National Commentary
- The last week has brought thunderstorm conditions to many parts of Australia, with Central West New South Wales recording up to 100mm. Western Australia continues to be dry and rain would be welcomed now in readiness for autumn seeding.
- Continued summer rainfall has seen growers through News South Wales and Victoria plagued by weeds. The rain has improved soil moisture greatly and autumn seeding looks to be on track at this point.
- Domestic hay sales are still 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.
- Demand from the equine industry continues to be reduced with the cancellation of events and normal operation at jump schools and training centres not taking place due to COVID restrictions.
- Dairy farmers following a number of years of facing high hay prices have had seek out alternative ways to obtain enough feed in a cost-effective manner. From this they have become more sufficient through increasing they own on farm production as well as sourcing their own cutting and baling equipment. This will have an ongoing impact on demand and in some cases halving what they would normally buy in.
- Summer crops continue to do well following recent rainfall. Corn will be chopped for silage across Victoria over the coming month. A milder summer has meant that the season will be later than normal.
- 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
- 40mm of rain this week on the Tablelands.
- Growers were able to bale hay last week with some better conditions. It is a coarse product following the heavy rainfall though the area.
- A significant amount of the lower grade hay will be used by the avocado farmers for mulch.
- Grass is plentiful in the area following the ongoing rain.
- Fall Armyworm continues to be a large problem for the region with its ability to cause detrimental damage to corn corps. Its resistance to existing chemicals requires growers to spray multiple times with new costly alternatives.
- Trade continues to be down in the region. Farmers are not weaning cattle while the Tablelands continues to be impacted by the above average wet summer.
- 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 recorded again this week for the Downs. Growers have reported anything from 15-120mm of rain.
- Small amounts of forage hay being made. Feedlots are utilising contractors to come in and bale grass they have on site.
- Summer rainfall is setting growers up for a good autumn seeding season.
- Continued good summer rain will enable the western parts of the Darling Downs to sow oats late in March.
- High cattle prices, farmers not restocking and good summer grass are all impacting factors on trade.
- Demand continues to be a record low for the region.
- 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
- A much dryer week reported this week for the North Coast.
- Good feed in the region for farmers with grazing stock following the continuous rainfall across the North Coast.
- Wet conditions have made 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
- Rainfall for the Central West was varied with 50-80mm recorded this past week.
- Cutting and baling lucerne and teff grass in the area has been hindered by ongoing wet conditions. Quality has also been impacted by the rain.
- Many growers have opted to graze their lucerne especially dryland rather than try and make hay with the continued summer rainfall.
- Chaffing mills are still taking good quality lucerne but quantities are well down on previous years.
- Growers in the area are now looking to a good autumn break with good soil moisture.
- Plenty of feed locally and onto the coast continue to impact trade for local growers.
- Mice are building in the Central West following a good 2020 cropping season. This is concerning for many growers that have significant amount of fodder stored on farm.
- The market continues to be very slow.
- 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
- Bega has received good rainfall in the last week with reports of up to 50mm.
- Growers are concentrating on kikuyu grass and keeping summer weeds down.
- Small amount of quality cereal hay coming into the valley for dairy farmers who have pre-ordered.
- Farmers are doing well in comparison to twelve months ago with plenty of silage stores and summer grass.
- Growers in from the coast will now consider planting permanent grasses and lucerne following the improved conditions.
- 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
- The Goulburn Murray Valley received good widespread rain this week, with reports of up to 60mm.
- A significant amount of hay available in the region which growers will carry through now until a shift in demand.
- Graziers in the area continue to be supported by summer grasses and good on farm hay stores.
- Summer crops continue to do well in the region following wet conditions. Corn will be chopped for silage in the coming months.
- Demand continues to be well down.
- 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
- Up to 16mm of rain feel this week in the north of Gippsland.
- Farmers have grass for grazing at present, growth isn’t significant, but quality is good. More rain needed to keep these pastures going.
- Maize silage plantings down on previous years as farmers have significant stores of grass silage.
- With a milder summer it will be the end of March before maize crops can be chopped for silage.
- Growers have stored majority of last season’s hay and will continue to store until trade increases.
- 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 again this week.
- Plenty of green feed for livestock in the region.
- Varied qualities of cereal and vetch hay on the market.
- Dairy farmers are ordering less as they are able to support themselves through silage and pasture hay made on farm.
- At present there is a small amount of cereal and vetch being traded into the south from the Mallee.
- 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 this week. The Southeast is forecast to receive rain over the coming days.
- Varied qualities of new season cereal hay on the market.
- A large amount of silage was produced in the region.
- 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
- Only light showers of rain reported for the last week. The area is expected to experience stormy conditions in the coming days with up to 40mm forecast. 15mm of rain has been recorded thus in the region for 2021.
- A significant amount of straw continues to be baled in the Central South. Dry summer conditions have been ideal for straw production. Demand coming from mushroom and chicken farms as well as exporters wanting premium straw for stock bedding.
- 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.
- 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, conditions are dry. Cyclone rain is forecast for the coming week.
- A large fire continues to burn around Perth, confirmation to come on how much farmland has been impacted.
- A small amount of cereal hay moving to domestic clients on the coast. The continuation of this may change if the area receives rain.
- Cereal hay quality was excellent in most areas.
- 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
- Up to 30mm was recorded this week in the Northwest with another 40-60mm forecast for the coming days.
- Hay continues to be made in region this week, with some growers nearing completion now. Hay production has again been up this year.
- There is a big variance in quality with earlier hay impacted by weather, more recent hay has been able to be baled without any damage.
- Some growers now looking to take a second cut of silage. Growers with lower country have looked to seeding rye and clover as more significant rainfall will mean paddocks will be inaccessible.
- Paddock feed following the recent rain continues to provide good grazing.
- Growers looking to do more feed testing this year than normal to ascertain feed value as the appearance has been compromised from rain.
- Demand has come dairy farmers trying to increase production by utilising all their own feed for grazing and buying the additional fodder required.
- 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.