Hay Report - Unwelcome Dry

It’s been a busy fortnight, with drought like conditions pushing growers to the edge. The New England region of NSW is slipping deeper into drought, and if conditions don’t turn soon, carting water could become a reality.

We’re seeing large volumes of hay moving north every week, with barely a blade of grass left in some of the hardest-hit areas. But the biggest pressure point right now is freight. Fuel prices have driven transport costs to extreme levels, with some eye-watering quotes being thrown around.

As a result, producers are being forced into tough decisions daily whether to seek agistment, send stock to market, or continue feeding at a rising cost. None of these options come easy.

Rain would be welcome relief, but it won’t solve the problem overnight. What it could do is restore a bit of confidence for those battling through an incredibly difficult stretch.

General reminder when advertising hay, ensure feed test results and average bale weights are included. With the current rush in the market, this information is critical for buyers and helps avoid delays or unnecessary back-and-forth.

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 $280 to $455 a tonne (New Season)
•  Cereal Hay ranges from $200 to $390 a tonne (New Season)
•  Lucerne Hay ranges from $340 to $615 a tonne.
•  Clover & Rye Hay ranges from $350-$380 a tonne.
•  New Season Straw ranges (at the moment) is from $90-$155 a tonne.

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

Paul Grayling

The last fortnight has seen a lift in enquiry on Hay and has also seen more sales come through, although there are quite a few variables in the job at the minute with the main one being the cost of freight due to the current fuel scenario. Buyers seem to be more active, Hay stocks are fairly good with a lot of the more northern listings in Victoria being looked at. If you are selling make sure you advertise with bale weights and of course a feed test as distance and weights are just as important as the per m/t price.

Mike Pickard

Jim Oehms

Over the past fortnight there has been a bit of a change in the hay job. I have noticed that it has picked up 2 fold as the drier weather is still upon us and lack of rain. Most varieties and cereals are all being queried as is straw also. I can only seeing it getting busier in the following months as well. Vetch has been a little quiet as far as listings and availability, but there is still some out there. Prices are still pretty decent also. A main factor in hay purchases right now is the distance due to what fuel prices are doing and most looking as close as possible to them. Remember, if you are looking to sell your hay, to get a Feed test done, and if 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)