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Summary
Driving Prices Up
- WA is seeing some limited pasture feeding availability, but the majority of the area is still dry and requires fodder supplies for animal health and support. SA is still very dry and is now only supplying locally which is reducing availability elsewhere.
- Fodder continues to move north to south to meet the needs in the dry; this is continuing to incur additional freight costs.
- Demand is strong as producers look to fill on-farm storage before the onset of cooler winter conditions slow pasture growth. The lack of rain across the southern states has led to a lack of growth and will likely lead to a winter feed gap. It is strongly suggested that farmers look to lock in supplies as there is a good degree of belief that there will be shortages in winter.
Driving Prices Down
- Sowing of quick feed as well as hay and silage crops is continuing throughout QLD and NSW in good conditions.
- Older fodder supplies are on the market, some of quite low quality which is reducing the overall price point, however this hay is usually weather damaged from previous seasons and has limited usage.
- Other fodder options than hay and silage are available, such as almond hulls to add to feed mixes, which is helping balance some demand.
Local News
- South West Victoria continues to be dry for almost all of the area, with the exception of some parts in the east near the Otways. The reduced pastures and tightening of available fodder supplies is seeing producers source feed from QLD and NSW as well as central Victoria to meet needs.
- Tasmania continues to be unseasonably dry for most of the state and supplies are running low. Fodder continues to be sourced from the mainland, but the process can be slow due to biosecurity measures.
- As expected with the release of the date for the phase out of the live export of sheep many WA growers are contemplating a change in sowing components moving forward as sheep numbers are set to drop as graziers look to exit the industry and switch to cropping or other farming activities.
- Buyers are encouraged to feed test and view fodder before purchase to be sure of the quality of feed.