Hay Report

National Summary

National background comments: report for the week ending 21 January 2022.

The next update will be on Friday 4 February 2022. Direct links to reports on each dairy region immediately follow this national summary for hay. 

Driving Prices Up

• Drier conditions in some southern regions are driving demand as farmers look to purchase winter feed.
• Quality hay is expected to be in short supply in the coming months.
• Cost of production remains a focus for the season to come.

Driving Prices Down

• Hay quality is being affected by the wet conditions.
• Rainfall across much of the eastern seaboard means there is a lot of grass in the paddocks which is slowing trade significantly.
  There is not much demand for feed for feedlot or export cattle being reported.
• According to the Bureau of Meteorology, La Niña continues in the tropical Pacific, but modelling suggests the 2021–22 La Niña is near or at its peak, with a return to neutral El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) likely early in the southern hemisphere autumn. La Niña has delivered above average rainfall across much of northern and eastern Australia this summer.

Local News

• Fodder trade continues to be limited.
• In Queensland, Fall Armyworm monitoring and spraying is well-underway. Summer crops are progressing well in the Darling Downs.
• Continued wet conditions throughout New South Wales have supported pasture growth but hay production is challenging.
• The lack of rain in southwest Victoria, and some parts of South Australia and Tasmania are driving some early enquiries from those looking to secure feed allotments for winter.
• Southwest Western Australia is experiencing very hot weather conditions this week.
• $50k grants for November flood-affected farmers in New South Wales and Queensland are now available to salvage damaged crops and stock, rebuild fences and replace machinery. The grants are jointly-funded by state and federal governments for those in local government areas which were disaster-declared after the severe flooding.
• According to the Bureau of Meteorology weekly rainfall update, rainfall totals of 10 mm to 50 mm were recorded in northern and southern Queensland, most of New South Wales, eastern and southern parts of Victoria, and a small area of north-west Tasmania.
• Buyers are encouraged to feed test and view fodder before purchasing to be sure of the quality of the feed.

Buyers are encouraged to feed test and view fodder before purchasing to ensure of the quality of the feed.

Price change in table below reflects moves since previous report (14 January 2022)

All Location Hay Prices

About the Hay Report

Why the hay report is created

Farmers, government, industry advocacy and businesses across the supply chain require independently produced, unbiased data on the industry to inform strategic decisions and policy formation.

Hay reports provide an independent industry view, bringing together key data and insights across the supply chain and industry without any vested interest.

The hay report is created using data provided by the Australian Fodder Industry Association (AFIA).

Interpreting the reports

Hay prices are based on shedded hay without weather damage, of good quality and colour. There is a wide variation in quality for hay, so prices are indicative for a mid-range product.

Prices are estimates based on delivery to dairy farms with allowance for freight, storage, and marketing costs, but exclusive of GST. Actual prices may vary for quality or other reasons.

In this video, dairy farm manager Brian Corr explains how Dairy Australia's hay and grain email updates help him make more informed decisions on-farm.