Driving Prices Up
– Significant flooding in Northern New South Wales and Queensland has seen damage to summer crops and on farm fodder stores.
– Overseas conflict and the continued rising price of diesel will impact the new cropping season for all growers as they look to plan what will be seeded this season to combat the cost of production.
– Reports good quality cereal hay that was already limited is being secured for the cooler months, with a shortage of vetch hay farmers may need to look to lucerne to fill the protein gap.
– With valuable stock and continued demand for Australian red meat more cattle are being finished through a feedlot option.
Driving Prices Down
– Recent rainfall has again boosted paddock feed, alleviating the need for farmers to supplement feed and irrigate extensively. Many growers in the southern states looking to seed ryegrasses and other pastures with good soil moisture and milder temperatures.
– Varied qualities of fodder are currently on the market with new season hay being impacted by rain events across most states.
– Growers with hay stacked outside of a lower grade will look to trade this in the coming months.
Local News
– Heavy rainfall followed by flooding across the Darling Downs and into Northeast New South Wales in particular Lismore over the last seven days. The full extent of damage and loss to be assessed in the coming weeks once property is more accessible.
– Farmers and growers surrounding the areas of Gympie, Fassifern Valley and the New South Wales North Coast are coordinating hay donations to support farmers with livestock affected by the floods in these regions.
– Trade in hay continues to be slow, which can be traditional for this time of year. The equine industry continues to be consistent consumer looking for good quality fodder.
– In Queensland, Fall Armyworm monitoring and spraying is well-underway. Summer crops continue to do well across the Darling Downs as growers report it to be an ideal season with plentiful grass in many parts.
– Summer rain throughout New South Wales has produced grass in the paddocks, any summer coastal hay production continues to be hindered.
– Lack of rain in Southwest Victoria, and some parts of South Australia and Tasmania are driving some early enquiries from those looking to secure feed allotments for winter.
– Buyers are encouraged to feed test and view fodder before purchasing to be sure of the quality of the feed.