Australian farmers are being urged to fill their sheds with hay this season as stockpiles run low.
Feed Central will host a webinar on Wednesday, 4 September, bringing together some of Australia’s best hay growers to encourage others to follow in their footsteps this year.
The free Tips for a Profitable Hay Season webinar will begin at 12pm and people can register at zoom.us/webinar/register/5817247412989/WN_luzVYbxtSnuqlR0J-fsaOA
The webinar will be presented by the Feed Central team in partnership with AFIA (Australia Fodder Industry Association), along with five growers, Col Radcliffe – Wimmera and Mallee, Victoria, Harry Divall – Riverina, NSW, Brad Griffiths – South Australia, Nathan Ovington – Central West NSW and Will Huth – Southern Queensland.
General Manager – sales and marketing at Pentarch Agriculture, Victoria, Robert Ford, will also discuss the hay export market.
The webinar will seek to answer two key questions that are front of mind at this time in the season – Is there a market for hay in 2024 and how do I make high-quality hay?
Feed Central’s national sales manager Dave Clothier said stocks were already low and many hay sheds were empty, meaning there would be a pressing need for more hay.
Mr Clothier said the answer to whether to make hay this season was already clear. “There is already a shortage of hay in parts of the country so growing hay this season could offer substantial rewards; there will be a strong market for it now and over the next year because of the current shortages.”
Fifth-generation farmer from near Kerang in northern Victoria, Col Radcliffe, who has won multiple Feed Central National Hay Quality awards, expects high demand for quality hay.
Mr Radcliffe’s family business covers about 3500 hectares, including 600 on irrigation, with about 50 per cent of the farm’s production dedicated to hay with a focus on irrigated lucerne for the chaff industry, along with vetch and oaten hays.
“We started the season with a full profile of moisture and we’ve got great potential but we need rain very soon,” he said. “As the days go by without rain, we’re losing that potential every day.”
Mr Radcliffe will advise listeners during the webinar to act now to cover predicted production shortages.
“From everybody I’ve been talking to, it seems like hay production will be down 30-40 per cent,” he said. “We’ve had a good run of seasons in this area but we know we’re going to cop some adverse conditions.
“I believe there’s going to be more requirement for hay, including for the growing feedlot industry. If you’ve got sheds that don’t have hay in them, I’d fill them. If you can put quality hay in the shed, it’s always saleable.”
The Radcliffe family also produces grain but remains dedicated to hay growing, and has some tips for success.
“It comes down to attention to detail,” Mr Radcliffe said. “Treat it as a hay crop, not just grain growers doing it to fix problems in paddocks. We’re dedicated hay growers and give it the attention it deserves right from the previous harvest.
“And make sure you store it in a shed or have it properly covered.”
The webinar will provide domestic and export market updates, a regional round up of the season from key growers and provide tips for growers on how to produce the best possible hay on their farms.
More details can be found at feedcentral.com.au
