Hay Report - Cyclones bring hope for some

For the fortnight up to the 5th of March 2025.

By Dwain Duxson

Cyclones can bring hope, just so long as you aren't under the real windy bits and the extreme rain. We hope those close are going to be ok. This one looks like it might fan out and bring good rains to half of Queensland, NSW and Victoria. It's going to be more East and Central than West of those states, as outlined by the black line in the image below. Also, NT and WA might get a drop as well.
 
Although some would say it's too early for a break, many people in SA and Victoria would give anything for rain as it's just been too dry for too long, and those with Livestock have been feeding profusely. Rain would do wonders for the psyche if not anything else.

ABARES has just done some updates to the Crop forecast, and when they are doing that, I often think what a wonderful thing something similar would be for the Hay Industry. Reason being is we never know where we are really at as far as Hay stocks go. Just going by the sales through Farm Tender, we would have to be chewing through plenty as we speak. The other unknown is when the break in the South is going to happen. Farmers in this area are looking for a break sooner rather than later. WA was in this very predicament last year; they had to wait until May for their break, and the year turned out to be a ripper. Let's hope for SA and Vic; the break can come soon, and the season can be as good as WA's from last year.

The positives are that we still have a supply of Hay for the short term, and prices have remained stable; the concerning part is how long Livestock Farmers will be feeding for and what if the supply does start to dry up. 

The next thing on the horizon will be the 2025 Hay season and what will come of that. We seem to be saying it every year lately, but we will need a good Hay season to build stocks back up.

I think I saw in the Weekly Times the other day that prices are at a decile 8, and with the cost higher for Freight, it makes Hay pretty expensive right now. Because we are at this decile 8 level and despite the demand increasing, we are still seeing prices staying very stable and not rising. There does come a point where Hay outprices itself, and buyers will turn to alternatives or cheaper mixes.

Intake of Export Hay this year has been very low, and exporters are having to adjust their specs just to get something to play with.

Back in the fortnight

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

If the prices look the same as a fortnight ago, you are right because they haven't really moved across the board.

Vetch is in the bracket of $375 and $405 a tonne.

The best Cereal Hay ranges from $250 to $350 a tonne, which is similar to a fortnight ago.

Lucerne Hay is as high as $400 a tonne.

Clover & Rye Hay is selling anywhere from $285 to $335 a tonne, which is also similar to last fortnight.

Straw is making anywhere from $80 to $150 a tonne, which is about the same.

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 Hay sales continue, with Cereal and Vetch being the most popular. Freight is still proving to be somewhat of a hurdle, making density Bales a key to making it cost-effective. We have also seen a few new parcels hit the market which have attracted some interest. With a lot of producers hoping to get a break sooner than later to see some of the pressures of Feeding relax and pastures to get moving again. Lots of talk about the Cyclone up north, wishing everyone all the best with it. 

Shane Ruyg - Qld based

Shane said - We have seen a huge increase in enquiries and sales with Hay on the move consistently going into Sth Vic and SA. All varieties, from Vetch to Cereal and Straw, are the main sources, and with the dry weather not budging, the likelihood of feeding for another 12 months is becoming a reality for some. The concern for many moving forward is that Hay is slim pickings with 3 average years of production has and will put a strain on supply. It is likely that we may need to pull Hay out of NSW later on, with most growers in the Riverina and Central NSW having good stocks, which will be a role reverse on what usually happens when supply is short.

Mike Pickard - On the road

Mike said - Interestingly enough, I went for a bit of a drive on the weekend up through Central Victoria and then up towards Mildura. The only Livestock I saw was Dairy Cattle with milking in full swing and all Cattle being fed in containment. Some good parcels of Barley Straw and Wheaton Straw are heading north into Queensland. This is being sourced through Central and Northern New South Wales. All eyes are on the weather system that is currently eventuating in Southern Queensland and Northern New South Wales with a flood watch over large areas. It is drawing weather across from Western Australia which could have a part to play in South Australia and Victoria over the coming weeks.

Jim Oehms - Northern Country, Vic based

Jim said - Well, the Hay game has certainly ramped up all over. The drier weather and lack of green has made people buy Hay and Straw. Feedlots are buying in bulk also as of the uncertainty of rains. Straw prices have risen just a little as well. I have also been placing Wanted listings for people looking at buying Hay as well. All varieties are being sought after, including Vetch, Oaten, Lucerne, Wheaten and Pasture, with buyers looking at feed tests and quality. There are also a few holding onto what they have due to uncertainty or part selling what they have. Very interesting and testing times, as some want the rain to hold off for a bit, and others are screaming for it.

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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