Hay Matters

In the latest episode of Hay Matters, brought to you by LocalAg and Feed Central, we welcome back a familiar voice. Graham (Thommo) Thomson joins Steve Page live from the 2025 AFIA Conference to reflect on one of the toughest seasons he’s seen in more than five decades. With his hard-earned perspective, Thommo shares how he kept going through record-low rainfall, what he saw on the road north, and why he’s still not ready to retire.

• Thommo shares that this past year brought the lowest rainfall he’s recorded in 52 years of daily measurements on his farm, and how a patch of leased river country helped him scrape through
• He talks about the daily challenge of feeding stock when there’s nothing in the paddock — and how sheep were chasing anything that looked like a bale
• A long drive to the Gold Coast revealed just how bare things are, with empty sheds and only small loads of hay moving south
• Despite the tough conditions, livestock prices stayed strong, giving some much-needed breathing room
• Thommo shares why he keeps showing up to the AFIA Conference, and what’s changed (and stayed the same) in the industry
• He’s not retiring yet — with a capable apprentice at home, he’s keen to learn more about tech and continue mentoring the next generation

And before we go… Jon Paul shares a quick update: he’ll be handing over the hosting reins to Steve and Alex, as he focuses on some exciting new projects with Feed Central. He’ll still pop in from time to time — and he’s looking forward to sharing what’s next.

Podcast Highlights

In this episode of Hay Matters, brought to you by LocalAg and Feed Central, Grower Services Manager Steve Page hits the road to uncover a unique regional story of buried haylage, long-term storage, and unexpected opportunity.

When grain grower Pat Hull purchased a property near Warren in 2022, he wasn’t expecting to find over 1,000 tonnes of buried forage sorghum haylage stored in pits by the previous owner, following the drought-breaking rains of 2020. With no livestock of his own and limited on-farm use, Pat turned to LocalAg to connect with buyers further south, and the response was immediate.

• The haylage was originally cut, baled and buried in 2020 by contractor Ben Wright from Central West Contracting, after strong summer growth
• Bales were stacked four high in excavated pits, wrapped in plastic and sealed with soil for long-term storage and pest protection
• Feed tests returned excellent results for aged haylage: 12.4% CP, 9.25 MJ/kg ME, 51.4% NDF, 35.7% ADF, and 41.7% DM
• Pat listed the product on LocalAg using original baling photos, generating national interest before opening any pits
• With feed shortages in Victoria, the first truckload has already moved to southern dairies, with more to follow
• Hay contractor Ben Wright shares practical insights on why buried haylage works, key moisture thresholds, and how proper handling influences long-term results

Podcast Highlights

In this episode of Hay Matters, brought to you by LocalAg and Feed Central, Jon Paul Driver is joined by National Sales Manager Dave Clothier to unpack current fodder market conditions. With drought in the south driving record demand and pushing prices up fast, Dave explains what’s moving across the country and what’s not — and what buyers and sellers need to know as an early northern season begins to take shape.

• April and May marked one of the busiest trading periods Feed Central has seen in over 20 years, as drought across southern NSW, Victoria and SA pushed up demand
• Many southern growers held onto hay, concerned the dry conditions would extend north, which further tightened supply during a period of rapidly increasing demand
• Rain has restored some confidence but feed shortages are expected to continue for six to eight weeks while pasture growth catches up
• While Western Australia and Northern Territory have good supply, biosecurity restrictions and high freight costs are limiting movement east
• Prices are sitting above $400 ex farm for cereal hay and $600 for lucerne, with freight adding up to $350 per tonne and some landed prices topping $700
• In some cases straw is being transported long distances to fill gaps in southern supply and buyers are feeding at any cost to retain core breeding herds
• Northern Australia is set for an early season with cereal hay cuts expected from mid July while southern crops remain four to six weeks behind
• With the new financial year underway, more growers are releasing hay to the market but windows are narrow and buyers should act quickly
• Price pressure is expected to remain until southern yield prospects become clearer

Podcast Highlights

In this episode of Hay Matters, brought to you by LocalAg and Feed Central, host Jon Paul Driver concludes his three-part series with South Australian farmer Matt Eckert. This final instalment shifts focus to the financial, mechanical, and personal pressures that often sit behind the paddock - and how Matt and his team are navigating them.

