Hay Report - The Wet Continues

Winter has arrived and the wet weather has continued, with most areas receiving a good drink. As we speak, another wet week is forecast across much of the eastern states, and we're also hearing reports that rain is finally starting to fall in WA.

As the sales team have mentioned in their reports below, hay activity remains fairly quiet at the moment. Since the widespread rain arrived across NSW around 4–6 weeks ago, the market has largely come to a standstill, with only spot loads and the occasional quality parcel being snapped up by traders, particularly in dairy regions.

Speaking with a number of sellers, there is a feeling that demand will begin to increase once the colder winter conditions really set in. Many growers are keen to move last season's hay stocks before attention turns to the new season crops. As a result, pricing has softened slightly in some areas, with sellers looking to clear hay from paddocks before further rain and weather exposure impacts quality.

Overall, the rain has brought a renewed level of confidence to the industry as we move into the growing season. Soil moisture profiles have improved significantly across many regions, and at this stage all indications suggest we could be heading towards a strong year ahead. Fingers crossed the season continues to deliver.

Back in a fortnight..

Shane Ruyg

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

Here are the latest prices.

• Vetch is in the bracket of $250 to $455 a tonne (New Season)
•  Cereal Hay ranges from $150 to $410 a tonne (New Season)
•  Lucerne Hay ranges from $285 to $655 a tonne.
•  Clover & Rye Hay ranges from $230-$450 a tonne.
•  New Season Straw ranges (at the moment) is from $80-$150 a tonne.

We go around the grounds to hear from our Farm Tender Sales team:

Paul Grayling - Mallee, Vic-based

The last fortnight has seen things slow up on the hay Job and there is still some action but enquiry has softened, With the rain around and the weather getting colder enquiry should start to lift on production hay with more parcels popping up in the new financial year with pricing being adjusted to meet the market as sellers will want to clear stock on cereals and any hay stored outside. Feed tests and photos with bale weights are proving to be imperative in making sales.

Mike Pickard - Currently on leave

Jim Oehms - Northern Country, Vic-based

Over the past fortnight, the hay job has noticeably quietened down over all the varieties. in saying that, there are still parcels being taken, but a truck load or two here and there. With the rains that have been happening over the southern and east coasts up to QLD, there are a lot of happy people right now and there is sufficient feed for them at the moment. Straw and silage are also having a good nibble at too. Prices remain pretty standard across all varieties. Remember, that if you are selling hay to have a feed test done, and if you are looking at buying, 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 call us on 1300 Farming (1300 327 646)