Hay Report - Minds made up on a wet Spring

For the fortnight up to the 30th of August 2022.

By Dwain Duxson

Talking to Farmers, there is optimism and caution around this year's Spring.

Heading into any Spring with moisture in the tank has to be viewed with optimism. The cautious ones are the ones that are already too wet, and a wetter than average Spring, which is forecast, could exacerbate the problems they are currently experiencing. 

For most, moisture will not be a limiting factor.

A wet Spring will also play havoc with Hay Producers. We have all been through it before, and it's a nightmare for Contractors and Producers alike. Stop-start and waiting for stuff to cure is no fun for anyone.

And maybe, we have our minds made up that it's going to be a wet Spring when maybe, it might turn out to be something that resembles perfection. Things change so quickly in this Farming game, and we never really know what's ahead anyway.

That said, the need for a quality Hay season this time around is imperative.

As Mike mentioned below, there is demand for Hay and Straw in Queensland due to the cold and wet conditions they have been experiencing.

There has been plenty of Hay Gear selling through the Farm Tender website. Self Propelled Windrowers that can double as Mower Conditioners have been selling like hotcakes in the last 3 weeks. Hay Rakes have been strong sellers, and Mower Conditioners and Balers have been solid.

Also, the Load Loopers are starting to sell well in the lead-up to the new Hay Season. They are specifically made for carting loads of Hay. I am convinced that once you see these Load Loopers in action, you will understand their worth. Visit the Load Loopers sites at both the Henty and Elmore Field Days or buy direct off the Farm Tender website.

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

Farmers are looking to clean out their Sheds before the new Hay season, which is leading to a bit of discounting. As Paul mentioned below, the Hay job is all over the place right now.

Most of the Vetch Hay we have sold in the last fortnight has been the medium-grade stuff and selling for between $200 and $250 a tonne. 

Prices for Cereal Hay are wide and varied due to the different ranges in quality that are out there. We sold Cereal Hay anywhere from $110 to $220 a tonne. 

Straw sales have been ok, and we know that there are still Stacks around Farmers would like cleared. Prices have been each side of $70 a tonne. 

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 - Over the last fortnight, we have continued to see the Hay Job be all over the place, With enquiries coming in from many different places. We are seeing people start to look for good quality Cereal Hay. It seems that there is close to more people chasing the quality than those who are selling it. Hopefully, this season will be more conducive to better quality being produced. 

Shane Ruyg - Qld based

Shane said - Shane is on leave at the time of writing.

Mike Pickard - Travelling around 

Mike said - Just talking to a supplier in Queensland, he is saying inquiry for Hay is equivalent to drought times at the moment. With the weather the way it is, always raining and cold, the need for good quality Hay is going through the roof. He's extremely worried about the supply of good quality Hay and Straw for next year, especially locally. He has also reported that he buys a lot of Hay in Victoria on a first-load basis, and the last three lots haven't been up to standard. Feed Tests and photos don't match what he's been sent.

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.