Hay Report - Has there been a better start?

Talking with plenty of growers, we are hearing a common theme: “One of the best starts to a season they have ever seen.”

That is quite remarkable when some of these comments are coming from growers in their 70s and 80s who have seen it all — droughts, floods and every type of season imaginable — yet are saying this could possibly be one of the best.

I know this isn’t happening in every state, but what makes this season different is the size of the area experiencing such good conditions. Normally, we see these types of starts being quite patchy, with thunderstorms and unseasonal weather setting some areas up with summer rain while others miss out. This year, however, the conditions appear to be much more widespread.

With such strong growth, we are also starting to see some challenges, including early growth, logging, disease and insects, just to name a few. We are hearing that some of these issues are already occurring in areas across the cropping areas.

Spraying has also become a challenge. Some growers are turning to planes and drones, while others are hoping for a break in the weather so they can get machinery into the paddocks and spray conventionally. However, this can create its own problems, with machinery potentially bogging up or damaging the ground in the crop rows before harvest.

From a hay perspective, we are hearing that Vetch is being dropped in some areas. With rain occurring this week and more forecast for September, there is a real risk that some hay could become damaged before it gets the opportunity to properly cure. Thick, advanced crops can be particularly difficult to dry, increasing the risk of staining, mould and darker-coloured hay. Recent industry commentary is also highlighting the potential for quality issues in new-season vetch following continued rain.

This could create an interesting hay market as we move forward. We may have plenty of volume coming, but the big question will be how much of it makes good-quality hay. If weather conditions continue to make curing difficult, quality could become the major talking point rather than quantity.

For buyers, this will make feed testing and knowing exactly what you are purchasing even more important as the new season progresses.

Let’s hope growers can maximise what is potentially one of the best seasons they have seen and take full advantage of what is certainly shaping up to be a season out of the box.

Good luck and happy cropping!

Back in a fortnight..

Shane Ruyg

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

Here are the latest prices.

• Vetch is in the bracket of $180 to $525 a tonne (25/26 Season)
• Cereal Hay ranges from $100 to $350 a tonne (25/26 Season)
• Lucerne Hay ranges from $285 to $655 a tonne.
• Clover & Rye Hay ranges from $230-$450 a tonne.
• New Season Straw ranges (at the moment) is from $80-$150 a tonne.

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

Paul Grayling - Mallee, Vic-based

The last fortnight has seen more rain across the eastern sea board, with sales grinding away without too much consistency, with wet paddocks and big bulky Hay Crops coming along at a decent rate of knots some aren’t too far away from starting to cut, with some early birds apparently already having the mowers out, A lot of Hay growers are nervously watching the weather reports albeit without a heap of confidence and are hoping for some warm weather to aid the curing process, The next 4 weeks will determine how the next Hay season will be accounted for. Here’s hoping that everyone gets the favourable weather they are hoping for.

Mike Pickard - On the Road

Other than the occasional spot load there has not been a lot of hay moving. Hearing there is a bit of crop  being baled  up on the Queensland New South Wales Border, as crops are struggling with the dry. Down south it is the complete opposite where in some areas of Victoria and New South Wales it is just totally saturated . Talking to one fella in the Riverina area. He said every little cloud that came over dropped something on the ground. It will be interesting to see the quality of new season hay moving forward, some are talking of green manure.

Jim Oehms - Northern Country, Vic-based

The hay job is still pretty quiet at the moment due to the rains and feed on the ground, i have noticed that a few are looking at grain for their stock now also. A fair few have been asking about pricing and reducing the prices on what they have in their sheds now to get rid of this before new season comes onto the market, so would be a good time to be looking at getting it now. Prices on all varieties are still steady. Straw is being sought after as well. Those dryer areas from northern NSW to QLD are looking as close as possible to them due to fuel prices. In certain patches of Vic, the rains and water on the ground are starting to damage crops and may need to start cutting early. Remember, if you are looking at selling your hay, to have a feed test done, and if you are buying, to inspect first.

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)