Cereal and canola hay might be cheaper but comes with a warning

Frosted cereal and canola crops are being made into hay but livestock producers are being warned to be careful what they buy.

Livestock producers looking to buy cereal hay made from frosted crops are being warned to check withholding periods for chemicals used on the crop.

And the quick pivot from a crop destined for grain to then become hay could mean some fungicides and insecticides used may still be within withholding periods, Australian Fodder Industry Association chairman Louis Kelly said.

Grain crops that have been frost damaged are being made into hay. Picture: Zoe Phillips

“Croppers need to be mindful that what they grew as a grain crop is now a hay crop so it’s changed the end point,” Mr Kelly said.

“They could have sprayed a fungicide or an insecticide when they thought they were going to be harvesting the crop for grain and that can change overnight with a frost.”

Mr Kelly, who runs a fodder operation at Jerilderie in southern NSW, said those buying cereal hay need to ask questions about chemicals used and withholding periods.

“Those buyers are wanting to get the most amount of fodder for the lowest price but it could be a serious problem if those buyers are then using that hay that’s still within withholding periods for chemicals,” he said.

In its latest hay report, AFIA said grain farmers in central and southern NSW and northern Victoria, were cutting cereal crops and canola for hay.

“The first of the early season’s cereal hay has entered the market with a range of pricing,” the report said.

“Some hay producers without on-farm storage capacity, are offering a lower price with the aim of moving hay off-farm to avoid any weather damage.”

Grain growers making their frost-affected crops into hay are being advised to offer commodity vendor declarations to buyers. Picture: Zoe Phillips

FeedCentral national sales manager David Clothier said livestock producers should ask for a commodity vendor declaration, or CVD, when buying hay.

“I don’t think there is anything malicious in terms of growers selling cereal hay that could be within withholding periods, but it’s important that withholding periods are noted on the CVD and followed by the producers who buy it,” Mr Clothier said.

“My understanding is that as long as the hay is fed out after the withholding period is over, then it should be OK but it would only be if the hay was bought and fed out straight away that there could be an issue.”

Agriculture Victoria dairy extension officer Michele Jolliffe said growers should check chemical labels to make sure any applicable withholding periods had expired.

“Growers should ensure the crop hasn’t been sprayed with a chemical carrying a label warning or prohibitive statement that treated crops are not to be grazed or fed to livestock,” Ms Jolliffe said.

She said growers should record information and “be prepared for requests or declarations about chemical history to prospective buyers”.