Hay Report – 16 April 2021

National Commentary

• Dryer conditions have been repeated this week across much of the country.
• Port Macquarie down to Taree has been reported as the hardest hit section of coast following the recent deluge of rain. The region is starting to dry out and fodder is coming into these areas through purchases and donations. Farmers needing good roughage for stock to help them recover from the wet conditions.
• With a good autumn break now reaching the majority of the eastern side of Australia growers are working towards new season cropping due to start in many parts over the next four weeks. Many taking into consideration the minimal trade of fodder as they plan this year’s rotations.
• Trade is still at an all-time low as we head into the cooler months. Growers and farmers carrying over ample feed at this stage.
• Concerns over mice plagues continue through Central New South Wales. The recent rain has helped eased numbers and cooler weather will also have an impact.
• 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 region refreshed following good rainfall over the past month. Many parts that were still marked as dry have now had record falls setting them up for the coming season.
• The Fall Armyworm continues to the plague the north with reports of the worm being found as far south as the Darling Downs.
• Significant reduction in hay being made in the area this past season.
• Areas are still not carrying big cattle numbers.

Southern Australia – Summary

• A good autumn break has been received through New South Wales and Northern Victoria now.
• Gowers in New South Wales are working to prevent a mice plague following a bumper grain season.
• Continuous summer rainfall has brought on many weeds that growers are now having to get on top of before the new cropping season.
• Straw has been baled mostly in South Australia to meet contracts for the next twelve months for mushroom and chicken farms as well as 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

• Hay moving domestically due to recent trade issues with China.
• 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. Ongoing uncertainty for new season production due to current trading concerns.
• The west again starting the season dry and needing an autumn break.
• Prices remain strong for all fodder types in WA.

Regional Commentary

Atherton Tablelands

• Light rain for the Tablelands again this week.
• Plenty of paddock feed for stock following the ongoing wet. Some standing feed that hasn’t been grazed is starting to go off.
• Harvesting of maize in the area for silage continues. Quality is down due to damage from early rain.
• Hay has moved this week to Townsville for boat cattle.
• Trade continues to be down in the region. Stations out west that didn’t receive the good rainfall are staring to feed breeding stock.
• No changes to prices 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

• No rain recorded this week for the Darling Downs.
• The area has started to dry out following the recent heavy rainfall.
• New season cropping not due to commence till the end of April.
• Some growers taking advantage of the good moisture and will plant early oat crops.
• Trade not expected to increase hugely from the wet.
• High cattle prices, farmers not restocking and good summer grass are all impacting factors on trade.
• Demand continues to be well down.
• No changes to prices this week.
• Cereal hay: +/-0 ($300 to $320/t). Prices remain steady this week.
• Lucerne hay: +/-0 ($390 to $430/t). Prices have eased 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

• Grass has become rank as growers haven’t been able to cut hay with the wet conditions. A cut now would allow new fresh grass to come through.
• Weather has been dry and warm this week, with days reaching up to 25 degrees.
• Small quantities of silage being made in the area at present.
• Paddocks are starting to dry, and growers are taking the opportunity to plant rye and some early oat crops.
• Despite the huge rainfall over the last four months the region will still need rain to continue to fall at the right times to stop paddocks from drying out too quickly.
• Reports of lucerne and vetch being freighted from Victoria for dairy farmers.
• Small amounts of hay have been moving locally to farmers needing good roughage to feed stock that have been affected by the wet.
• Cereal hay, straw, and lucerne prices quoted are for supplies to be carted into the region.
• No changes 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 ($200 to $230/t). Prices have eased 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 to report this week.
• Seeding of new season crops has started in the north as well as some growers further south have started with early grazing crops.
• New season cropping rotations may vary with the amount of hay stored on farm. Good quality cereal hay is in short supply following a wet 2020 spring.
• Growers and farmers continue to bait mice to keep them under control after building to plague proportions. Recent rain is thought to slowed numbers down. They have caused damage to hay stores and even chewing through silage bales.
• Some trade occurring onto the central coast now to farmers primarily dairy farmers needing cereal hay for stock recovering from the wet conditions.
• No changes 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

