HAY prices have skyrocketed since the start of the year, with figures collated by Dairy Australia showing the extent of the price pain.
Between July and August, hay prices in SA’s central dairy region jumped 112pc, from $165 a tonne to $350/t, and reached a peak of $450/t in mid-September.
In the South East region, prices jumped from $250/t in July to $350/t in August – up 40pc.
Livestock SA and SA Dairyfarmers’ Association chief executive Andrew Curtis believes freight subsidies in Qld and NSW have distorted the market, with most hay heading into northern NSW.
“In some cases it is cheaper for someone north of Dubbo, NSW, to truck hay (from SA growers) than it is for someone at Robertstown,” he said.
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