Hay Report - Hay is still moving.

For the fortnight up to the 10th of January 2024.

By Dwain Duxson

As you would know, current conditions mean the demand for Hay has dropped off. It's not off the cliff, as there is still stuff moving, but buyers are only looking for spot loads at the moment.

We seem to forget how long Summer and Autumn can drag on for, and just because there is grass around now doesn't mean there will be in 6 weeks' time. Things can change. Also, not everyone is getting rain. WA is dry, as it usually is at this time of year, and there are patches through the wetter states that have been missing out.

If you have listings up on Farmer Tender, make sure you talk to the sales guys (numbers and email addresses are below) to keep refining them; if you now have Feed Test, make sure they are added. Also, we can refresh a listing and get it to the top again with the push of a button.

If you haven't listed your Hay as yet, make sure you get it out there, as it's really hard to predict which lot a buyer will go for.

Prices aren't shifting too much, but we might see some sellers meet the market with a discounted rate, which could change things.

There is still plenty of good Hay out there.

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

Vetch Hay is still selling around the $300 a tonne mark, the real good stuff slightly higher. 

We sold a parcel of Clover Hay for $305 a tonne.

We have sold quite a few parcels of Straw and some up to $125 a tonne. But the price is quite varied, and dependant on condition. 

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

Paul Grayling - Mallee, Vic based

Paul said - We have seen a few sales on the Hay front to start the year, with a lot of rain in most areas, the demand is there while things dry out. The effects of all this rain will continue to hang around for some time. Good to see the Stock job heading in the right direction. Cereal Hay seems to be very popular with the sale of protein Hay softening due to what I think is a combination of the price of Stock and freight rates. 

Shane Ruyg - Qld based

Shane said - As the rain continues to fall, we are seeing less Hay sold atm with very little moving apart from some spot loads or people stocking up for the future dry. We are still seeing some good quality listings of Vetch and Oaten Hay along with Straw, which means when it turns at some stage, there will be some good product available. Where possible, obviously, Shedding is the best alternative, and if you haven't had it tested, my suggestion would be to get that done before we get into the colder months to avoid any hold-ups or opportunities to sell..

Mike Pickard - On the road

Mike said - Rain, rain, rain everywhere. Some want it, others do not. There have been some great falls across Queensland, with some areas in flood, which is good for the Country out West. As we know there have been huge falls in Victoria. Some have been flood-impacted twice in the last 12 months. With rain falling across the East Coast, a lot of farmers have taken advantage of putting in some Forage Sorghum as well as Millet to generate some Stock feed while Pastures recover. On the Darling Downs, Feedlots are full at the moment with Straw; there was a lot of Straw baled last year, so there is plenty to go around. 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 - Jim is away on leave at the time of writing.

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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