Hay Report - Could this be the Hay Season we're looking for?

For the fortnight up to the 5th of July 2023.

By Dwain Duxson

The last Hay Report we did was on the 31st of May. The reason being is I took leave for three weeks and trimmed back the content load a little. For those who don't know, we consistently do a fortnightly Hay Report throughout the year.

Since we last spoke, confidence in the season ahead has picked up dramatically. In early June, the BOM did their forecast modelling, and it was a sea of brown across Australia. In most spots, it was a 25% chance or less of getting the average June rainfall. Some did miss out, but in WA, Tassie, SA, Vic and parts of NSW were well served with rain during June. And since then, areas in the NT, Queensland and NSW have been getting some much-needed rain to kick start the season for them.

So, the season is looking better. And it sort of has that "average" feel about it, which might mean we have a good run come Hay time. Wouldn't that be something to hope for? As we keep saying, the coffers for quality Hay are well overdue for replenishment.

There are Farmer switched on to a potential opportunity with Hay this upcoming season. We have seen this through the sale of Hay Equipment. Sales have been a fair bit better than we thought.

Demand looks like it might have gone to a new level this week according to the sales team. This could be on the back of rising confidence in Northern NSW and Queensland on the back of some much-needed rain. Mike said below that the Feedlots are very active right as we speak.

And what you will find with the Livestock job is that many have held onto more stock than they usually would have due to the lower prices. It's a hard time to sell. This has led to more stocking pressure, which has led to an increase in demand for Fodder and Grain.

Our friends at Green and Gold Contracting (Matt & Vic Dohle) have entered a Car in the 2023 Variety Bash. It's a great cause, and you can donate through their Facebook page here. Get behind this one.

This year's Australia Fodder Industry Association Conference and Fodder Festival are on the 15th, 16th and 17th of August in Bendigo. Click here for more info.

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

We're expecting, post June 30, some new parcels of Vetch Hay to find their way onto the market. Prices lately have ranged between $185 and $305

Lucerne Hay is still popular and making good money, selling in a range from $300 up to $430 a tonne. 

I think it's a priority for some Farmers to get some surplus Straw moving. Hence there seems to be more coming onto the market in the last week or so. Some at clearance prices. Most sales are still in the sub $100 a tonne area. 

Cereal Hay prices have risen a little, with one parcel going for $270 a tonne. Most sales are in and around the $200-$220 a tonne for half reasonable stuff.

Silage prices range from $80 to $100 a Bale.

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

Paul Grayling - Mallee, Vic based

Paul said - I have seen a lift in Hay enquiry and sales. It seems buyers are having to hunt a little bit harder than the norm to find the right article. Vetch Hay has proven popular, but very hard to find the right fit quality-wise. Straw prices are on the drop as people are keen to clear stock, with some reasonable quality Straw out there at sub $100 m/t. Freight has also been a sticking point between availability and cost. It can seem to be hard to make it viable.  

Shane Ruyg - Qld based

Shane said - With the winter setting in and wet conditions, we are finally starting to see Hay move again in some reasonable quantities. Hearing that there is Hay heading up into NSW and QLD with the stocks very low, but in VIC, it's not the case, with just the quality being the issue after 3 poor years of production. With the EOFY gone, we are seeing a few more listings come on and some interstate buyers travelling in and grabbing what best suits them, whether that is Lucerne/Vetch or Cereal Hay. Good rains over the past few weeks will hopefully get this season's Hay in a position where the quality is better in 2023 than in the past few years.

Mike Pickard - Travelling around 

Mike said - Inquiry for Hay has picked up with sales of Lucerne Silage, Pasture Hay as extra feed over the winter months for Livestock. Demand is there for good quality Hay for feedlots in the Northern parts of New South Wales and Queensland, and they are fairly active at the moment. There has been good rain through Central Queensland, 50 to 100 mm spreading down onto the Darling Downs with 30 to 40 mm, which will be a boost to some areas that were dry. Rain through Northern New South Wales 15 to 25 mm fell in the Northern parts, which will all help and assist moving forward.

Jim Oehms - Northern Country, Vic based

Jim said - I am finding that Hay has been on the move up with more enquiries coming through in the last few weeks on a few different varieties. A few over SA way have also put Hay in for export this year. Some areas are green and have reasonable feed. 

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)

Introducing Load Looper, the invention designed by Ian and Andrea Hamilton, who are Farmers at Tatyoon. Ian best describes how Load Looper works here. "Load Looper is a weighted ball device that attaches to a loading strap to carry the strap over the highest legal loads and simplify the loading process.

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

Buy now, pay later for Hay! Try DelayPay today.