From soaring machinery costs and safety scares to family life, team trust, and planning for the future, this conversation reveals the daily challenges that aren't always get discussed, but shape everything on the farm.

• Why machinery costs are blowing out and how that’s reshaping timelines for soil improvement and capital investment
• What efficiency really looks like across an operation, and how mismatched upgrades can create new bottlenecks
• Lessons from scaling up hay production, from baler selection to matching loaders, trucks and shed space
• How past safety incidents have prompted changes in processes and a stronger focus on risk management
• Why trust and teamwork are central to how the farm operates today and how stepping back has helped others step up
• The juggling act of parenting, marriage and leadership and how Matt is learning to keep farm pressures from following him home
• What tough seasons have taught Matt and why backing your people makes all the difference

In this episode of Hay Matters, brought to you by LocalAg and Feed Central, host Jon Paul Driver continues the conversation with South Australian farmer Matt Eckert. In Part 2 of this three-part series, Matt opens up about the people, mindset, and decisions that help keep the wheels turning during hard seasons.

From financial pressure and breakdowns to succession planning and emotional burnout, this episode digs into the less visible side of managing a large farming operation in a drought — and the personal resilience it takes to carry it through.

• How a tight-knit team, family loyalty, and off-farm connections have helped carry the business through some of its hardest seasons
• Why your relationship with the bank needs to be built before things go wrong — and how it pays off when flexibility is needed
• The story behind three trucks, a 53-metre road train, and how hauling hay turned into a lifeline
• Why adaptability beats prediction - and how building practical ability into the business opened unexpected doors
• How a shared focus on quality and ag systems has strengthened a long-standing working relationship with Feed Central and LocalAg
• Why succession planning, clear communication, and staying close as brothers matters more than ever in generational farming
• How back-to-back breakdowns, fires, and a sudden dry season pushed mental resilience to the limit
• Matt’s advice for getting through the hard seasons - and why they sometimes bring the clarity needed to change direction

Podcast Highlights

In this episode of Hay Matters, brought to you by LocalAg and Feed Central, host Jon Paul Driver speaks with South Australian grower Matt Eckert in the first of a three-part series. Matt shares a candid look at the decisions, trade-offs, and resilience required to keep a mixed farming operation running during a prolonged dry spell.

With the region facing one of its hardest seasons in recent years, Matt opens up about the real impact of drought — from feed shortages and pasture losses to the mental load of managing stock and cropping programs when nothing goes to plan.

• Drought pressure is forcing a rethink of pasture renovation and cropping programs across mixed farms
• Resowing lucerne has its limits - and knowing when to push on or start again is shaping long-term plans
• Soil amelioration, including deep ploughing and clay spreading, continues to improve outcomes but isn’t a fix-all in extreme seasons
• Seeding strategies are being adjusted in real time, with lessons from previous dry years influencing crop timing, inputs, and variety choice
• Early fodder purchasing and stored inventory have been critical in keeping livestock fed and breeding programs afloat
• Decisions around feeding, destocking, and confinement lambing are being made fast, with economics and animal welfare front of mind
• While the short-term outlook is tight, a clear long-term view is helping guide every decision on the farm

In the latest episode of Hay Matters from Feed Central and LocalAg, our host Jon Paul Driver catches up with Director Tim Ford to discuss the current market and LocalAg's first quarter.

As southern sheds sit nearly empty, Queensland hay has begun heading south in a reversal of traditional seasonal movement. With biosecurity concerns under control in most areas and demand climbing, the coming weeks could see more sheds open if rain arrives.

Meanwhile, the LocalAg platform is handling high volumes well, and buyer demand has led to the introduction of LocalAg Plus, re-introducing delivered pricing and logistics for those who want a hands-off experience.

