A Lake Rowan hobby farmer has become the good news story of the hay season, producing 450 round bales off only 18 ha.

Andrew and Tamlin McQualterWhite train quarterhorses on their dryland property, about 20 km from Yarrawonga, but decided to sow oats this season as something different.

Mr McQualter-White said he wasn't expecting such a massive result, but had some idea about how he yielded such a huge amount of hay.

"It's had 100 Texas Longhorn cattle and 40-odd horses on it for ages, so there's probably a heap of natural fertiliser built up over the years," he said.

The former rodeo contractor said the secret to his cut, at 24 bales to the hectare, was a mix of manure, rain and luck.

"It's a bit of a fluke, I reckon."

While not quite cutting the same volume of hay as the McQualterWhite family, other farmers in northern Victoria have also enjoyed a good start to the hay season.

Brendan McGee from hay equipment dealer O'Connors Shepparton said the season looked good so far.

"There looks to be a fair bit of hay around, and the way the season has gone it has all come at the same time," he said.

"The rain followed by the dry spell we are in now means everyone needs their hay baled at the same time."

Mr McGee said from a retailer's point of view, he had noticed a slight change in hay production for some farmers.

"There has been a bit of a move back towards small squares, particularly with hobby farmers and horse studs," he said.

"But dairy farmers will always use larger bales."

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As for the bottom line, northern Victorian hay prices are at their lowest point in years.

Cereal hay is now selling for $160-$180/tonne, while lucerne prices have also fallen, with prices at $260-$290/tonne.

Australian Fodder Industry Association executive officer Colin Peace said farmers could have a hard time selling their hay for the next month or two.

"There is always a heap of hay around at this time of year, so finding a buyer at the moment is the most difficult thing in the world."

Mr Peace also said despite a good hay season in some areas, Victoria might still find itself in a hay deficit.

"It has been a better grain season so there will be less crops cut for hay," he said.

"Also, there won't be huge amounts of hay coming from southern NSW, because generally the crops there just don't have the bulk to justify the costs of cutting, raking and baling."