National Commentary
- Most regions experienced dry conditions this week. Extreme heat expected to hit New South Wales and Victoria this weekend with temperatures reported to reach as high as 45 degrees.
- January has been a slower month for both growers and farmers, reflecting a more traditional time. Producers now planning ahead for the new cropping season. Good, continued summer rainfall will be ideal for growers leading in as soil moisture levels are already improved.
- Domestic hay sales are not expected to increase for some time. High cattle prices, green feed from summer rain and farmers with good on farm fodder stores are all factors that continue to keep trade well down.
- Summer crops continue to do well following recent rainfall. Corn will be chopped for silage across Victoria over the coming month.
- Northwest Tasmania are experiencing similar wet hay making conditions to what South Australia, New South Wales and Victoria had during the spring.
- 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 western Queensland that had been dry have now received rain.
- 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
- Light rain has fallen across the Tablelands this week, no significant falls in compassion to previous weeks.
- Paddocks will need dryer weather conditions for a number of days before any hay can be cut and baled.
- Hay quality will be varied until growers can take subsequent cuts due to the heavy rainfall in the region over the last month.
- Demand continues to be slow, small amounts of local trade going to equine customers.
- 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
- Varied rainfall this week for the Downs with reports of 16 – 40mm of rain being recorded across the region.
- Rainfall throughout the Darling Downs continues to improve conditions for growers with good soil moisture levels returning.
- Underground water is also improving with water table’s rising following good January rainfall.
- Lucerne continues to be cut in the area. Good quality lucerne still in demand from the equine industry.
- High cattle prices continue to impact demand in the area, farmers are still to restock.
- Demand continues to be slow in the area.
- 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
- 20 – 30mm of rain recorded this week across the North Coast.
- Good feed in the region for farmers with grazing stock following the continuous rainfall for the North Coast.
- Wet conditions continue to make it difficult for growers to cut and bale hay.
- Minimal amounts of hay have been moving locally. Trade is traditionally slow at this time of year.
- 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
- No rain for the Central West this week.
- Lucerne continues to be cut across the Central West. It has been a good season for dryland lucerne. Irrigated lucerne has required limited watering’s until now due to enough rainfall.
- Plenty of feed locally and onto the coast continue to impact trade for local growers.
- Small amount of movement to Queensland of cereal and lucerne hay.
- Demand continues to be well down across the region.
- No change to prices this week.
- Cereal hay: +/-0 ($220 to $240/t). Prices remain steady this week.
- Lucerne hay: +/-0 ($350 to $450/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
- 8-10mm of rain was recorded for the Bega Valley in the last seven days. Conditions will be warm for the region with reports that Monday could reach 35 degrees.
- Ongoing rain needed to keep area from drying out. Growers that can are utilising irrigation to keep pastures going during the warmer conditions.
- Small amount of trade of cereal hay coming onto the coast for dairy farmers planning ahead.
- Demand remains quiet in the Bega Valley.
- 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.
- New season hay has been placed undercover ready for when demand improves.
- Many dairy farms and other livestock farms have enough fodder stored on farm.
- Summer crops are doing well in the region. Corn will be chopped for silage in the coming months.
- Very little demand in the area.
- No change to pricing 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 ($230 to $280/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
- Less than 5mm of rain fell across Gippsland in the last seven days.
- Farmers have been feeding out silage.
- More rain needed to keep grazing pastures going.
- There is a significant amount of hay and silage in the area which continues to impact trade.
- Small amount of cereal and vetch hay continues to come into the region for dairy farmers planning ahead.
- No change to pricing this week.
- 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 ($100 to $120/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.
- Growers have stored hay and will wait for demand to increase again.
- Varied qualities of cereal and vetch hay on the market.
- Some growers in the south still able to make silage when conditions are favourable.
- Good quality cereal and vetch hay will always be needed in the area by dairy farmers. At present there is a small amount being traded as these farmers forward plan.
- 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
- No rain recorded again this week.
- Varied qualities of new season cereal hay on the market.
- A large amount of silage was produced in the region.
- The small amount of green feed that was there is now drying off with warmer conditions.
- Domestic demand continues to be down for Southeast South Australia.
- 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 rain to report this week for Central South Australia.
- Local farmers feed situation is good and there is no urgency to buy feed in at this stage.
- Local domestic demand continues to be down. Trading into other states as seen in previous years is not occurring.
- 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 for the Southwest.
- Cereal hay quality was excellent in most areas.
- Exporters finalising orders across the region. With South Australia unable to produce good quality hay this season due to the wet exporters are still looking to the west to fill that gap.
- Margret Reiver area continues to produce quality pasture hay this season.
- Domestic demand continues to be slow.
- No changes in pricing 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
- No rain recorded in the last seven days.
- Hay continues to be made in region this week. Growers are still catching up following storm activity and cool conditions from a fortnight ago.
- Paddock feed following the recent rain has improved greatly.
- It is expected that hay production will be up on previous years but varied qualities due to rain damage.
- Growers looking to do more feed testing this year than normal to ascertain feed value as the appearance has been compromised from rain.
- 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.