Seasonal Update
Victoria, which has good growth for this time of the year, has also started to dry out. Despite the drying conditions, demand for the most part remains quiet. We are still seeing demand come from central west NSW, and enquiries have started to pick up in southwest Victoria. The Goulburn Valley is receiving some of this enquiry, but for other regions, all remains quiet.
Figure 1. BOM 8-day rainfall forecast.
Trading and Marketing
As a key feed ingredient for livestock, under the government’s classification of essential services, the movement of hay and straw should be exempt from the COVID-19 travel restrictions and border closures.
It was a dry, sunny week in the Goulburn Valley. Farmers in the region are feeding their stock silage. Many in the area who have sown crops have irrigated these and will be expecting some feed in about three weeks. Demand is steady in the Goulburn Valley. A lot more hay is coming onto the market from verbal contracts that have been cancelled and it is easier to find quality feed.
Prices
Figure 2. Cereal hay prices into the Goulburn / Murray Valley.
Prices noted for this week:
| Change | per t | ||
| Cereal hay | – $20 | $250-330 | Prices eased this week |
| Lucerne hay | – $75 | $450-650 | Prices eased this week |
| Straw | +/- $0 | $90-140 | Prices remain steady this week |
| Pasture hay | – $50 | $250-330 | Prices eased this week |
Pictures of New Season Crops
Hay: Wheaten Hay (JC-2)
Specifications: Crunching Soft, minimal spotting, sweet & fresh aroma, very minimal dust contamination, >1% Rye Grass, JC-2 to JC-1 colour (75-85% Green) and JC-2 to JC-1 stem size (<6-8mm)
Location: Bangarang, VIC 3393
Sources: Bureau of Meteorology, Elders Weather, Dairy Australia, WX Maps, Lachstock Research, Weekly Times, Grain Central, Mecardo Expert Market Analysis & Feed Central, Wingara AG Limited.
By Katie Lindkvist, Wingara AG.