Market Update:

• Australia is experiencing extreme weather contrasts, with parts of Western Queensland recovering from floods while South Australia and Victoria face severe drought.
• Queensland hay is now moving south in increasing volumes, a major shift from the usual supply direction. Local supply in Southern Australia is limited, but strong recent seasons mean there's still stock available.
• Key seasonal milestones, including Anzac Day and Mother's Day, have passed without rain in many southern regions, increasing concerns about the coming winter.
• If forecast rain fronts materialise, more sheds may open across southern states. Sellers are watching conditions closely, and timely rainfall could ease some market pressure

LocalAg Update

• Buyer demand is strong, with listings moving quickly across the platform.
• We've listened to buyer feedback, and introduced LocalAg Plus to offer the delivered pricing model many of our users were familiar with on Feed Central.
• We're seeing a positive response to payments handled securely via escrow, as sellers appreciate the peace of mind, speed of payments and buyers and sellers can deal directly.

Additional Biosecurity Resources:

• Importing commercial plants and plant products (PIRSA)
• Bringing Hay Into South Australia
• National Fire Ant Eradication Program

In this episode of Hay Matters from Feed Central and LocalAg, host Jon Paul Driver chats with Marty Conroy, the Agronomy Services lead for Northern Australia at Barenbrug Seeds. From his base in Northern NSW, Marty offers a practical look at tropical pasture systems across Queensland, the NT, and northern NSW. He unpacks the science behind C3 and C4 grasses, explains how feed quality directly impacts profitability, and highlights the untapped potential of pasture management and modern breeding programs.

• Pasture breeding is shifting focus toward fibre quality, seasonal fit, and regional adaptability in tropical systems.
• C4 grasses like Rhodes and panicum are critical in the north, with planting tied to rainfall and temperature windows.
• Feed quality drives intake, weight gain, and returns, making it as much about profit as nutrition.
• Breeding is being accelerated through genomic tools, improving local performance and reducing development time.
• C4 pasture management - especially grazing and cutting intervals - remains underutilised despite the potential for a strong return on investment.
• Strategic input use, like nitrogen, can deliver returns that rival financial investments.
• Benchmarking paddock performance year-on-year is key to making smarter decisions in unpredictable seasons.

In the latest Hay Matters Podcast brought to you by LocalAg and Feed Central, host Jon Paul Driver catches up with Stefan Hollmann, a German-born machinery operator and high-density baling expert based in South Australia. After arriving for one harvest, Stefan stayed on and has since produced over 100,000 bales across eight years with the Schusters. He reflected on his recent 7,500-kilometre trip across the east coast, sharing insights on seasonal variability, farming practices, and why understanding feed quality matters more than ever.

• Seasonal contrasts were striking, with some regions flooded, others in deep drought - highlighting the need for localised decision-making and adaptable farming strategies.
• Visiting operations from cotton to corn to rice in a single day highlighted the diversity and complexity of Australian agriculture.
• Farmers are experimenting with seeding tech, chemical timing, and soil improvement methods like delving and spading; Stefan noted there’s no one-size-fits-all approach, even among similar farms.
• A visit to Feed Central’s Toowoomba lab shifted Stefan's perspective on hay analysis, seeing first-hand the precision behind NIR testing and the variety of fodder types tested nationally.
• Coming from Germany’s dairy sector, Stefan values knowing the nutritional content of feed, and believes Australian producers could benefit more from NIR testing, not just visual inspection.
• The trip reinforced how much producers can learn by stepping outside their own patch. Conversations with other farmers sparked ideas he’s keen to explore back home.

In the latest Hay Matters Podcast brought to you by LocalAg and Feed Central, Key Account Sales Manager Alex Smith shares insights from the ground as he travels across the south-eastern states. With southern regions facing dry conditions and Queensland still dealing with the impacts of flooding and beginning their recovery, Alex discusses the shifting dynamics in feed production, market demand, and the value of forward planning.

Key takeaways from the episode:

• Widespread silage has already been made, with buyers now selectively sourcing high-quality cereal, vetch, and lucerne hay.
• The feed trade has flipped again this year, with hay moving from northern and central regions back down to the south.
• Flooded areas in Queensland are experiencing supply delays, while drought conditions in the south are increasing demand pressure.
• Quality hay is in high demand, with delivered costs climbing as buyers look further afield.
• Recent weather events across much of Queensland and Northern NSW have lifted cattle prices due to limited access and uncertainty around pasture recovery. It may take several months before the full impact is known, which is keeping fodder demand in the north relatively low for now.