Hay Report - Well, well, well, that puts paid to that

For the fortnight up to the 18th of October 2022.

By Dwain Duxson

Well, well, well, that puts paid to that. The last 2 rain events have decimated any chance to make any Hay, let alone quality stuff. It's a scenario we haven't been in for a long time.

We are hearing reports that only 10 percent of the Hay made last season will be made this year. Such is the damage out there. This will have an enormous effect on the Feed job going forward.

There will be gaps filled with Summer Lucerne, opportunity Hay situations, Straw, 2nd growth, and Summer Crops. Farmers will use their initiative to come up with alternatives. Feed Grains will be a substitute of sorts.

The prime Hay Growing areas in Southern NSW, Victoria and South Australia will be a shadow of their normal self as far as Hay production is concerned.

We spoke to one Wimmera Farmer who was cutting Vetch today, knowing he was the only one in the district doing so. We were talking price, and both agreed if it turns out ok, then realistically, the price has to have a 4 in front of it.

I was in WA a couple of weeks ago and there was a bit of Hay around, they will have a more "normal" Hay season over there. Some of the Crops were looking for a drink to finish them. Shifting Hay has never been very economical, but never say never. 

If you do have Hay to sell and are looking for some payment security, make sure you talk to our Farm Tender guys about our NPS payment option, we can collect and hold the money and make sure it clears before any Hay is shifted. We have heard of a Fertiliser scam going on ATM, so they are out there taking advantage of any vulnerabilities going on in Ag.

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

With all that is going on, we did see a price increase for all Hay, but not over the top, and some decent parcels were sold. A top price for the fortnight was $280 a tonne for some stuff that wasn't quite top-notch. Overall we estimate Vetch Hay prices have risen $20 in the last fortnight. 

Cereal Hay demand was strong, with $210 seemingly the benchmark for the better quality stuff. Up $10 on the fortnight before.

Straw sales were quiet. 

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 - Paul is sandbagging in Kerang at the time of writing.

Shane Ruyg - Qld based

Shane said - With the Hay season decimated by the rain and floods, we are seeing a lot of inquiries on old-season Hay and Straw. My intel is saying that 90%+ of Hay will not be produced this season which will put enormous pressure on the feed job for the coming 12 mths.

Mike Pickard - Travelling around 

Mike said - It is certainly shaping up to be a pretty ordinary year for Hay production. Word on the street is there is a new Straw buyer operating out of Central Queensland. A Mining company has to revegetate a lot of their country and hearing they are chasing large quantities of Straw for mulch most of which they have sourced in central Queensland. 

There will be a reasonable supply of Rhodes Grass Hay available in central Queensland in the coming months as the weather gets warmer, but like most things, the price will be up there. Currently have some available at $375 per tonne ex Rockhampton.

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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