Meanwhile, Tasmania is seeing good pasture growth but hay supplies remain tight, leading to sizeable price spikes for those lines which are available.
Many producers are continuing to rebuild on-farm stores, or lock away production for export or pre-contracted buyers.
On the other side of the country, Western Australia is set to have a good hay and silage season with the turnaround in the outlook from a few months ago. This is seeing a reduction in demand and prices as a result.
Northern Queensland continues to see reasonable hay production and reduced demand, which is building up stores and reducing the price point.
Due to the lack of rains in South Australia and the low subsoil moisture there looks to be an increase in the amount of cereal crops which will be cut for hay — this will boost the amount available in the region though the quality will be variable.
Gippsland is showing a different outlook to the rest of Victoria with good soil moisture and reasonable warmth promoting pasture growth and the production of silage.
Goulburn and Murray valleys
There was widespread very low rainfall across the region for the week ending September 13, with all areas recording between 5mm and 10mm of rain.
Most of this fell mid-week with the remainder dry, though overcast.
Temperatures continue to be above average in the region with some drying winds recorded.
Pastures in the region are continuing to show the effects of low rainfall and warmer temperatures.
Anything irrigated is doing well, dryland pastures need additional rains. Fodder continues to be fed out.
Vetch hay is coming off this week along the NSW/Victoria border and looking to be baling quite well.
Cereal crops in the same region need a good rain or these will move into hay production rather than grain production.
The strong winds last week have caused some damage to oat crops around Shepparton, however, comments suggest that the crops should still be fine for making decent hay.
As expected with the continued lack of good rains and the low subsoil moisture, some croppers have made the call to cut a portion of their cereal crops for hay this week, with other expected to follow suit in the next few weeks if conditions persist.
Local inquiries are steady as continued lack of rain sees pastures beginning to show stress, balanced against the cutting of protein and cereal hays in the region.
Protein hay remains in fairly high demand. As has been the case for some time demand continues to be driven out of the drier parts of the state and into South Australia.
Prices for the week ending September 13:
- Cereal hay: +3 ($335 to $380/tonne). Prices increased.
- Lucerne hay: +/-0 ($400 to $460/tonne). Prices remained steady.
- Straw: +5 ($130 to $160/tonne). Prices increased.
- Pasture hay: +/-0 ($280 to $320/tonne). Prices remained steady.
Note: Unless stated otherwise, prices are per tonne, sourced and delivered locally.
The hay report is produced for Dairy Australia by the Australian Fodder Industry Association, the national independent voice for the Australian fodder industry, which connects the entire supply chain from seed to feed.
For more information, go to: https://www.afia.org.au
