Hay Report - Hay industry wish list

For the fortnight up to the 24th of July 2024.

By Dwain Duxson

The Australian Fodder Industry Association (AFIA) annual conference is on as we write, and unfortunately, we couldn't get there this year.

This got me thinking as to some of the things that should be on the wish list for the Australian Hay industry.

I know plenty have been talking about this since the inception of AFIA 25-odd years ago, but the Hay industry needs a Grain Trade Australia (GTA) equivalent as some sort of authority or keeper of the industry.

Another thing worth thinking about in this day of AI is having some formula where pricing is linked to either ME, NDF or Protein. Or it could be a formula that represents all three. It could be like a Breeding Value for Hay. Something standard. I'm sure the Feedlots and those mixing custom Feeds would be interested in something a little more precise. Smarter people than me have tried to get something going in the past, but I guess what we have now is a pretty simple system; subjective though, but we get by. But worth looking at all the same.

We need to get some sort of measuring tool as to what and how much Hay is out there on Farms. We could also do with some kind of ABARES forecasting model as they do with Grain. We need to get an idea of how much Hay we can expect to have come the new Hay season.

We should be doing more work in the Haystack fire space, how we can prevent them and using standard measures and tools to monitor more. It's something that doesn't seem to be getting any better

Can we do more around Hay Freight by standardising the rules across Australia and making it more straightforward for the Freight providers?

Can you think of anything else on the wishlist? Reply to dwaind@farmtender.com.au

Hay sales are still going strong, and the demand is still there. If anything, the prices have lifted slightly for Vetch and Cereal Hay. There seems to be a little more confidence around for the new Season, with more rain in key Hay-growing regions in the last fortnight.

Check out Kelsey Miller's interesting article here and a follow-up here, and 3rd part here on how Hay Trading/Buying/Selling meshes in with finance and how, in times of high demand, some will require a form of term finance to get through what is usually a tighter cash flow period. For any replies to his article, please email kelseym@delaypay.com.au. 

For 6-month terms through DelayPay, give Kelsey and call on 0409 117 730.

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

The best Cereal Hay made up to $385 a tonne this week, which means the price has risen a little in the last fortnight.

Good 2023 Vetch Hay peaked at $440 a tonne this week. Pricing is a little subjective, and some are asking for more than it's probably worth. The market decides.

Straw is one of those things that is pretty negotiable, depending on quality. We are seeing some parcels sell for $90 and some at $140 a tonne.

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

Paul Grayling - Mallee, Vic based

Paul said - With Hay continuing to shift, we are seeing some lesser quality Hay move also; there have been new parcels hit the market, but anything of any quality does not last long. Straw is also popular at the minute. There are a few sellers out there asking big money, but haven't got the quality to warrant the price tag. Hence, it's not selling. That being said, any high-quality production Hay will make good money. Freight is still a tough battle. Trying to find cheap rates has put the kibosh on a lot of prospective sales.

Shane Ruyg - Qld based

Shane said - It has been another busy fortnight on the Hay job with still plenty of Hay heading South, with lots reporting that they are seeing Trucks loaded heading past properties each hour or so. Pricing is continuing up as we head into a tricky period with new Hay still some time away and weather bitterly cold in places. Great to hear rain has hit most of the dry areas down South which will hopefully set them up for the spring, but unfortunately doesn't mean feed straight away.

Mike Pickard - On the road

Mike said - I reported earlier in the year that there was plenty of Hay and Straw in Northern New South Wales and Queensland, and the Feedlots had plenty ahead of them. Things have turned around a little bit with the wet weather from earlier in the year, which has destroyed a lot of the Straw and Hay, as most was left outside sitting in water in some places. Hearing on the grapevine that there are several shortfalls in contracted amounts to be delivered to Feedlots in Qld which is forcing some Trucking companies/onsellers to chase Straw and Hay. There's still a big demand in Hay in the South.

Jim Oehms - Northern Country, Vic based

Jim said - Even after the recent rains in SA and Vic. which was welcomed, it is still dry in these areas, a bit of hit and miss in places also. Talking to a few over in the Wimmera and Mallee areas, they say that they are seeing plenty of Hay moving along the highways every day. All varieties of Hay and Straw are popular and will be for a while, I think. There is also older quality Hay/Straw being taken to be used as feed mix. Freight is still a major factor also. So demand is still very high and if you do have any in the shed, now is a good time to get it listed up. Feed tests help a lot. Have a great week.

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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