Intermittent rain leads to difficult hay decisions

Newly-appointed Australian Fodder Industry Association chair and Mallala hay producer Brad Griffiths said yields were unlikely to meet early-season expectations due to a dry winter, while recent rains would have an impact on both quality and demand.

"Earlier in the year, our crops had five tonnes a hectare to 6t/ha written all over them, but I think 4t-5t/ha is more likely now," he said.

"Demand for fodder is pretty quiet currently. There's not much going on domestically, the job has pulled right back with the rain in the east and the lack of stock numbers.

"The export market will still be reasonably strong if we can get some in a bale with all this rain around."

Mr Griffiths said there was a lot of hay down in their region and they were about 90 per cent through their cut.

Early-baled hay has achieved good feed tests and a nice colour, but Mr Griffiths said a lot of what had not been baled had between 15 millimetres and 25mm of rain fall on it.

"We're going to play it by ear and see what this rain does before cutting the rest," he said. "Some of the producers in later cutting areas are sitting back and waiting.

"We did the same two weeks ago in the marginal areas and in the end we just had to cut it. We were about a week late cutting on some paddocks because were were trying to squeeze into a window that we didn't end up getting.

"If we can get the what's left in a bale before any more rain, the quality will be good."

The Griffiths are predominantly export growers, with about 20pc of their business stemming from domestic sales of vetch, oaten hay and wheat.

According to AFIA's latest Hay Report, domestic demand is quiet in both central SA and the South East. There has been growing SE inquiry for new-season hay, with buyers wanting to take advantage of a forecast price drop.

Domestic price reports for central SA have cereal hay selling for $200-$250/t, lucerne hay at $400-$480/t and straw at $90-$140/t. In the SE, reports have cereal hay making $220-$250/t, lucerne hay at $330-$350/t, straw at $100-$120/t and pasture hay selling for $180-$200/t.

HARTLEY hay producers Greg and Tracey Harvey are keeping a close watch on weather forecasts as they wait for an extended clear run to start cutting.

Located between Callington and Strathalbyn on the Bremer River, Mr Harvey said some of their oat crops were ready to cut and wheat wasn't far off. He said recent rains would be an advantage for those that hadn't cut, finishing off crops well.

"We normally cut around that milky stage with the oats," Mr Harvey said.

"The wheat is getting close, but it looks like we might be a cutting a lot down at the same time towards the end of this week.

"The weather's not really going to break until then."

The Harveys produce oaten and beardless wheaten hay for the domestic market, predominately targeting horse owners, with some also servicing sheep, cattle and alpaca owners.

"The majority of what we do is small squares, but we have started doing round bales as well over the last few years," Mr Harvey said.

"Depending on the year, we have a certain number of small squares that we do and anything above that goes into rounds."

With a steady client base, demand is not an issue for the Harveys, though they expect prices to be down this year compared with previous years.

"The price is going to be down, more so in your rounds, large squares and medium squares," Mr Harvey said.

"Back in May you could sell a round bale for $100, whereas now you're scratching to get $60-$70 for it.

"In the small square market we'll come down $1-$2 a bale compared to last year."

Mr Harvey said they were pleased with crop growth and height achieved, despite a dry August and early September.

"If we can get it in the shed without it getting wet - even if there's only a little bit of rain - the quality should be quite good, but it all comes down to the rain."

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