enough stored plus good paddock feed to carry them through for a number of months yet.
- Summer crops continue to do well following recent rainfall. Parts that are not know for planting during the summer have had an added bonus for anyone that took the gamble.
- Conditions this year mean the quality of hay on the market will vary. Good quality hay may be in short supply as the season progresses.
- 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 locally.
- Following the recent rainfall in QLD many parts including the Tablelands have had an influx of fresh grass.
- The Darling Downs growers are enjoying the rain but have struggled to get summer crops in the ground.
- Significant reduction in hay being made in the area this past season.
- Parts of Queensland are still significantly dry.
- Areas are still not carrying big cattle numbers.
Southern Australia – Summary
- New South Wales and Victoria were plagued by wet hay making conditions.
- Some of the highest yielding 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 with significantly weather damaged hay.
- Some straw was baled to meet contracts for the next twelve months for mushroom farms and feedlots.
- 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 sell 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
- The Tablelands received 300 – 400mm of rainfall across the region over the last fortnight. This is above average for this time of year.
- The recent rain has meant grass in the area is amble again for livestock. Conditions making it difficult to cut any for hay.
- Many growers are still trying to get corn plantings in.
- Demand continues to be slow.
- Hay unable to be transported to the west as roads have been cut due to heavy rainfall.
- 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
- Good rainfall for the area, 30mm this week with more predicted.
- Already a better start to the year compared to twelve months ago with recent rainfall improving moisture levels.
- Wet conditions have made it difficult for growers to get summer plantings in. Some may hold off now until oats can be planted in early March.
- Current humid conditions are perfect for grass which grows best during February and March. If it can establish it will carry through till winter.
- High cattle prices continue to impact demand in the area, farmers are still to restock.
- Demand is still well down on previous years.
- 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
- The North Coast has continued to receive significant rain, 75 – 100mm was recorded this week.
- Some summer plantings were able to go in following the rainfall prior to Christmas but the recent falls are making it very difficult.
- Conditions have seen grass take off providing local dairy and beef farmers with an abundance of fresh feed.
- Minimal amounts of hay have been moving locally.
- Depleted stock numbers in the region continue to impact demand.
- 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 area with places receiving up to 75mm this week.
- Lucerne growers are taking a second cut from new stands that were planted after the drought.
- Summer cropping has been a bonus in the area this season. It has thrived on the current conditions.
- Dry feed has finished off with the summer rain.
- Mice are in an issue in the region getting into stored hay. Farmers are having to bait them to keep them at bay.
- Demand continues to be flat across the region.
- No change to pricing 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
- Light rain was recorded at the start of the week, 16mm has been recorded for January to date.
- Rain has been ideal for pastures in the region. Ongoing rain needed to keep area from drying out.
- Better conditions will mean less hay coming onto the coast from the Riverina.
- Demand remains quiet in the Bega Valley.
- 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
- Stormy conditions over the last week with some parts receiving up to 20mm.
- New season hay has been placed undercover ready for when demand improves.
- Many dairy farms and other livestock farms are self-sufficient at present.
- Summer crops are doing well in the region. Corn will be chopped for silage in the coming months.
- 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
- Significant rainfall has been recorded this week with Yarram receiving over 80mm.
- 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 continue to graze good feed that has grown following the recent rain.
- Trade continues to be slow with most farmers having enough feed stored on farm.
- Dairy farmers continue to be the only movers of cereal and vetch hay in the region. Quantities are not significant.
- 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
- No significant rain to report this week, conditions have been very mild.
- Vetch and barley straw moving to regular dairy farms and sheep feedlots that are planning ahead.
- Growers have stored hay and will wait for demand to increase again.
- Varied qualities of hay available in the area following wet spring conditions.
- Some straw was baled following harvest in the Mallee and Wimmera.
- 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
- Storm activity this week with some places recording 100mm
- Varied qualities of new season cereal hay due to conditions during cutting.
- Dry feed has finished due to summer rain.
- Demand remains very slow in Southeast South Australia.
- Domestic market may increase leading into the cooler months.
- 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 remain 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 significant rain to report this week.
- Exporters finalising orders after a tough season. Exporters have increased their prices for lower grade hay.
- Significant amount of straw still being made for mushroom and chicken farms.
- Movement of hay to the NT has not returned yet.
- Local domestic demand continues to be down.
- Growers affected 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, gusty winds from the east with high temperatures.
- Growers in the Margaret River region were able to take two cuts of pasture hay this past season. Late rain and humidity provided ideal conditions.
- Those on the irrigation system made a significant amount of pasture silage due to the allocation being down to 28%.
- Despite the slow start to the season crops in general yielded well across most parts of the state.
- Domestic demand continues to be slow.
- No changes in pricing to report this week.
- Cereal hay: +/-0 ($280 to $350/t). Prices remain 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
- Up to 20mm of rain was recorded this week in the Smithton region.
- Pasture hay production is well underway.
- Some growers that cut hay in the middle of December did receive rain on these crops.
- Paddock feed following the recent rain has improved greatly.
- It is expected that majority of hay made this season will be good quality and there will be a significant amount.
- Demand continues to be slow across the Northwest, an increase in demand not expected till autumn and winter.
- 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 remain steady 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.