Australia: Hay market looks for lead for high-quality crop

The hay market remains quiet as Australia enters the early autumn period, with domestic buyers trying to get a handle on their potential requirements through to the middle of the year. With export sales largely already organised, fodder consultant Colin Peace, JumbukAG, said earlier in the month the focus was turning towards the domestic market. "The export sector is quietening off, most of what is going to be done has been done by now," Mr Peace said. "The focus now moves towards the domestic market, but there is a bit of a slowdown there as people look to assess what is going to happen from here." "There was obviously some pretty good feed grown in the south over summer, but it has been warm and dry through February so there is still the potential for an autumn feed drought to emerge." "At present the market is waiting to see how strong that autumn demand is going to be." Fodder consumers will have their pick of high quality product this season, with feed sales platform Feed ...