Gippsland

Grain commentary

Hay commentary

Gippsland is enjoying a text book start to the season with good early pasture growth and germination of newly sown pastures.
Some dairies have stopped feeding silage altogether, though some with extensive sowing programs are still feeding to alleviate the pressure on pastures that can be grazed.
Local irrigated millet and lucerne crops are being harvested for silage. Conditions appear to have been ideal for millet crops this year with some excellent crops being harvested around the Maffra region.
Hills around West Gippsland are in excellent condition with prolific pasture growth and large quantities of clover in the mix. On the flats conditions are still quite soggy and susceptible to pugging.
There is some increased activity in the market with lucerne moving to those who have exhausted their silage stocks.
Autumn calvers are also keen buyers of oaten hay, however are having to buy rolls with a higher freight cost as cereal hay in big squares has been used up by export markets.
Sowing of annual pastures is occurring a few weeks earlier this year, but generally only occurring on pugged paddocks in need of renovation.
Locals suggest the growth around at this time of year is two months ahead of where it normally would be. About the only form of supplementary feeding is for springing cows to prevent milk fever.
There are large volumes of carry over pasture hay in Gippsland. Given a wet spring those rolls stored outside will have a high degree of wastage.
There appears to be an unwritten reserve of $150/t ex farm for pasture hay. Sellers are happy to wait until demand increases.