Hay Report - Hay on hand is good insurance

For the fortnight up to the 21st of June 2022.

By Dwain Duxson

Hay sales have levelled out over the last fortnight. 

The cold weather and dryer-than-normal conditions in the South West of Victoria is keeping Hay on the move. Most of the Hay being sold is either going into Beef or Dairy operations that are looking for high production whilst the prices are high.

It doesn't look like it yet, but I know some Farmers are preparing for the next drought whenever that might hit. Some of these guys are loading up Sheds whilst the going is good, and the buying price is reasonable. A few older Farmers I know said they never go too long having empty bays in the Shed. It's good insurance, they say.

Feedlots are starting to look at Hay as the cheaper alternative with Grain contracts finishing up, and they are having to negotiate Grain at a higher rate.   

I have a theory for when the next drought hits. Not that we wish it on anyone, but I don't think there will be as much Hay sold compared to previous droughts. I think Farmers who have Livestock are much better prepared this time around. 

If you're thinking of filling those Sheds and don't have the funds right now, check out this article on how to buy Hay with DelayPay.

Freight has become a higher cost, with the Weekly Times reporting that freight rates have risen 25 to 30 percent since January. And just to add to the gloom, a Fuel Distributor reckons we are going to have used to $3 diesel. Hope not

The June to August forecast for rain put out by the BOM (pictured below) shows that the wet conditions might continue with only Western Tasmania and South West WA looking dry.

The AFIA 2022 National Fodder Conference is on from the 25th to the 27th of July. It's the premier event for the domestic and Export Hay markets, and I urge you all to attend. Click on the link here and scroll down, where you will get all the info. See the flyer below.

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

A1 Vetch Hay reached $330 a tonne in the last fortnight. It looks like the Vetch Hay prices have risen another $5 to $10 over that period. 

Domestic Oaten Hay made up to $180 a tonne.

Lucerne Hay is popular and is commanding $330 plus a tonne.

Most of the Pature Hay made between $160 and $180 a tonne.

Straw sales got to $70 a tonne, with not much traded this fortnight.

All prices quoted are ex GST and ex Farm.

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

Paul Grayling - Mallee, Vic based

Paul said - When talking to prospective Hay buyers, the one common requirement is a Feed Test. With so much variance in the Hay out there, buyers are looking for more information to help them select the right article, so if you haven't already, do yourself a favour and get your Hay tested. 

There are buyers constantly browsing the site, and most won't bother commenting on a parcel without a test. It also gives you a really good guide on how to effectively price and sell your Hay.

Shane Ruyg - Qld based

Shane said - A solid fortnight with around 800-1000 tonne moving (personally), with Vetch Hay the majority sold and Cereal and Clover Hay rounding out the rest. It will be interesting to see what quantities are produced this year with Grain pricing very high atm and what amounts will be grown for export and domestic. Indications are that it will be down considerably this year.

Mike Pickard - Travelling around 

Mike said - Hay is starting to bob up out of the woodwork as Planting has finished, and farmers can designate more time for selling and loading Hay. Oaten, Barley, and Lucerne Hay are popular, along with Silage. Most sales are across Southern New South Wales and Victoria. With the odd sale going into Queensland to the feedlot industry

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

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.

For easy, over-the-phone approvals in less than 24 hours, call Kelsey 0409 117 730 or Hannah 0429 479 072 or find out more about DelayPay here.