Hay Report - Hang in there Hay sellers

For the fortnight up to the 14th of March 2024.

By Dwain Duxson

We haven't done a Hay Report for a month now because we have had a few other things on. Now that we are back in routine, we will have them through every fortnight.

I looked at my Mobble online rain gauge, and basically, we haven't had any rain for over a month. I live in Central Victoria, and we would be considered in a higher rainfall zone. For many in the last month or so, the rain has cut off.

Up until a month or so ago, there was some green feed around. But that has changed, and I noticed the Grain Feed Carts are out, and people are back feeding out Hay again. And although that hasn't turned into immediate Hay sales, we have seen inquiry lift in the last couple of weeks, and it won't be too long before we see a few buyers dip their toes in the water. During periods like this, we only ever see Farmer to Farmer buying activity in spot loads only. Buyers are reluctant to go too hard into the buying caper when they might not need to.

For the guys in the South, we are getting into that Autumn Break period, and if things drag on, Hay will be needed to get Livestock through. There are pastoral areas looking magnificent right now and many of them will have grass to spare for Livestock for the foreseeable future. 

The Elephant in the room is Livestock prices. We have seen a retreat in Sheep and Lamb prices of late, which has been frustrating for sellers as the market was on an upwards trajectory before that. Take a look at this article by respected Livestock commentator Chris Howie, to see where the markets are at as far as Cattle and Sheep are concerned.

Areas of WA have had some rain, which has been a relief from the brutally hot and dry Summer they have been experiencing.

Although there is not a huge sample size, prices feel like they have come off a little from a month ago.

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

A1 Vetch Hay is still making Close to $300 a tonne, but there has been some slight discounting to get some stock moving.

Straw is being traded for around $70 a tonne.

Lucerne Hay is trading around that $380 a tonne.

Pasture Hay is selling in and around $200 a tonne 

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

Paul Grayling - Mallee, Vic based

Paul said - I have seen a lift in the inquiries on all lines of Hay, with quality, price and distance seeming to be the things that are discussed and mulled over the most. We have quite a few options from most areas, but I believe going forward, as the job heats up, we will see more listings coming on the market. A lot of Growers have been asking questions about what is happening and how things will look moving forward regarding demand. 

Shane Ruyg - Qld based

Shane said - The Hay job is still slower than usual, but we are seeing some enquiries and sales happening currently, with Vetch Hay being the variety of choice. With all the warm weather lately, the word is it's getting dry again, and with this, I think you will see the demand lift, possibly over the next couple of months.

Mike Pickard - On the road

Mike said - In general, Hay sales are pretty quiet, although there is the odd load going, thinking once it starts getting cool/cold, the enquiry will pick up. A couple of spot loads, mainly Lucerne and Vetch, have been sold in the last fortnight just to keep things ticking over, but no large quantities are trading.

Jim Oehms - Northern Country, Vic based

Jim said - In the last couple of weeks, there has been a little bit of Hay movement. Vetch, Wheaten, Pasture and Oaten have been the movers and usually, if at the right price, will go pretty quickly. There has also been a fair bit of a variety of Hay listed in the past week. It is certainly drying out.

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