New fodder inventory launched

Livestock producers will be able to cut out some of the freight costs associated in sourcing fodder after the launch of a new online buying and selling platform.

Deteriorating seasonal conditions in some of Australia’s key livestock-producing regions have prompted a national fodder inventory.

South Australia and Victoria’s western districts are heading into winter with negligible rain and concerns about feed supplies on hand.

Those in the fodder industry fear that stocks are running low, and with prices of $25 a tonne for every $100km, suppliers and buyers need an inventory of what is there.

The new listing, which already has hay and fodder advertised in various locations, can be found on the Australian Fodder Industry Association website.

Buyers and sellers can use the resources section and look for hay supply listing and while in its infancy the listing has fodder availability from Wellington NSW, to Toowoomba, Queensland and Echuca, Victoria.

Hay supplier and AFIA chairman Louis Kelly from Jerilderie in the NSW Riverina said there were concerns that feed might be in lower supply than many believe.

He said the list of hay for sale now on the AFIA website offered buyers and sellers an opportunity to find fodder closer to them.

Mr Kelly said that sourcing good quality hay at a reasonable price and reducing freight costs was the aim.

“We are now at a point where people can pay more in freight costs than the actual cost of the fodder, and there might be supplies closer to them in distance,” he said.

Mr Kelly said that, based on his research and conversations with people in the industry, hay stocks simply weren’t in the sheds. He said there had been two quieter years of hay-making.

According to the latest AFIA hay report cereal hay in the Goulburn Murray Valley is selling for $320 to $370 a tonne and lucerne is making $370 a tonne to $425 a tonne.

In the southwest of Victoria, around Hamilton and Casterton, prices for cereal hay range from $330 a tonne to $390 a tonne, and pasture hay has increased in value from $245 a tonne to $290 a tonne.

Victorian Farmers Federation livestock president Scott Young. Picture: Zoe Phillips

Victorian Farmers Federation livestock president Scott Young said the dry conditions in parts of Victoria put pressure on fodder stocks.

“Farmers are finding it challenging to source local fodder,” he said.

Mr Young said the list of fodder for sale being offered on the AFIA website would help farmers manage logistics and see what is available.

“It’s a one-stop web page that will help producers struggling to find fodder,” he said.

Mr Young said that, like others in the industry, he had questioned whether there was enough fodder on hand.

“It is challenging because flocks are in the middle of lambing, and you can’t sell off livestock during lambing,” he said.

With the cold and dry conditions, he said it took at least a month and a half before any growth of pastures was evident.

AFIA chief executive officer Paula Fitzgerald. Picture: Zoe Phillips

AFIA chief executive officer Paula Fitzgerald said producers in South Australia and southwest Victoria had experienced a dry autumn and winter.

She said livestock producers were encouraged to secure fodder now, rather than leaving it until later.

Mrs Fitzgerald said fodder stocks, availability, and location were needed information for drought preparedness.

The list of fodder sales can be found at https://afia.org.au/hay-supply-listing/