Damon Mcknight
Australia has been exporting hay for over 30 years, with almost 1.2 million tonnes exported in 2020 alone. The country is internationally recognised for its sustainable and environmentally responsible farming practices, earning it a strong green and clean reputation. Hay is used in most livestock diets, and in Australia, it is produced all over the country, with Western Australia being one of the best growing regions, producing approximately 48% of the exported hay. The most common types of hay produced in Australia include oaten hay, wheaten hay, barley hay, and lucerne hay.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Common types | Oaten hay, Wheaten hay, Vetch hay, Lucerne hay, Barley hay, Straw hay |
| Best growing region | Western Australia |
| Production process | Cutting, Conditioning, Drying, Stacking |
| Used for | Feeding livestock, Fodder |
| Graded on | Quality, Nutritional value |
| Farming practices | Sustainable, Environmentally responsible, Avoiding GMOs and fire-retardant chemicals |
| Export | Over 30 years, 1.2 million tonnes in 2020 |
| Storage | Undercover, Storage sheds, Buildings, Haystacks, Large tight bales |
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What You'll Learn
Hay production in Australia
Hay is a valuable and cheap food for livestock, providing essential nutrients. In Australia, it is used in the diets of breeding and backgrounding cattle, as well as feedlot cattle. It is also exported for use in other countries. Hay is simply grass that has been cut, dried, baled, and stored. The process of making hay relies on good weather, and in Australia, one of the best regions for growing hay is Western Australia, which produces 48% of the country's exported hay. The long, dry, hot summers and modest winter rainfall create a consistent, bacteria-suppressive climate.
The most common types of hay produced in Australia are oaten hay, wheaten hay, vetch hay, lucerne hay, barley hay, and straw hay. Oaten hay is the dominant type exported, with almost 1.2 million tonnes exported in 2020. It is well-regarded by farmers for its fibre content, energy value, and palatability for livestock. It is also preferred for use as fodder for dairy cows. The production process of oaten hay usually involves cutting from October to November, and it is then mechanically cut and conditioned, dried in the field, and stacked with specialised machinery.
The type and quality of hay crop that a farmer produces depends on the season, weather, soil, ground conditions, and machinery used. The hay is usually graded based on quality and nutritional value, according to Australian Fodder Industry Association standards. After the bales have been made, they are carted and stacked undercover for safekeeping. The sooner the hay is baled after being cut, the better. Hay is also milled to aid digestion in animals.
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Hay export from Australia
Australia has been exporting hay for over 30 years, with key export markets including Japan, Korea, China, Taiwan, Vietnam, and the United Arab Emirates. The Australian export fodder industry supplies a wide range of crop and pasture species, including hay and silage of all types (pasture, cereal, lucerne, clover, and others), chaff, vetch, and pelletised feed. Hay is a crucial dietary component for livestock, both in Australia and worldwide, and is used on farms and in feedlots as a roughage fodder.
The process of hay production in Australia involves cutting, conditioning, and drying the crop before stacking and storing it in sheds. The type and quality of hay crop depend on various factors, including the climate, season, weather, soil, and ground conditions, as well as the machinery used. Australia's consistent climate, with long, dry, hot summers and modest winter rainfall, creates an ideal environment for hay production.
Oaten hay is a popular type of hay produced in Australia, particularly in Western Australia, which accounts for approximately 48% of the country's exported hay. It is well-regarded for its fibre content, energy value, and palatability for livestock. Other types of hay produced in Australia include wheaten hay, vetch hay, lucerne hay, and barley hay.
Australian hay exporters offer a year-round supply of product due to the country's geographical diversity. Balco, one of the leading exporters, prioritises quality and safety by implementing moisture controls and Annual Ryegrass Toxicity Testing. Australia's sustainable and environmentally responsible farming practices have earned the country a strong "green and clean" reputation in the international market.
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Types of Australian hay
Australia has been exporting hay for over 30 years, and the industry has grown significantly in that time. In 2020, almost 1.2 million tonnes of hay were exported from Australia, with exports valued at $584 million. Hay is a cheap and valuable food for livestock, and Australian hay is used for both domestic and export markets.
The dominant type of hay exported from Australia is oaten hay, which is also the most common type produced in Western Australia, one of the best hay-growing regions in the country. Oaten hay is well-regarded by farmers for its fibre content, energy value, and palatability for livestock. It is also the preferred type of hay at Princess Royal, due to its nutritional value. Oats have a greater tolerance to waterlogging than other cereals, and cutting oats for hay reduces the risk of Annual Ryegrass Toxicity (ARGT) as ryegrass plants are removed before they become toxic.
