Hay Report - Phone just starting to ring for Vetch Hay

For the fortnight up to the 27th of September 2023.

By Dwain Duxson

Conditions-wise, it's been almost the perfect start to the new Hay Season. No rain, some sunny curing conditions, and easy going with no bogging. A contrast to seasons gone by.

There is some Hay in the Bale, and plenty will go into the Bale over the next week.

Farmers who have earmarked paddocks for Grain production will be monitoring Crops on a daily basis for any sign of Frost damage. And with the current warm weather, many will be making decisions on whether Crops will make it to Grain or need to be cut.

It's been a long time since we have had volumes of decent-quality Vetch Hay. This year is the year as we think there will be plenty around.

The $64,000 question will be centred around the demand. Are Livestock producers going to spend money on Hay to put weight on Stock, or are they just going to maintenance Feed? We think it will entirely depend on the individual. Some will see the benefit of Feeding, and others won't. The unknown is how many will and will it mean decent sales opportunities for sellers. But remember that there have been record Livestock prices since March 2020, and some would have stacked away some coin in that time. Also, there are plenty of breeders who have spent good money on Genetics over the years, and do you think they are going to treat those Stock like traders? They will want to Feed.

The phone is just starting to ring for Vetch Hay. We'll know more in the next fortnight as to where demand is at.

It's been interesting to observe where Vetch Hay prices have started. Some opening prices have been anything from $350 down to $250 a tonne ex-paddock. I did a trip back from Cohuna (Vic) to Bendigo on Sunday, and there was a lot of Vetch down and plenty more to go in that Mitiamo area. 

There is forecasted rain for Southern WA, SA, Tassie, Vic and parts of the Riverina from Tuesday next week. If they can, many will see what rain comes and make decisions on Cereal Crops on the back of what eventuates. Where Grain prices end up is anyone's guess, but you would be thinking they should be strong enough, so taking them through to Grain would be the preferred choice.

What we are noticing this year is more are trying to shorten the curing window by using tools such as Tedder Rakes, Hayguard, and other techniques. I wrote about it earlier in the week. Read it here.

On the Export front, Gilmac's minimum prices announced this week for Hay that tests with their 10-grade system will be from $250 to $340 a tonne delivered to plants in SA and Victoria, according to the Weekly Times.

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

For Vetch Hay, we will focus on the new season. We are seeing Vetch Hay making over $350 a tonne out of the paddock. 

All the prices below are still old season.

Good quality Lucerne Hay is selling for between $350 and $400 a tonne. 

Clover and Clover Hay mixes made up to $240 a tonne.

Pasture Hay is selling for around $130 to $150 a tonne.

Some Straw made up to $110 a tonne.

Good Cereal Hay is making anywhere between $135 to $205 a tonne.

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

Paul Grayling - Mallee, Vic based

Paul said - Paul is away on leave.

Shane Ruyg - Qld based

Shane said - A good start to the new Hay season with dry conditions making curing a lot more stress-free. We have seen more Vetch Hay going into a bale over the past week, but we are yet to see any feed tests. Going by the pictures, it is a lot greener and better quality than previous years. Prices range between $250-$350 depending on where you are and what state. Warm conditions are coming again, with a chance of rain mid-week next week. Many are hanging out for this as it will decide where a lot of Crops will go and whether they take it through to Grain or cut for Hay. Some say there is enough moisture in the ground, and others say there are not so interesting times ahead..

Mike Pickard - On the road

Mike said - Just did a road trip through the Yorke Peninsula of South Australia. I see Crops cut for Baling in the South. Up to the North of the York Peninsula, there are Bales in the paddocks ready to be picked up or put in the shed. We have Vetch Hay being Baled in the Riverina, and reports are that it looks quite good. Also, I heard there are some frosted Crops about, and they will inevitably end up in a Bale. Talking to a few in Queensland, there are patches of good Crop which will go to harvest, but there are areas where the Crop has been cut for Hay, and the Bales are few and far between.

Jim Oehms - Northern Country, Vic based

Jim said - Hay has been definitely on the move and most heading up North. With the Hay season starting now and over the next few weeks, I think we will find more Hay that the farmers want out of their sheds from last season to fit the new season Hay in. Therefore, we may get some reduced prices due to demand. There are a few that I have been speaking to asking about pricing on what they are cutting now on various varieties. I would say that a Feed test would be most beneficial if listing your current or even last season's Hay. 

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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