We have now hit spring, however hay and silage season continues to be just a few weeks away. That hasn’t, nonetheless, stopped hay markets from falling as sheep and cattle producers are lastly seeing some grass development, and dairy farmers can see gentle on the finish of the tunnel.
As we opined within the final replace on hay, costs have been at all times going to fall from the intense winter highs, they usually doubtless nonetheless have some method to go but. Determine 1 reveals pasture hay costs stayed at their peaks of $600-700/t in South West Victoria for round a month earlier than tanking closely in late August.
South West Victoria pasture hay has declined 25% from its peak, however stays traditionally costly at $440-530/t. Central West NSW pasture hay didn’t get as costly as within the south, reaching a peak of $570-650/t in July, and it hasn’t fallen fairly as far. Central West pasture hay has misplaced 16% from its peak to be within the $470-550/t vary now.
Within the West, hay costs have remained regular at what are report highs for the state. Loads of hay was trucked east on the peak of costs, which can have seen provides tighten sufficient to carry worth within the west.
With animals exiting containment in drought-hit southern zones, straw costs have additionally tanked in latest weeks. In South West Victoria, straw is nearly again to a extra regular fee, below $200/t. Straw provides will quickly be replenished; there is a bit more uncertainty concerning the provide of good-quality hay.
