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.

total forecast rainfall

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

cereal hay 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

new season cropsnew season crops

 

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.