READ THE FULL REPORT HERE.
Summary
- A remarkably stagnant week in hay and fodder pricing. The lack of rain continues across all haymaking regions and puts pressure on farmers who need to purchase more hay for feed. The alternative is to sell their livestock, with agistment sites in Queensland’s central west experiencing considerable uptake from parched regions of southern NSW, Victoria and South Australia.
- Despite this plateau, hay prices in the southeastern part of Australia have been at their highest for two months.
- Last week, it was reported that straw, a cheaper alternative to hay in certain regions, was increasing slowly, but this week, it has stalled. Reports suggest that recently chopped maize, also deemed a palatable alternative to scarce fodder, will enter the market shortly as an alternative feed source.
- The market continues to hold steady in many regions as growers in drought remain hopeful for rain. At the same time, those in flood-affected areas still need their pastures to dry out to prevent rot and continue cropping.
- The slight increase in lucerne reported last week has stalled, with it decreasing only in South East South Australia, an area severely affected by continued drought.
- Calling time on Winter feed: Pasture experts indicate Southern Australian drought regions are rapidly running out of time to grow winter feed. With the autumn break all but missed in southwest Victoria and South Australia, combined with the lowest rainfall levels in over two years, the vital seed bank that allows permanent pastures to regrow is diminishing due to insufficient rains and depleted water stocks. Selling core breeders is now on the cards for many farmers.
- BoM Update: The BOM reports severe rainfall deficiencies across most of SA, southwest Victoria, and parts of the Southern Mornington Peninsula over the past 24 months.
- The Wimmera and parts of Gippsland have also faced serious shortfalls in the past year. Since February 2024, rainfall in southern SA and western Victoria has been in the lowest 5 – 10% of historical records. Soil moisture is well below average, leading to poor crop and pasture conditions, tree deaths in SA plantations, and limited water for livestock.
- Nationally, April rainfall was 24% above the 1961–1990 average, while the mean maximum temperature was 0.75°C higher than the same baseline.
- Additional rainfall along the NSW north coast and south-east Queensland coast is interrupting harvest and planting for horticultural crops. This is happening in areas that already have high soil moisture levels, exacerbating waterlogging.
- Updated biosecurity requirements for hay imports into South Australia: Under the Plant Health Act 2009, hay is now subject to stricter import controls due to pests such as Green Snail and Red Imported Fire Ant risk. Read more on the sa.gov.au website HERE.
- Buyers are encouraged to feed test and view fodder before purchase to ensure the quality of feed.