Hay Report - Rare selling opportunity awaits

For the fortnight up to the 29th of May 2024.

By Dwain Duxson

Memories of the 2017 to 2020 drought throughout Queensland and NSW have resurfaced in the last fortnight, with Hay quickly becoming a red-hot commodity. A desirable parcel might get listed, and within the day, it's gone. Although the demand is similar to that drought period, conditions are not as the season still has the potential to be a reasonable one. It's dry, yes, but with the potential still there, drought will only be talked about if the break doesn't come until it's too late. It's not too late yet.

For sellers, this is a once-off opportunity to clear the Hay and Straw stocks that have built up for some time. So, our advice is to get your listings up sooner rather than later and take advantage of the current situation. It's a rare selling opportunity.

Many we have spoken to in the Livestock game throughout WA, SA, Vic, Tassie and up the Eastern side of NSW have resigned to the fact that they will be feeding right through to spring at the very least. There has been some rain throughout WA as we write, and more rain is forecast for some of the drier areas, which could see a break in the weather pattern. If this is the case, and we can get the season away in these areas, things will improve. But, for the short term, it will only ever paint Pasture Paddocks green. That being said, with some rain, the Crops will get away alot quicker than Pasture Paddocks, and any bulk growth will soon catch up in the spring time. Providing it rains.

Also, we must consider that alot of these areas that are dry are traditionally high stocking rate areas, so there are plenty of mouths to feed. Some of these people who have been Farming for a long time have never seen it as challenging.

On the payment side of things, we have the ability to do the invoice on behalf of the seller to the buyer and take the funds into our account, which means a little bit of assurance and insurance for seller and buyer alike. Talk to any of the sales or admin people for more info.

Also, don't forget about DelayPay, if you do need terms up to 6 months give Kelsey and call on 0409 117 730 or Mieke on 0455 888 392.

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

Prices once again were up $10 to $25 a tonne on the last fortnight. All prices are Ex Farm.

Good Vetch and Hay has risen to $350 a tonne.

Straw is one of those things that is pretty negotiable, and most of the latest sales have been around $100 a tonne.

Lucerne Hay has gone up and is selling at around $400 a tonne.

Good Cereal Hay is getting up around the $300 a tonne mark again.

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

Paul Grayling - Mallee, Vic based

Paul said - The last fortnight has seen the Hay job continue to gather momentum. We are seeing constant sales happening from most areas with quality packages being grabbed fairly quickly. We have also seen lesser quality lots selling to cover the Feed Gap that has presented itself; with Rain forecast for later in the week for most areas, some relief might be in store, although the weather has cooled off, and growth might not buy as much time as some are hoping for. If you need it for the winter might be wise to secure it now as it will only be more expensive later if it's there at all. 

Shane Ruyg - Qld based

Shane said - It has been one of the busiest fortnights in the Hay job for some time, with the job as silly as it was 3 years ago with the continued dry down in Victoria and SA. We are seeing lots of Cereal Hay, Vetch and Straw change hands, with some in big parcels and others in spot loads. We are hoping to see more Hay come on the market once Cropping is finished, but the word is there is not much about it. Pricing has firmed as the supply and demand bug bites, and if you do have any, please list asap. The worry is not only may we run out, but it may affect the coming season, and with rains predicted this week, let's hope it happens for the sake of the 24/25 Hay season.

Mike Pickard - On the road

Mike said - Talking to a Hay supplier in Central Queensland with 2 million cattle within 400 km of Rockhampton they are flat out supplying weaner Hay for the mustering season . Mainly Rhodes Grass Hay. Talking to a couple of Hay Producers in the Northern Territory, they are doing much the same. Back in Victoria, a lot of Hay has disappeared from our website, and quite a few Farmers are electing to hang onto existing Stocks until they see how the season pans out. Other areas are still selling Hay, and it is in demand.

Jim Oehms - Northern Country, Vic based

Jim said - What a week it has been. I would say that probably every second call I have been getting is on Hay/Straw. It is in great demand at the moment and has been for a while now. Big parcels are being purchased as there is just a lack of Feed in the Southern states due to the lack of rain (Although there is talk of about up to 30mm in SA, Vic and NSW, where we need it this week, maybe more, maybe less). Feed tests are being looked at also for quality of Feed. Prices for Vetch, Oaten and Wheaten have risen.

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)

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.