Hay Report - A Season Full of Uncertainty

Over the past fortnight, we have seen more hay hitting the market as the skies clear, giving growers who have had crops on the ground an opportunity to rake and get their hay baled.

Unfortunately, the rain has taken its toll on a significant amount of hay, particularly across Victoria’s Mallee and Wimmera regions. Most of the Vetch hay has received some rain, with only a small parcel escaping the weather. Speaking with a couple of buyers who purchase significant volumes of Vetch, they believe the best-quality hay is coming out of Southern NSW, where crops largely missed the rain. As a result, much of Victoria’s Vetch hay is expected to be downgraded.

We are also starting to see cereal hay enter the market, but once again, quality is a concern due to rain damage. Some feed test results of new-season hay are showing reasonable protein levels, but energy and digestibility are considerably lower than expected. This highlights the importance of checking feed tests and inspecting hay carefully before committing to a purchase.

The weather remains a major concern, with more rain forecast for the weekend in some areas. Growers still trying to get their crops harvested will be hoping the falls are limited, particularly given how wet the ground already is. Further rain could create even more challenges for those trying to get the remaining hay baled and stored.

So, where does this leave the hay market? There are plenty of questions and few clear answers. With the amount of rain-affected hay expected to come onto the market, we are beginning to wonder whether last season’s hay could prove more valuable than some of the new-season product.

For now, it is a waiting game. Quality, availability and the impact of further rain will play a major role in determining where the market heads from here. One thing is certain: this has been an unpredictable season, and there is still plenty to play out before we know how it will finish.

Back in a fortnight..

Shane Ruyg

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

Here are the latest prices.

• Old Season Vetch is in the bracket of $180 to $405 a tonne (25/26 Season)
• New Season Vetch is in the bracket of $210 to $400 a tonne (26/27 Season)
• Cereal Hay ranges from $85 to $305 a tonne (25/26 Season)
• Cereal Hay ranges from $205 to $355 a tonne (26/27 Season)
• Lucerne Hay ranges from $300 to $600 a tonne. 
• Clover & Rye Hay ranges from $255 to $350 a tonne. (25/26 Season)
• Cereal Straw ranges from $75-$160 a tonne. (25/26 Season)
• Cereal Straw ranges from $120 a tonne. (26/27 Season)

We go around the grounds to hear from our Farm Tender Sales team:

Paul Grayling - Mallee, Vic-based

The past fortnight has seen plenty of hay being pressed up with a fair portion of that being rain effected with some interesting test results. There will be quite a difference in the pricing of weather damaged and non weather damaged hay. This might not be felt until the job kicks. With some massive yields out there quality will be important and also pricing as freight is having a massive say with buyers. This time of the season is always a feeling out process with buyers and sellers trying to find common ground. Unfortunately due to so many variables (Weather, Distance, Locations to name a few) there hasnt been a lot of clear pricing set as yet.

Mike Pickard - On the road

There is a fair bit of Hay being moving across the Darling Downs with some failed crops (Western) have been baled and are now being transported into feedlots. Freight and the cost of fuel is creating issues for anyone who needs hay long distance. Smaller parcels of hay are selling at reduced prices throughout Victoria, mainly going locally. There seems to be plenty of hay on the ground and in a bale down that way. But for buyers, you will need to see a feed test.

Jim Oehms - Northern Country, Vic-based

There has been hay that has already been dropped in certain areas and a lot have missed the rain since dropping so are looking pretty good so far. The stuff that has had rain on it is unfortunate but still not too bad as some feed tests have come back and protein etc has been ok. There are some that dropped earlier and had rain and some discolouration has started and quality may be reduced. There are some that have already started baling also and colour is pretty good and prices are reasonable. There is a fair bit of silage happening also. We are getting a lot of calls on what the new season hay is going to bring price wise and can only say that prices are pretty reasonable right now as it hits the market. Especially Vetch, Oaten and Pasture. I would suggest to have a feed test done if selling your hay and inspect before buying.

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 call us on 1300 Farming (1300 327 646)