Ongoing dry conditions have farmers on hunt for feed supplies

South Australia’s dry start to the year is leading to an unprecedented demand for hay, with the state’s stocks virtually running on empty.

Farmer/hay producer Corbin Schuster, 29, with the last of his hay supply in Freeling. Picture: Tricia Watkinson

• Adelaide headed for driest start to the year

South Australia’s dry start to the year is leading to an unprecedented demand for hay, with the state’s stocks virtually running on empty.

With a late break to the season looking increasingly likely, demand is set to increase even further in the coming months.

Lower North hay producer Gavin Schuster, who farms with his son Corbin, says it has been the driest start on record at Freeling, which is usually reliable for rainfall. So far this year, 12mm of rain had fallen, compared with the 90-100mm the farm would usually have received to date.

“The dry start has come off the back of a poor year last year, and that combination has led to a massive shortage of hay,” Mr Schuster said.

He said his business had been receiving inquiries for hay from as far as the Northern Territory, Queensland and NSW.

“We’re entering unprecedented territory at the moment, so many people are looking for supplies,” he said.

Balaklava hay producer Rob Saint said he was having to knock back at least six farmers a day that were on the hunt for fodder for their stock.

“I had 17,000 medium square bales and I’m now down to 1800, but even those are already sold,” he said.

Mr Saint believes there is a real possibility supplies will be depleted by the end of May.

He said farmers were in a tough position, wanting to get on with seeding, but unsure where the season was headed.

“A few blokes have started sowing a bit of feed but for most of the Balaklava district, farmers can’t get started because it’s just too dry,” he said.

The dry South Para Reservoir. Picture: Tricia Watkinson

Australian Fodder Industry Association chief executive John McKew said hay was becoming increasingly scarce nationwide.

“While there’s still pockets of supply here and there, it’s a matter of whether it’s available at a price that producers find palatable,” he said.

“We’re in a very perilous position at the moment, as there’s really no carry-over hay left from 2018 and the drought is continuing unabated.”

Livestock SA chief executive Andrew Curtis said producers were busy feeding stock to get their sheep and cattle through the dry times.

“Realistically, producers are looking at having to feed their stock for another couple of months,” he said.

“Even if we got a good Anzac Day break, which doesn’t look likely, producers would still be looking at another month of feeding.”