Supplementary feed options
DECEMBER 2023
Recent rain throughout November certainly has boosted confidence, not only for us on the north coast, but across many key cattle producing regions of NSW. Overall, a reduction in demand for some feed commodities occurred almost straight away. This was largely due to graziers cancelling future loads as follow-up rainfall saw grass begin to show signs of getting ahead of stock in some parts: a logical response from those with improved tropical pastures and returning confidence.
Let’s keep on the positive roll and hope for a continued good season ahead. But remember the stockfeed market will, as always, remain at the mercy of supply and demand. Many feed commodities are now seemingly available due to the rapid drop in demand resulting from recent rain, which is great. Just keep in mind for some products, such as Molasses for example, it will still be some time before both reduced demand and increased supply (the cane crush next year) align, if at all, to potentially result in a significant price correction. However, should the season begin to slip or continue to slip in some parts of the east coast then very rapidly some feed products will return to being hard to get and remain expensive.
There is an old saying: “in times of peace, prepare for war”. This couldn’t be more true of the stock feed market right now. Keep an eye on key commodities you use and seasonal conditions, not just locally but across the state. If a commodity is available, trending down and it’s something you use, consider securing some; or if you can make quality hay or silage and get the chance, do it.
Even though many don’t consider a need for protein meals at this time of year (when the grass is growing), take note that most vegetable protein sources remain in limited supply. What will this mean supply-wise next winter? Time will tell. But consider: canola is being harvested now and will finish in the next month or 2 yet the price of canola meal has continued to rise. Cotton & soybeans are only just being planted. So, for most on the far north coast, the best option currently due to availability and price is Palm Kernel Meal. It’s available in bulk loads or through some retailers in bulk bags. Bulk loads are far more cost effective, but bulk bags are working out very competitive versus other protein and energy supplement options for those who can’t handle a full semi or B-double load. There is big variability in cost between suppliers of bulk bags of Palm Kernel Meal so shop around.
Molasses + Urea based protein supplements were beginning to have supply issues due to low molasses availability and high demand for these products while it was remaining dry. Since the rain there has been less demand from graziers meaning that for now, availability is ok, all be it limited.
New season hay, be it Cereal, Vetch, Canola or Lucerne, is beginning to flow into the market thanks to good seasonal conditions in southern NSW and Victoria, which is pleasing to see. Even though hay production has been stop-start over November due to wet weather, quality of these products is generally much better than last year. Local tropical grass hay simply needs time to grow and a weather window to allow hay making, so, for now, it’s still limited but expect it to improve.
Freight remains the most significant factor that is contributing to the cost of product landed to our region and there are some delays in supply of hay as many freight companies send trucks to cart grain as priority.
Cereal grains have all pretty much remained steady over the last month as harvest wraps up in the north of the state and harvesters get right into the southern crops which over all were looking good. The ‘big’ rain event in southern NSW/VIC during the last week of November may have impacted some grain crops which could see some downgraded to feed quality, or perhaps turned to hay in some cases.
This list is intended only as a guide and is not exhaustive. Variation in pricing is likely and can depend on many factors, in particular quality and freight distance, so be sure to contact your preferred feed supplier to determine actual price and availability relative to your circumstances.
