On The Land
10 October, 2026
Production shortage for hay
A PROLONGED wet season earlier this year has resulted in major difficulties for the current hay production season with demand outstripping supply and a subsequent shortfall leading into the drier months of the year.
“Our local hay producers grow mostly Rhodes Grass hay which is a highly sought-after dual purpose horse and cattle fodder,” TGT Rural Business Development Manager Brian Rowling said.
He said this grass type took longer to produce its best biomass in winter, as it slowed down in growth over the “shorter day” months, resulting in fewer bales compared to spring and summer periods.
“An extended wet season earlier this year left paddocks waterlogged and farmers unable to produce good quality hay to meet timely demand,” Mr Rowling said.
“As a result, the past few months have been tough for our hay growers and suppliers to pass on quality hay.”
The overcast weather and extended periods of light showers had really taken its toll in the Mareeba, Mutchilba and Dimbulah irrigation area, with Mutchilba and Dimbulah also experiencing a lot of cool 6-10 degree, even some sub 5-degree, mornings during the winter months.
“Most resellers in the area sell small square bales and round bales, but there is current pressure on hay farms to supply cattle station clients who much prefer large rectangular bales that are way more efficient both for the farmer and the station beef producers to handle,” Mr Rowling said.
“These bales save a lot of time and on farm labour and are more cost effective to transport than round bales.”
He said more cattle producers were using tropical annual legume hay and temperate type pasture hay such as forage oats and some annual tropical legume.
“Once again, the supply is limited with these varieties, however, output is increasing each year,” he said.
“The flip side is that those types of crops are annuals which are higher in protein and feed value to cattle, but the growers need to replant these varieties each year.”
