Hay Report - Crystal Ball Gazing

For the fortnight up to the 17th of April 2025.

By Dwain Duxson 

As humans, we have this thing called recency bias, where we forget how things were. I remember in my 20s when they used to have Farmers ring into the local radio station stating the rain totals, and the general comment of any March or April rain was "best break ever". We all suffer from it.

This last fortnight has been off the charts busy as far as enquiries and sales of Hay are concerned. In the last 4 or 5 weeks, we have had over 100 sales contracts per week, with most of them being Hay. I will refrain from saying it's the busiest time ever because the 2017-2020 period would have had busier times for sure.

I think I said in last fortnight's report that buyers have stepped up from buying spot loads to several loads at once. Farmers have brushed the dust off their crystal ball and taken a bit of a harder look. What they have seen is the possibility of having to feed a little bit further into the future, so they are acting accordingly.

Another commodity with increased activity is Feed Grain. Our Farm Tender platform has seen a gradual increase in listings and, in turn, sales of Feed Grain over the years. It seems to have created this Farmer to Farmer niche for selling spot loads. If you have a Silo of Feed Grain, make sure you get it listed.

We are seeing many Hay Producers selling out of Hay, and some parcels are just coming onto the market. The general consensus is that stocks are getting low, as those with Livestock and Hay combined are not parting with any Hay just in case.

Straw has also been in heavy demand, and one Farmer asked me if there would be any demand for Corn trash. Probably, I said.

Back in the fortnight

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

Prices haven't moved an inch in the last fortnight as many are maxed out, and we can't see them going any higher.

Vetch is in the bracket of $265 and $415 a tonne.

Cereal Hay ranges from $250 to $380 a tonne. However, there are sellers trying to push the price up.

Lucerne Hay ranges from $250 to $505 a tonne.

Clover & Rye Hay is selling anywhere from $300 to $375 a tonne.

Straw is making anywhere from $90 to $180 a tonne, and much has been taken off the market as Farmers are looking to keep it for their own use.

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

Paul Grayling - Mallee, Vic based

Paul said - The last fortnight has seen a lift in the Hay Job with some larger parcels moving. Straw has also become sought after, with Feedlots getting into the action as we start to see supply tighten up. Feed Tests, Bale Weights and good photos are all keys to selling your Fodder, as all this info is factored in when looking to secure parcels. With no break as yet, we are seeing the Feed gap starting to get bigger. Supply is getting light, so if you comment on a listing, don't wait to hear back. Get proactive and make the call. The age-old saying "the early bird gets the worm."

Shane Ruyg - Qld based

Shane said - The Hay job is really starting to fire up with a lot more activity with the continued dry spell and the likely hood that most will be feeding out for the foreseeable future. Stocks of good Hay and Straw are drying up, and we are starting to see more enquiries from buyers looking at purchasing in the NSW area, which is quite the opposite of what we usually see during a drought, but with SA and VIC continuing to be dry, this may happen a bit more. Pricing is hitting some high numbers, which is not ideal for the buyer, and freight costs are not much better either, if you are able to organise it.

Mike Pickard - On the road

Mike said - Mike was unavailable at the time of writing.

Jim Oehms - Northern Country, Vic based

Jim said - It has been a very busy period over the last few months in regards to Hay and Straw, especially in the Vic / SA and into the Riverina, as there has been a lack of rain and feed is needed. Prices of all varieties are still even par and not getting any higher. I see that Oaten, Barley, Vetch and Pasture Hay are among the most queried, but the others are still up there as well. Transport is still a key factor in purchasing. There have been a few that I have spoken to that are holding onto the Hay that they have in their sheds/paddocks until a decent rain comes, as they will need it themselves. Remember that if buying Hay, it is best to arrange an inspection before purchase and, if selling, to have a feed test done.

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)

Introducing Load Looper, the invention designed by Ian and Andrea Hamilton, who are Farmers at Tatyoon. Ian best describes how Load Looper works here. "Load Looper is a weighted ball device that attaches to a loading strap to carry the strap over the highest legal loads and simplify the loading process.

To watch a video on how it works or to buy Load Looper go to the website here.

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