Other types of hay produced in Australia include wheaten hay, vetch hay, lucerne hay, and barley hay. Wheaten and barley hay, like oaten hay, are a prime source of digestible fibre and can be fed alone or as part of a mixed ration feed. Lucerne hay is normally cut over a longer period from October to February. It is one of the types of hay that make up the diet of dairy cattle, along with silage, grains, and other forage crops.
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Uses of Australian hay
Australia has been exporting hay for over 30 years, and its agricultural industry is internationally recognised for its sustainable and environmentally responsible farming practices. Australian hay is grown by farmers to fulfil a wide variety of purposes for a range of markets.
One of the most common types of hay produced in Australia is oaten hay, which is well regarded by farmers for its fibre content, energy value, and palatability for livestock. Oaten hay is a prime source of digestible fibre and can be fed alone or as part of a mixed ration feed. It is also complementary to Alfalfa Hay. Other types of hay produced in Australia include wheaten hay, vetch hay, lucerne hay, and barley hay.
Hay is used in most livestock diets, both in Australia and across the globe. It is used on farms and in feedlots as a roughage fodder. At Princess Royal, hay is an essential dietary requirement in both breeding cattle and backgrounding cattle diets, as well as in the rations fed to feedlot cattle. Feeding cattle too much grain that is rich and high in protein can cause an acidosis build-up in the cattle's stomach, as well as many other complications. To prevent this, quality hay is included in up to 10%-30% of their feed rations, depending on their time in the feedlot. To ensure the hay is consumed along with the remainder of the ration, the hay is milled to roughly 2 inches in length so that it tickles the walls of the rumen, aiding digestion.
Australian hay exporters offer a year-round supply of product due to geographical diversity, which means an uninterrupted, consistent supply for customers. Through cultivating long-term relationships with growers across South Australia, Western Australia, and Victoria, exporters have secured access to the highest-quality crops grown in the most ideal conditions.
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Australian hay farming practices
Hay farming is a well-known practice in Australia, with the country having exported hay for over 30 years. The industry is sustained by large-scale professional growers who ensure a high-quality crop each year. Australia's hay is cultivated and produced all over the country, with Western Australia being one of the best growing regions, producing approximately 48% of the exported hay. The main production areas in Western Australia are Moora, York, Narrogin, and Wagin, near Perth.
Australian hay is grown by farmers to fulfil a wide variety of purposes for a range of markets, such as feed for dairy and beef cattle, goats, horses, and sheep. The most common types of hay produced in Australia are oaten hay, wheaten hay, vetch hay, lucerne hay, barley hay, and a variety of straw hay. Oaten hay is generally preferred for use as fodder for dairy cows. Oaten and lucerne hay are well-regarded by farmers for their fibre content, energy value, and palatability for livestock. The quality of the hay is important for the digestion process of ruminants, such as cattle, deer, sheep, and goats, and provides them with the highest amount of nutrients.
The type and quality of hay crop that a farmer can produce depend heavily on the season and climate. The long dry, hot summers and modest winter rainfall across Australia create a consistent, bacteria-suppressive climate. Additionally, the weather, soil and ground conditions, and machinery used also play important roles in hay farming. To optimise growing conditions, crops must be sown at particular times of the year and harvested at their prime. Some farmers, particularly lucerne and cotton farmers, use irrigation rather than relying on rainfall.
After the hay is cut, it is typically mechanically conditioned and dried in the field before being stacked and stored locally in large sheds. Tractors or loaders with hay forks attached are used to pick up and stack the bales, which are then loaded onto trucks and transported to storage sheds. To protect the hay from the weather, many farmers have their hay sheds facing east, as minimal rain comes in from that direction.
Australia is internationally recognised for its sustainable and environmentally responsible hay farming practices. With naturally low nitrate soils and low potassium levels, Australian agriculture prioritises soil health and long-term sustainability. Farmers uphold strict standards by avoiding GMOs and fire-retardant chemicals, ensuring the production of high-quality, safe, and environmentally friendly hay. Additionally, moisture controls and Annual Ryegrass Toxicity Testing are mandated in Australia to ensure safety and maintain quality standards throughout the production and export process.
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Frequently asked questions
Hay is simply grass that has been cut, dried, baled, and stored for feeding to grazing animals.
Australian hay is made from a variety of plants, including oats, barley, and wheat. The dominant hay exported from Australia is oaten hay, which is grown in Western Australia. Other types of hay produced in Australia include wheaten hay, vetch hay, lucerne hay, and barley hay.
Australian hay is used for feeding livestock, such as cattle, sheep, goats, horses, and rabbits. It is also used as fodder for dairy cows. Australia has been exporting hay for over 30 years, with exports valued at $584 million in 2019-2020.