Commodity | Availability | Price Range (ex GST) | Comments on Change from last update | General Comments Please read as comments for some products relate to freight impact on pricing |
Cotton Seed Meal | Very Limited to none Small quantities around in 20kg/bags | 20kg bags $1220/t | No change | Demand is presently greater than supply for bulk, most consumed by large volume users such as feed mills/ feedlots etc Not likely to change short term for the remainder of 2023. In 20kg bags its working out too expensive compared to other options for beef cattle. |
Whole White Cotton Seed | Very Limited to none | $600 – 620+/ton | No Change | Really restricted to producers who can handle a bulk load. Price includes freight to Casino. |
Canola Meal | Ok - Limited | $685- $700/ton | +$50/t | Price Includes freight in Bulk to Casino, Bulk Bags dearer. |
Soybean Meal | ok | $930-960/ton | No Change | Price Includes freight in Bulk to Casino, Very expensive for beef cattle, Protein level high often >47%CP. High rumen degradability meaning usually need to feed daily – seek advice. |
Palm Kernel Meal (PKE) | Ok for time being | $500- $550/ton in bulk load $600/T in bulk bags – shop around | No Change | Price Includes Freight in Bulk to Casino Good energy and protein source 11MJ/ME and 15%CP on average. Slightly unpalatable and can require mixing with a small amount of grain. High in oil and fiber. Avoid getting it wet as it can become rancid. Seek advice if you haven’t used this before |
Molasses | Limited | $450/ton in 1 ton module | Less demand reducing pressure on supply for the time being. | Smaller quantities may be available but check pricing. |
Liquid supplements (Molasses + Protein) | Limited | $ 0.68 to 0.85 kg | Less demand reducing pressure on supply for the time being. Molasses is the issue | Various trade names with different mixtures, contact supplier for exact pricing and freight costs. Check individual products 1L often weighs about 1.4kg |
Loose Licks (Protein based) | Limited | $1600/ton 25kg bags | Delays in supply so order ahead | Check urea content and remember that urea supplements are only of benefit if there is adequate fibre present as either paddock feed or provided as hay or silage |
Lick Blocks (Protein Blocks) | Limited | 40kg - $85 100kg -$200 | Less demand reducing pressure on supply for the time being. | Smaller blocks more expensive per kg. |
Feed Lot meal/pellets | Good | $620 to 680+/ton | No Change | Price is Bulk load minimum 2T. Higher in smaller quantities. Various rations around. Contact supplier. |
Whole Barley | ok | $470-$485/ton | No Change | Price includes freight in Bulk load to Lismore/Casino. Freight distance will impact price. |
Sorghum | Hard to get | $465/ton | No Change | Price includes freight in Bulk load to Lismore/Casino. Freight distance will impact price. Most sorghum is at this stage going to export. |
Wheat | ok | $485- $495/ton | No Change | Price includes freight in Bulk load to Lismore/Casino. Freight distance will impact price |
Maize | Becoming limited | $495/ton | No Change | Price includes freight in Bulk load to Lismore/Casino. Freight distance will impact price. |
Cereal Hay | ok | $540-600/ton | No Change | Price includes freight via B-double to Casino/Lismore. Good quality is hard to find. Request feed test. |
Canola Hay | ok | $600/ton (600kg 8x4x3 bale = $355) | No Change | Price Includes Freight to Casino/Grafton. Quality is variable but average quality 8-9ME/kg DM, 12-17%CP & NDF 40-50% Introduce gradually and consider testing for nitrate levels. Seek Advice if you haven’t used this before |
Vetch Hay | ok | $570-620/ton | -$30/t | Price Includes Freight via B-double to Casino/Lismore. Freight distance to the north coast adds to price variability.
Example of good quality 11ME/kg DM, 24%CP & NDF 40%
Example of poor quality 4ME/kg DM, 16%CP & NDF 62% |
Lucerne Hay | ok | $570-620/ton | -$20/t | Price Includes Freight via B-double to Casino/Lismore. Freight distance to the north coast adds to price variability. |
Cereal Straw “Stubble” | ok | $130 – $200+/ton | -$20 | Plus, freight costs to the north coast which adds to price variability. This is only a fibre source it will require additional energy and protein supplements thus adding to feed costs |
Sorghum Hay | Very Limited | $295 – 320/ton | No Change | Plus, freight costs to the north coast which adds to price variability. Quality is the big variable factor. Ensure it isn’t sorghum stubble being offered. |
Tropical Pasture grass Hay | Limited | $70- 150+/ 4x4 bale | Hasn’t been enough time to replenish local supplies yet, also wet weather making it tricky to bale. | Quality is the big variable factor; The cheaper it is chances are the quality will be lower therefore may need additional supplements |
Silage various options | Good | $100-250+/ 4x4 bale | No Change Huge range in price being seen, mixture of silage worthy crops and failed crops | Quality is the point to consider and don’t forget the dry matter issue, 4x4 round bales typically 45% dry matter which means 55% is water so a 500kg silage bale only has 225kg of feed in it, so calculate how much feed you’re buying. |
Rice Hay / Straw | Limited | $158-180/ 8x4x3 large square $70-90/ 4x4 round bale | No change | Quality is the big variable factor. Some contains grain as it failed to warrant harvest, other is just straw after grain harvest Range being seen this season 6 – 8ME/kg DM, 4-10%CP, NDF 55-70% The cheaper it is chances are the quality will be lower therefore may need additional supplements |
Sugar Cane tops (Hay) | ok | $60-90 / 4X4 bale | No change | Quality is the big variable factor; it is a fibre source and will require additional supplements for production. Range being seen this season 6-8ME/kg DM, 4 – 7%CP, NDF68%+ |