Hay Report

National Summary

National background comments: report for the week ending 24 November 2023.

The next update will be on Friday 8 December 2023. Direct links to reports on each dairy region immediately follow this national summary for hay. 

Driving Prices Up

• Continued good rainfall in the drier parts of the country over the last few weeks is boosting confidence in pasture growth, however until that growth happens, pastures remain dry and brown, and fodder continues to be in demand from both producers and feed-lotters.
  
  
• Transport costs and the difficulty in sourcing drivers are continuing to factor into the price of fodder delivered to farms, with shortages adding a premium to per kilometre charges.
  
  
• Exporters are reportedly finding it difficult to fill shipments and are continuing to source cereal hay throughout the country and are looking for good parcels for which they are willing to pay premium prices to meet demand from newly reopened markets.

Driving Prices Down

• Green feed availability continues to keep demand tempered in parts of the southern states.
  
  
• The continuing reduction in the size of the beef herd and sheep flocks is applying downward pressure on prices as demand wanes in local areas, though this is being somewhat countered by increased requests from feedlots.
  
  
• Some older, lower quality pasture hay is being cleared out from sheds in the southern states as producers look to move the product on while demand remains from Queensland and NSW, or to clear space in sheds in the areas that have produced good new season hay.
  
  
• Silage and hay production in most of Victoria and parts of Southern NSW are filling local needs quite well, with much fodder only moving locally, which reduces transport costs.

Local News

• Exporters are continuing to look for export quality oaten hay from across the country, as the hay season moves through the regions, with plenty of trucks moving through the southern states to port.
  
  
• While rain has fallen across much of Queensland and northern NSW, the south coast of NSW remains a hay demand hotspot as the dry conditions and very low pasture growth drive demand. A similar situation is being seen in the southeast of South Australia, though local supply is continuing to meet most demand.
  
  
• The current El Niño and positive Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD) events remain underway. The positive IOD is expected to weaken by December, however the El Niño is expected to persist until at least the end of February. This remains the key driver behind the Bureau of Meteorology's long-range rainfall and temperature forecasts, which continue to predict warmer and drier conditions for much of Australia over the next three months.

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 17 November 2023)

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.