RAIN has further complicated hay production and cut the chance of large volumes of high-quality hay being available next year.
Last Friday and Saturday rain fell in most areas of southeastern Australia, including part of the northern Mallee.
Hopetoun received up to 15mm while Warracknabeal, Horsham and Charlton had 10mm.
Other areas around Boort received only 2mm and have around a third of their oaten hay and vetch hay stacked in sheds.
With rain not expected until this weekend, producers remain optimistic they can bale much of their remaining hay this week.
This outlook is much better than the conditions facing hay producers in Western Australia.
Some hay growers between New Norcia and Wongan Hills in WA have had hay in windrows since September 8, having been hit by rain.
Without a substantial domestic market or an export market for lower-quality hay, the hay-making season in WA is reportedly one of the worst in history.
Accordingly, hay exporters in the eastern states are particularly keen to ship the best-quality hay they can.
In Victoria, growers are achieving export based prices as high as $160 a tonne delivered to export plants with the possibility of further payments next year.
In an effort to meet demand, cereal hay that is free of weather damage but more mature than normally accepted will be considered for some export markets.
It takes some courage to produce a product at a time of little demand.
This is the case for many hay producers dedicated to the domestic markets.
Consistent rain and carryover stocks of fodder are keeping livestock producers from the need to buy hay.
However, a few astute dairy farmers are buying vetch hay from the paddock prior to stacking, saving the double handling costs of the producer.
Some vetch hay has been baled prior to the rain of the past week and is moving on to farms between Finley and Berrigan at $200/tonne delivered.
Vetch producers in the Wimmera have also managed to bale some high-quality product.
Given the poor marketing season of last year, some vetch producers are asking for rapid payment including cash on delivery.
Further south of the Western Highway, lucerne growers are ensiling their first cut for this season.
Yields have been disappointing with some paddocks cutting only half their average.
Poor rainfall during August and September is the key reason for these lower yields.
