Hay Report - A few more Hay questions getting asked

For the fortnight up to the 14th of February 2024.

By Dwain Duxson

It's been quiet on the Hay front, and as we have outlined previously, Hay is a hand-to-mouth commodity when there is a lot of green grass around.

However, the wetter pattern might be changing a little in some places, with some dryer weather starting to turn some of the green grass brown. However, we are a fair way off a lift in demand, and our thinking is that demand will rise but only slightly, but there are a s few more Hay questions getting asked.

There is a good chunk of high-quality Hay out there, nicely stacked in Sheds, ready to go. Farmers looking to clear a bit of stock are having to do so at a lower rate, although most would rather hold on than meet the market at less.

What's happened to Hay prices over the last fortnight?

The Vetch and Clover Hay that was $300 a month ago is now $275-$280 a tonne.

Straw is being traded for around $75 a tonne.

The Lucerne Hay that was making $400 a tonne a month ago is more around the $380 a tonne mark.

We go around the grounds to see what our Farm Tender Salespeople have to say:

Paul Grayling - Mallee, Vic based

Paul said - Over the past fortnight, I have seen spot loads moving and some parcels of Straw. Exporters have been out on the Hunt looking for suitable options. With the recent weather coming in hot and windy, there could be a feed/quality gap there to cash in on. 

Shane Ruyg - Qld based

Shane said We are starting to see a slight improvement in listings, enquiries, and sales of Hay and Straw, and pricing has been decreasing with the lack of demand and sellers wanting to move their product. Quality is still out there, and with the hot weather, which looks like extending into the next week or so, we may see grasses and green pick disappear, which in turn may increase that demand.

Mike Pickard - On the road

Mike said - I had a good sale of some Clover/Rye Hay in Central Victoria close to Melbourne. Some Barley Straw is going to some local Dairies. Some enquiry in Queensland on Barley Straw locally up there for the export Cattle job. In general, Hay sales are pretty quiet, although there is the odd load going; thinking once it starts getting cool/cold around the autumn, the enquiry will pick up.

Jim Oehms - Northern Country, Vic based

Jim said - The Hay job seems to be picking up now, from talking to a few that are saying it is drying out a bit. A few parcels are being sold pretty consistently at the moment which include different varieties. We are also gathering more listings for parcels as well. From speaking to enquirers, some are looking at test bales first before committing to Truckloads.

End of message.

For more information on selling or buying Hay contact the following:

Paul Grayling – 0447 069 082 or paulg@farmtender.com.au

Shane Ruyg – 0447 922 604 or shaner@farmtender.com.au

Mike Pickard – 0429 677 636 or mikep@farmtender.com.au

Jim Oehms -- 0481 102 288 or jimo@farmtender.com.au

Or 1300 Farming (1300 327 646)

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To watch a video on how it works or to buy Load Looper go to the website here.