READ THE FULL REPORT HERE.
Summary
- Price increases have continued across most hay types, with many regions at all-time highs with no signs of slowing. The freight costs of shifting hay interstate are now weighing heavily on /t pricing, and demand is outweighing supply, with some regions now looking further afield and thus increasing prices further due to distance.
- Although large parts of southern South Australia, western and central Victoria, and southwest Western Australia have received recent rain, conditions are cold, with frost interfering with the growth of recently sown seeds. The delayed autumn break, along with drought conditions continuing and no guarantee of longer-term rainfall, means fodder unavailability and pricing pressure will continue for several months. Farmers in these regions continue to rely heavily on handfeeding and supplementary grain feeding.
- Nothing is driving prices down. The only reported drop is an adjustment to lucerne hay according to the reports of an individual supplier in North Coast NSW.
- Victoria has relaxed transport restrictions to boost fodder and grain deliveries into drought-hit areas, particularly in the southwest. The new Emergency Drought Network allows larger road trains (up to 84 tonnes) to run on approved routes, helping move more feed in fewer trips to hard-hit farming regions around Hamilton, Warrnambool, and surrounding districts.
- WA-SA hay trade pause lifts: Green snail quarantine restrictions have been eased for hay deliveries from WA to SA. Conditional importation of hay from specified low-risk areas of Western Australia is permitted on a case-by-case basis, subject to biosecurity controls. It remains banned from parts of southwest WA.
- SA waives fodder inspection fees during drought: A reminder that South Australian farmers are exempt from paying the usual $167/hour fee for incoming fodder inspections, easing pressure as dry conditions continue. Inspections remain in place to guard against pests.
- All of Victoria now included in the state’s drought zone: Direct drought support of $69 million is available for farmers across Victoria impacted by drought and difficult seasonal conditions.
- BoM update: Dry winter continues in key growing regions, with soil moisture and rainfall well below average across the southeast and west. This puts pressure on crops, pastures, and livestock.
- Red Fire Ant Invasion is continuing to be an issue for QLD and NSW. Recent detections have expanded Queensland’s fire ant biosecurity zones to include Brisbane City, Scenic Rim Regional, and Sunshine Coast Regional. These changes took effect on 16 June 2025.
- Buyers are encouraged to feed test and view fodder before purchase to ensure the quality of feed.