Hay Report - The road less travelled suits

For the fortnight up to the 19th of March 2025.

By Dwain Duxson 

The top end of the Hay and Straw market, where all the best quality product sits, has taken a price rise over the last fortnight. For example, (All prices are per tonne and ex GST) Straw topped out at $150 a fortnight ago, and now it's $180. Vetch was $405 tops, and now it's $415. Cereal went from $350 to $380. Lucerne was the big mover, going from $400 to $505. Clover and Rye nudged from $335 to $375. See the Hay price ranges below.

This has dragged the rest of the market up. It's a case of it being a demand-and-supply thing, and according to one Hay industry expert, we have reached the 100th percentile this week. In other words, on average, Hay is pretty much as dear as it's ever been.

But the difference to this high-demand period compared to others is that the parcel sizes buyers are purchasing are a lot smaller. Basically, we are dealing in spot loads, with very few wanting to purchase more than they need.

So, because of that, there is no real panic in the market like we have seen in other boom times gone by. The buyers are calculated and just working through things as they arise.

If the Hay is at the 100th percentile, then Freight prices have kicked well clear of where they once were, and this is where a lot of the pain is. The high-demand areas, including South Australia and Southern Victoria, have received Hay from reasonably close quarters. If they had to pull it out of Central NSW or even higher (which we are starting to see), there would be resistance. So the road less travelled suits.

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 $265 and $415 a tonne.

Cereal Hay ranges from $250 to $380 a tonne.

Lucerne Hay ranges from $250 to $505 a tonne.

Clover & Rye Hay is selling anywhere from $300 to $375 a tonne.

Straw is making anywhere from $90 to $180 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 more Hay and Straw sell. Freight is still a major factor in sales. It seems that a lot of users are hoping for rain to break the continuous feeding of Stock. New parcels are coming onto the market at a fairly steady rate with some Protein parcels attracting a slightly higher sale price as options comparable diminish.

Shane Ruyg - Qld based

Shane said - Another busy fortnight on the Hay job with lots of enquiry and sales again as the weather remains hot and dry with most areas looking for an early break. We are still seeing spot loads moving with not many large quantities, which is most likely to do with the price as most varieties are hitting top dollar due to supply and demand issues. Freight is also an issue, with the majority of Hay being up north and the buyers done south and into SA, with the cost to get it there definitely impacting the hip pocket.

Mike Pickard - On the road

Mike said - It's all about Hay and Grain at the present time. A lot of Farmers are looking for relief feed for their Livestock going into the winter months, but they don't have a lot of capital, so purchasing on a load-by-load basis. It's been a real mix bag with Vetch, Ryegrass Lucerne and Oaten Hay selling. The big query is the cost of transport and how much it's gonna cost to get it to where it needs to be. I heard yesterday from a Trucking company heading into South Australia that there needs to be a declaration as to where the Hay has come from and where it's going.

Jim Oehms - Northern Country, Vic based

Jim said - Hay prices are higher across the board right now. Hay is still moving very well all over the place but not in as big amounts as in previous years, with most getting a few loads to tie them over rather than buying in bulk. Straw is also very much in demand right now as well. Some are holding onto their Hay or only part selling due to uncertainty in the weather. Transport costs are certainly being factored into any purchases as most I talk to want Hay/Straw as close as possible to them. Another thing I will say is that Feed Tests are imperative these days, so if you are looking at selling, it would be of benefit to have one done. And to also inspect Hay if you are looking at buying.

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.

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