Hay Report - Green feed a positive

For the fortnight up to the 24th of January 2024.

By Dwain Duxson

It will be short and sweet this fortnight because the market has been quiet.

There is green grass from the bottom or Tassie to the top of Queensland, with a few exceptions, of course. WA is very dry, and it's been hot. Having green feed on a rising Livestock market means that Livestock Farmers can keep costs to a minimum and claw back some of the losses from last year. So, green feed is a positive.

But if we get a week or two of hot weather, things can change a bit.

If you are looking to sell Hay at some point, it is best to have it listed, as there are still spot loads moving. You just don't know where the buyers are coming from. Talk to our sales guys if you want to keep updating your Hay listings, and we can get it back to the top of the list with the push of a button. It makes a difference.

Prices have stayed stable despite there being weaker demand.

Hay Shed fires have been a problem this year, and it's something we need to pay a bit more attention to as an industry.

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

Vetch and Clover Hay is still selling around the $300 a tonne mark. If anything, it has probably come off $10 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 past Fortnight hasn't seen a lot of change on the sales side of things. We are, however, seeing a few new listings coming online. With Clover Rye and Pasture Hay, as well as Cereals being listed. Feed Tests are imperative as per the norm, with the amounts of rain falling in some areas having a really big effect on quality both prior to and post-baling if they are stored outside. 

Shane Ruyg - Qld based

Shane said - Another quiet fortnight on the Hay job with rain and green feed everywhere. Seeing a little bit of Hay go down Gippsland way, but apart from that, we are only seeing spot loads where needed. With the Livestock job improving the quality of Hay out there, it will be in demand at some stage.

Mike Pickard - On the road

Mike said - In general, Hay sales are pretty quiet, although there is the odd load going. My thinking is once it starts getting cool/cold around the autumn, the enquiry will pick up. There is a small amount of enquiry for Hay with water-soluble carbohydrates WSC under 19. These are specialist orders and not talking any huge numbers. A few have lowered prices to try and get sales moving.

Jim Oehms - Northern Country, Vic based

Jim said - I have been away for a few weeks, so I am a bit out of the loop on what has been going on with the Hay job, but I will say since returning to work, I have had a few calls about their Lucerne and Oaten Hay just baled and want to list their stuff. These will also have feed tests as pretty imperative to have them these days. There are some good queries on a variety of different Hay/Straw, and if there are good tests, they are moving pretty much straight away, as the weather is starting to make a difference with feed. 

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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