Drought snapshot for Australian fodder
11 Oct 2006
By Duncan Handley
The current drought is causing pain for farmers and contractors across the country. As harvest looms mowers and grazing stock are replacing headers to glean benefit from stressed crops in an Australia-wide drought. State Round up
Readers will be well aware by now of the poor outlook for winter crop production. More than 90 per cent of New South Wales is in drought. Extreme conditions extend north into Queensland and run south into Victoria and South Australia. Western Australia has made some recovery from a poor start, but yield will still be below average. Satisfactory rainfall has fallen in only a few areas such as the north coast of NSW and far north Qld. South-east Queensland is experiencing its worst drought on record. There is very little prospect for hay crops on the Darling Downs with late-sown crops having the potential to produce a small amount of grain, but no hay. The Lockyer is producing cereal hay at around 7 mt/ha and achieving between $250and $300/mt ex farm plus GST. Prices for lucerne sold in small square bales have eased from the highs of $600/mt to $400/mt given some recent rains. Typical prices for hay further south in the border areas are $200/mt for cereal and $300/mt for lucerne.
Hay is very difficult to buy in most of NSW.Canola has been proving a popular souces of silage and hay if cut prior to full podding. Canola hay has been sold at $220/mt. Many Riverina contractors are without baling jobs this year as pastures and failed grain crops do not have sufficient bulk to justify baling. Some patches are producing cereal hay and are selling at $180/mt ex farm. Conditions across South Australia and Victoria have slipped dramatically late in the season with all crops being baled much earlier than normal. There is still potential for pasture production in southern Victoria with rain, but crops north of the Divide will not benefit. Most traded hay has been cereal hay at prices between $180 and $200/mt. Lucerne prices are still evolving but with water prices over $300/ML lucerne are likely to exceed $300/mt ex farm. The north of Tasmania has experienced its driest August for 100 years and conditions have not improved greatly. Cereals are being sown earlier than normal without boggy paddocks. In WA mid season rainfall freshened crops and improved the outlook. Hay paddocks will be baled this year but yields will be lower than normal and supply for export will be challenging. Drought implications
Drought years force changes in farming practises. This drought will see hay transported further than usual and alternative fodder sources consumed. Transporting hay greater distance raises many issues. Many members report they are receiving fines for infringements of load restraint and dimension regulations. Due to the differences of state regulations and their interpretation hay carriers are often frustrated when moving between states. If carrying hay in NSW, contact the AFIA for copies of the RIRDC Transport reports which are a must to assist with compliance of RTA regulations. AFIA is committed to the nation reform of hay and straw transport. This is the objective of an industry-funded project with outcomes set for early next year. Failed canola crops are providing a new source of work for fodder contractors and new supplies of hay and silage. Quality is dependent on cutting the failed crops at late flowering and early podding before the protein and energy levels fall dramatically. If these crops are cut early enough, canola can provide protein levels up to 18 per cent and energy as high as 10 ME. It is hoped that in the future, growers will be encouraged to store more fodder as hay, silage or alkalage. As well as storage, future consideration needs to be given to silage production. Silage production has increased in the last five years and this trend needs to be encouraged. Programs such as TopFodder provide a great extension tool for producers and contractors and need to continue. Future feed needs need to be more assured. Fodder production needs to be encouraged through programs targeting fodder production.
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