Hay Report - When the Hay cards fall your way

For the fortnight up to the 22nd of October 2025.

By Dwain Duxson 

It's not very often you get an industry in Ag where the Farmer can set their own price. Within reason, of course. Welcome to the domestic Hay industry. I know of another industry that is similar, and is really not known as an industry as such, but it's used Machinery. Farmers have to opportunity to set the price there as well.

Because there are no official indicators for both industries, it's always hard and fraught with danger to set your own prices. If you get it wrong and go too low, you could be costing yourself money, and if you go too high, you might not sell for some time. The market needle will roughly have a point, and if you meet that, you should be able to move something if there is any sort of demand.

But on the flip side, you have the buyers, and they are in the same boat. Once again, because there is no official indicator,  they will have the price they want to pay. So we have the seller wanting to set the market in their favour, and the buyer wants to do the same. I know our sales guys get a bit of stick about making statements or comments around where the market is at, and if what buyers or sellers are hearing doesn't suit them, then they can get a bit narky

And like the Used Machinery market, the Hay market has so many variables; because of that, it can become very subjective. 

And last but not least, the pengelum goes side to side depending on whether there's green grass or not. If demand is high because it's dry, the seller gets their ideal conditions. If stock are grazing happily on green grass, then demand for Hay is not, so if any buyer wants it, they have some pretty good bargaining power.

The guys will explain where the market is currently at.

Back in a fortnight.

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

Here are the latest prices. No changes from a fortnight ago.

Vetch is in the bracket of $355 to $450 a tonne (New Season).

Cereal Hay ranges from $250 to $365 a tonne (New Season)

Lucerne Hay ranges from $350 to $615 a tonne.

Clover & Rye Hay is selling around $550 a tonne.

Straw is making anywhere from $110-$300 a tonne.

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

Paul Grayling - Mallee, Vic-based

Paul said - This last fortnight has seen more new season Hay being listed, with a few lots selling and a fair few enquiries. With the pricing back on what it was over the last few months and quality up on the last couple of years, things are looking positive. Cereal Hay is probably one line that will be healthier this year, with some really good tests already popping up with more to follow over the next few weeks. Vetch Hay tests are also looking very good, with High Energy and Low NDF tests seeming to be plentiful. The main question will be what quantities will be out there.

Shane Ruyg - Qld-based

Shane said - Over the past fortnight, it's become clear that the Hay season is officially underway, with a fair number of areas dropping their crops after deciding they won't make the cut for Grain. As we speak, a bit of rain is forecast — not ideal for those with Hay on the ground, but a welcome sign for the Grain growers hoping to finish off and fill those heads. We're hearing that some Vetch Hay has already been baled, shedded, and even sold straight out of the paddock. Cereal Hay, on the other hand, is a different story — there's still plenty lying on the ground and a lot yet to be baled. It'll be interesting to see how this plays out, but with sheds sitting empty and dry conditions in some areas, it's shaping up to be positive for the Hay job moving forward. Hopefully, the weather holds, and growers can get it into a bale without too much damage if that rain does arrive.

Mike Pickard - On the road

Mike said - I had a bit of a road trip through South Australia this week, starting at Streaky Bay, Eyre Peninsula, where the Crops are very hit and miss. At Streaky Bay, they are okay, but if you cruise north to Poochera, where all you can see is short Stunted crop with no leaf and coming into head. Cruising east towards Port Augusta, there are areas of good and marginal. We then went through Wilmington and down through the Clare Valley, where it was 60% crop and about 40% down on the ground ready to be put in a bale. In Queensland, hearing that it's quite dry at present, especially across the Darling Downs, the summer Cropping program needs to see moisture. Over all some very good yields around the Goondiwindi district 5-6 t/ Ha Barley and 5.5-6 T / Ha in wheat, with feedlots in the hunt for Straw after harvestA lot of questions are still being asked and decisions to be made about pricing and how much do I put down and how much if I've got the moisture do I let go through to Grain. Given the price of Grain, it always seems to be at a low point as harvest comes about, and then three or four months later, the prices generally go up, similar to Hay.

Jim Oehms - Northern Country, Vic-based

Jim said - Well, it is certainly at the pointy end of the Hay season right now, as a lot have dropped their Hay and are not wanting the rain that has been predicted. We are seeing a few varieties coming onto the market now, and prices are more realistic than a few months ago. Vetch, Barley, Oaten and Wheaten have been listed. There are some good Feed tests as well. There are some good results in certain areas of Vic and NSW, with some pretty good yields expected from what I have heard. Pricing is the major topic for a lot of those we are talking to. I think that there will be a better outcome than what a lot had predicted, which is good to hear. I have been getting a fair few queries on Straw as well, so if you do have Straw available, best to get it listed, or we can help you get it listed. Just remember, it is always best to have a feed test done if selling your Hay and if buying, to inspect first.

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)

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