• No significant rain to report this week for the Bega Valley.
• The Bega region now in a good position following ongoing rainfall.
• Many dairy farmers continue to seek out good quality fodder to supplement paddock grass and silage stores.
• Good paddock feed available for stock following the recent rain and warm growing conditions.
• Demand remains quiet locally.
• No changes 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 for the Goulburn Murray Valley over the last seven days. Conditions have been much cooler this past week.
• New season cropping will start in the region towards the end of the month.
• A significant amount of lime and gypsum continues to go out.
• Conditions over the last fortnight have been good for growers trying to complete maize harvesting.
• No major inquiry for hay, small amounts of good quality lucerne has moved into New South Wales primarily the North Coast.
• No changes 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

• 25mm of rain recorded in northern Gippsland this week.
• The south is not experiencing the wet conditions they did twelve months ago.
• Growers continue overseeding of grass with rye in the region. A small amount of grazing oats has also been planted.
• Recent rain has improved paddock feed for farmers.
• Still a significant amount of maize to be chopped for silage, mild summer conditions and rain continue to delay the harvest.
• Small amount of inquiry starting up, farmers will try to buy locally to fill any gaps rather than freight in cereal hay that is downgraded from weather damage. Freighting will be reserved for good quality lucerne and vetch.
• Farmers still have good fodder stores on farm.
• No changes 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

• 20mm of rain recorded in the Horsham area this past seven days.
• The area is still doing well and like many parts are going into the cooler season now with good hay and silage stores.
• 2020 hay that was produced without rain damage still not classed as good quality as its testing lower due to the extensive bulk in the crops.
• Grass has started to be seeded in the south.
• Small amount of trade of pre-committed vetch and cereal hay coming into the region mainly to dairy farmers.
• Some farmers are starting to feed out to supplement the green feed still growing. Stock numbers are still good in the region compared to further north where numbers have reduced due to the dry and high market prices.
• No changes to pricing this week.
• 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 to report again this week for Southeast South Australia.
• Some growers will consider producing less hay this season due to the continued slow trade and still carrying majority of last season’s hay.
• Growers are preparing for new season cropping now.
• Local demand continues to be down. Southwest Victoria is having a good season, small amounts of inquiry are starting to come for lucerne and vetch to meet protein requirements.
• No changes in 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 for Central South Australia again this week.
• Growers now working towards new season plantings. Cropping is normally scheduled to start the 1^st of May with no autumn break yet and the long-range forecast indicating rain will be four – six weeks away this will affect rotation choices.
• Growers still need a germination of grain from last year’s crops and an opportunity to then knock down these self-sown crops as well as weeds. Exporters are getting stricter with regards to the amount of germinated barley coming through cereal hay crops.
• Growers that haven’t been in the hay industry for long will opt to decrease hay plantings this year due to the significant carry over.
• Increased interest due to the dry conditions from dairy farmers South of Adelaide in the Victor Harbour area.
• If it continues to stay dry domestic demand will continue to increase for local growers.
• Small amount of straw moving for bedding and into mushroom farms.
• No changes in pricing 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

• 12mm of rain feel in the York region this week.
• Conditions have become increasingly dry again. Growers needing an autumn break to start new season cropping.
• An increase in domestic trade has occurred while export to China remains on hold. Growers taking the opportunity to move stores locally.
• Farmers aware that more good quality cereal hay could come onto the domestic market in the coming months.
• Concern’s growers could be left with a significant carry over due to the current export situation.
• New season cropping rotations could see growers reduce hay production and increase grains and even canola due to the current value of this crop.
• Cereal hay quality was excellent in most areas this past season.
• 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 20mm of rain recorded this past week in the North. Very cold conditions with parts of north receiving snow.
• The autumn break received at the end of March is good timing now for growers. Up to 40mm has now been recorded for the month of April.
• Growers need good conditions to be able to get onto paddocks for new season cropping. If it becomes too wet quickly it will be very difficult.
• Steady demand and inquiry as the weather has started to become cooler in the region.
• A large amount of barley and wheaten straw has been moving in the region, mainly into dairy farms for the cooler months.
• No changes in pricing this week.
• Cereal hay: +/-0 ($200 to $250/t) Prices have eased 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 ($230 to $280/t) Prices have eased 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.