Hay Report - The Vetch conundrum

For the fortnight up to the 13th of September 2022.

By Dwain Duxson

We are starting to see Vetch Crops come down in the Mallee areas of South Australia and Victoria. Some have already had rain across the windrows, and with more forecast, it's not the ideal start to the new Hay season. However, as we know, things can change, and a good run of warmish weather would allow some curing to occur and get things back on track.

But, if the less promising scenario occurs and we do see wet conditions, Farmers will have to decide which direction they should take.

Vetch Hay is arguably the most important Hay category as far as domestic Hay consumption is concerned. So the need for large supplies of good quality Vetch Hay is super important. However, we have the elephant in the room.

Vetch is a versatile plant, as you know, you can Graze it, cut it for Hay, or Harvest the Seed, but you can also Green or Brown Manure it to top up nitrogen level in the soil for the next Crop.

Vetch is also a fickle plant with leaves that are generally fine and brittle, and that's where the feed value is. Producers know that Vetch Hay making and wet conditions don't mix.

So, with weather uncertainly around and the second wave increase in Fertiliser prices, Farmers would be entertaining the option of ploughing the Vetch Crop in. If that decision is made, it will have an effect on the amount of Vetch Hay produced. All we can do is watch what plays out.

Right now, the Hay market has gone quiet. There will be a spring flush of feed around and not enough Animals to eat down. Lamb and Sheep Restockers are just starting to enter the market and the need for Hay will be minimal until at least Christmas or beyond. 

Next fortnight we will have a bit of a look at where new season Hay prices might land. 

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

With the new Hay season underway, we are not seeing anything in the bale yet, so no new season prices have been seen yet.

Prices for old-season Vetch Hay have remained the same as the fortnight before. Medium-grade stuff and selling for between $200 and $250 a tonne. 

Cereal Hay demand has dropped off considerably. All pricing depends on quality, with the best quality stuff making around $200 a tonne max. 

Straw demand has dropped off also. 

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 - With the Hay Season upon us, there is some trepidation around due to the weather. We are already hearing there is rain effected Hay on the ground. Hopefully, things fine up, and we can jag a dry couple of weeks with the sun out for curing. Time will tell.

I have seen a few loads being enquired on and sold but without any major trends, with some areas (mostly down south) reporting a green drought. 

Shane Ruyg - Qld based

Shane said - With the rain still falling, we hear lots of reports of Vetch Hay down on the ground, which is not great news for the Hay job going forward. The advice from Agronomists is they are saying to spray it out, but farmers are hoping for a break in the weather so they can knock it down if they haven't already and get it in a bale before it pods.

Mike Pickard - Travelling around 

Mike said - Inquiry for Hay has slowed as more rain across Northern New South Wales and Queensland has stopped Producers from being able to get Hay delivered. Spring has arrived for some areas of Central Queensland where Crops are really powering ahead. There will be a fair bit of Hay and Straw cut in Central Queensland.

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)

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