Jon Paul Driver catches up with National Sales Manager Dave Clothier for a hay market report and an indepth discussion on the current status of the national hay market ahead of new season. While Southern Queensland has seen good early-season hay production, and early harvesting in New South Wales promises high yields, dry conditions in South Australia and Western Victoria are expected to lead to lowered production. With much of the 2022 hay stock now gone, and high fodder demand, this is the idea time to fill the sheds.
- The national stockpile of hay is largely depleted, with existing supplies either committed for domestic use or export. Price stability is expected by late October to early November as the status of the stockpile becomes clearer.
- In southern Queensland, there’s been substantial hay production due to favourable early-season weather. Meanwhile, New South Wales has hay prematurely on the ground, and regions like the Darling Downs are experiencing unusually high yields and early harvests.
- In contrast, South Australia and Western Victoria face reduced yields due to ongoing dry conditions, affecting overall availability.
- With grain prices decreasing and cattle numbers on the rise, fodder demand is leading more farmers to turn to hay production to capitalise on the fodder market.
- Hay is only made for 90 days, but cattle eat 365 days a year, and this is the ideal time to fill sheds with high quality feed in preparation for upcoming demand.
