Hay Report - Murphys Law

For the fortnight up to the 5th of November 2025.

By Shane Ruyg

Murphy’s Law says, “Once you drop your crop for hay, it’ll rain.” And right on cue, that curse has hit a few areas. Growers are now working out how to minimise the damage without losing too much quality. It always seems to happen when things are tight and when we can least afford it — both from a buyer’s and a seller’s point of view.

The rain will also have a knock-on effect on the export job. While some have managed to get their hay baled and under cover — putting them in the box seat when it comes time to sell — plenty are still waiting for paddocks to dry out. As we know, the longer it sits there, the more the quality drops and prices start to slide.

That said, with this season starting from a low base, it may not be all doom and gloom. If we can get a few windy weeks to help dry things out, there’s still a chance to bale hay at safe moisture levels. The last thing anyone needs now is fires taking out what little stock we do have.

With the weather looking to swing back toward drier conditions over the next 10 days, we’ll likely see a flurry of machinery working overtime to get hay into bales and off the ground before any more damage is done. Once that’s behind them, growers might finally be able to take a breath — and prepare for the rush when fodder demand kicks in.

Back in a fortnight.

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

Here are the latest prices.

Vetch is in the bracket of $375 to $450 a tonne (New Season)

Cereal Hay ranges from $240 to $375 a tonne (New Season)

Lucerne Hay ranges from $380 to $615 a tonne.

Clover & Rye Hay ranges from $350-$380 a tonne.

New Season Straw ranges (at the moment) is from $100-$200 a tonne.

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

Paul Grayling - Mallee, Vic-based

Paul said - This past Fortnight has seen the weather Gods play funny buggers in a reasonable way with most growers being affected by either wind or rain with some copping both, Yes there will be some down graded hay getting pressed up over the next couple of weeks but depending on how much rain they had will determine the severity of the damage, As per the norm Feed Tests are paramount in securing quality Feed. This most recent weather event could also see any Hay not affected by Rain demand a premium. With a lot more Hay to hit the market over the next 2 months this should aid in pricing settling down.

Mike Pickard - On the road

Mike said - A few farmers that I’ve been speaking to are reporting that they’ve had good rain over the last 10 days and their crops have lifted so there may not be as much hay as first originally thought. The other scenario at play here is the crop that has been laid over for hay has had a bit of rain on it how much damage if any has been caused. Talking to a few in the Riverina they want to get it in a bale before listing and getting feed test will be a priority moving forward.

Jim Oehms - Northern Country, Vic-based

Jim said - The hay job has certainly picked up a gear since our last report. With the recent rain events in Vic, S.A and northern NSW, a lot are holding off on baling and there may be a slight decrease in quality with the rain on cut hay that has not been baled as yet. Some frosts in the Wimmera areas have also damaged some crop too. Vetch, Lucerne and Canola are looking pretty good. Cereal hay has started to be shedded in areas as well. Prices are a bit more reasonable these days and there have been some decent yields from a few i have spoken too in NSW, getting more than they had initially expected. If you are selling your hay i would suggest to have a feed test done and if you are buying hay, 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 1300 Farming (1300 327 646)

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