Hay Report - The ongoing cycle continues

For the fortnight up to the 10th of April 2024.

By Dwain Duxson

There are good areas that have had rain, and other areas are struggling somewhat. We can attribute that to States, with SA, WA and Tassie being generally dry, and all the other States and Territories have areas that are looking or starting to look good from a feed perspective.

Those that are dry or in transition are where the demand for Hay is.

So, the ongoing cycle continues with the domestic Hay market. By that, I mean it gets dry, and demand lifts, it rains, the grass grows, and demand drops off. That's how the domestic Hay cycle works.

The last month to six weeks has seen quite a lift in demand. It started out with spot loads only, and that has since grown into larger tonnages of up to 200 tonnes and, in some cases, more. Feedlots in NSW and Vic is where the volume buying action is, and it's still at the spot load level for the Dairy guys.

Feeding Livestock when Livestock prices are below where they should be isn't much fun, and it's what some are experiencing right now. Although demand is quite good, if Livestock prices were better, demand would be higher again.

Winter is the next cab off the rank, and we would like to think there will be some demand when it gets colder. Whether that happens, we will have to wait and see.

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

Prices haven't changed much at all since a fortnight ago, so what you see below is the same as what I wrote back then. 

Good Vetch Hay has come back a little and is selling for around $280 a tonne.

Straw is being traded for around $70 a tonne or less if people want to clear Stock.

Lucerne Hay has come back a little and is selling at around $350 a tonne.

We have sold some good Cereal Hay parcels recently for around $225 a tonne.

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 the interest continue to grow, with good quality Hay becoming slightly tougher to find. Plenty of people are commenting that they are seeing more Trucks on the road. I am also seeing Freight costs determining how far people are looking to cart Hay; we have also had a few fill their Sheds with Winter supply before the quality Hay dries up. 

Shane Ruyg - Qld based

Shane said - A busy fortnight on the Hay front with lots of enquiry and sales happening. Conditions have cooled and some areas are still dry and with this has seen a increased in demand. We have sold some large parcels that are going into Feedlots in VIC and NSW and also spot loads going into the Dairies, etc, down South.

Mike Pickard - On the road

Mike said - Inquiry for Hay is definitely on the rise. The weather is starting to turn cold, as most are aware, there has been good soaking rain across Queensland and New South Wales, and some parts of Victoria. Some Dairies are locking up Vetch Hay supply for the Winter months. And spot loads of cheaper Hay going as roughage into Feed Mixers

Jim Oehms - Northern Country, Vic based

Jim said - There has been a lot of Hay moving over the last month, but it has certainly ramped up over the last week also. All varieties are sought after, and people are looking at good quality with feed tests. The drier weather down South is the main factor. 

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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