Hay Matters

For the second part of the Feed Central Hay Matters Hay Innovators series, Jon Paul Driver caught up Damon Humphris of Taggr and Gavin Leersen of BaleTime at the recent AFIA Conference. This episode dives into the solutions both innovators have developed to tackle age-old challenges in hay production. Discover how Damon's journey led to the creation of an automated tagging system for hay bales, simplifying the traceability process for exporters. Meanwhile, Gavin introduces BaleTime, a device that transforms hay baling timing with accurate humidity readings, boosting productivity and allowing farmers to manage baling schedules remotely, reducing the need for early morning field checks.

• Damon Humphris describes the inception of Taggr’s automated hay bale tagging system, highlighting its role in streamlining the baling process and ensuring traceability for hay exports.
• Through trial and error, Damon integrated advanced robotics into Taggr, ensuring that each hay bale was tagged accurately and efficiently, setting a new standard in the industry.
• Damon’s journey through the technological hurdles overcome to develop Taggr included creating an effective tag-feeding mechanism that could withstand the rigors of large-scale farming operations.
• The idea for BaleTime came to Gavin Leersen while he was timing his sheep shearing; a farmer's offhand remark about needing to know the best baling time led him to harness humidity sensors for precise baling schedules.
• BaleTime provides farmers with a system to measure ambient and in-windrow humidity, helping them to optimise hay baling times with precision, improving yield quality and reducing unnecessary labour.
• The monitor operates effectively in areas with poor cellular service by utilising a simple SMS-based system that requires minimal signal, ensuring reliable communication and functionality even in remote locations.
• With their innovative approaches, Damon Humphris and Gavin Leersen are actively shaping the future of farm management, setting new benchmarks for operational excellence in agriculture.

In the first of our two-part Hay Innovators series on the Feed Central Hay Matters Podcast, Jon Paul Driver sits down with Louis Kelly, Chairman of the Australian Fodder Industry Association (AFIA), and Bryce Riddell, the creator of HayShepherd, a groundbreaking system for monitoring hay sheds. The conversation covers critical developments from the AFIA conference, new technologies transforming hay farming, and the challenges and opportunities facing the fodder industry in Australia. Bryce Riddell introduces the HayShepherd system, developed to prevent hay shed fires by monitoring temperature changes in stored hay bales.

• Louis Kelly talks about the role of AFIA in the hay industry, particularly in driving collaboration between farmers and innovators.
• Technology and innovation, while often incremental, can lead to significant changes in farm operations over time.
• Bryce Riddell joins the podcast to introduce the HayShepherd monitoring system, explaining how it was developed to detect temperature changes that indicate a risk of spontaneous combustion in hay sheds.
• The increasing cost of insurance for hay sheds and technological solutions, like HayShepherd, are now critical for mitigating risk and keeping insurance costs manageable.
• The hay sector must adapt to both environmental changes and market pressures, and the role technology will play in this transformation.
• HayShepherd works through sensors placed in the hay shed to monitor temperature variations between bales and the shed’s control temperature, with real-time alerts sent to farmers.
• The system was initially developed to meet strict insurance demands but has since become a critical tool for large-scale hay operations.
• The system can scale for use in large hay operations, with sensors spread throughout sheds to pinpoint problem areas.

Jon Paul Driver catches up with National Sales Manager Dave Clothier for a hay market report and an indepth discussion on the current status of the national hay market ahead of new season. While Southern Queensland has seen good early-season hay production, and early harvesting in New South Wales promises high yields, dry conditions in South Australia and Western Victoria are expected to lead to lowered production. With much of the 2022 hay stock now gone, and high fodder demand, this is the idea time to fill the sheds.

• The national stockpile of hay is largely depleted, with existing supplies either committed for domestic use or export. Price stability is expected by late October to early November as the status of the stockpile becomes clearer.
• In southern Queensland, there's been substantial hay production due to favourable early-season weather. Meanwhile, New South Wales has hay prematurely on the ground, and regions like the Darling Downs are experiencing unusually high yields and early harvests.
• In contrast, South Australia and Western Victoria face reduced yields due to ongoing dry conditions, affecting overall availability.
• With grain prices decreasing and cattle numbers on the rise, fodder demand is leading more farmers to turn to hay production to capitalise on the fodder market.
• Hay is only made for 90 days, but cattle eat 365 days a year, and this is the ideal time to fill sheds with high quality feed in preparation for upcoming demand.

In this episode of the Hay Matters podcast, Jon Paul Driver talks with Dr. Louise Brown, CEO and founder of Hydgene Renewables. They dive into how hay and fodder are being turned into green hydrogen, revolutionising the way farmers can produce and use ammonia for fertilisers. Louise discusses her shift from academic research to spearheading this innovative startup, focusing on the practical benefits and potential of this technology for the farming community.

• Louise transitioned from a career in academia to pioneering a startup that harnesses engineered bacteria to convert biomass into hydrogen.
• The process not only produces a key ingredient for ammonia but also offers a more environmentally friendly alternative to the traditional methods that rely heavily on fossil fuels.
• This technology's adaptability for on-farm use could significantly lower fertiliser costs and improve self-sufficiency for farmers.
• The technology is scalable, with the potential to bring economic and environmental benefits to farming communities.

There are a range of opportunities for farmers to collaborate on creating the infrastructure needed to support this new technology, enhancing sustainability and community resilience.

In this episode, Jon Paul Driver talks with Thommo, a hay industry veteran who began carting hay for over 62 years ago. Thommo discusses his early days of manual hay baling, his role as a founding member of the Australian Fodder Industry Association, and the technological changes he's witnessed and embraced in his long career. He also shares insights from his international travels and the strong network of relationships he's built across the industry. From his first hand-operated baler to a 50 foot mower to Australia's first Heston baler, join us for a fascinating episode as Thommo recounts the developments he's seen shape modern hay production over six decades.

• Thommo started his hay carting career at 14, using a tractor and trailer borrowed from his dad to move hay 30 bales at a time to a location a mile away, and earning himself a shilling a bale. By the time he was 18, Thommo had saved enough money from carting hay to buy a Ford Falcon Ute.
• His big break came when he secured a major contract to supply 15,000 tons of small square bales yearly to a large feedlot. Despite the challenges, with three trucks and continuous hard work, he managed to make it work, hauling hay from as far as 200 miles away.
• In the 1980s, the introduction of round rolls and big square bales eased the labour and logistics of moving hay and Thommo's area was among the first in Australia to use the large Heston square balers, leading to a dramatic increase in efficiency and output.
• Thommo is a founding member of the Australian Fodder Industry Association (AFIA) and prides himself on never missing a conference in 25 years.
• He believes firmly in embracing new technologies; failing to adapt means getting left behind and staying current is essential for success in modern agriculture.
• Thommo values the connections he’s made throughout his career, highlighting that the relationships built across Australia, and his six years of work on agricultural boards in Canberra, have been crucial in navigating agricultural challenges.
• He embarked on a study tour to America about 20 years ago, which altered his initial perceptions of American farmers. The trip included visits to farms and a John Deere factory where he gained significant insights from interactions with both farmers and industry leaders.
• After the U.S. tour, he extended his travels to England, where his experiences included seeing a 50-foot mower that could mow 1000 acres in a day.
• Despite the technological advances he saw, there are practical limitations of relying solely on digital solutions in farming, making it a necessity to maintain a balance with both traditional methods and new innovations.

Tim Ford, Director:

• While there has been recent rain, many areas continue to experience a "green drought" with slow grass growth, particularly in the intensive grazing and dairy regions of Southern Victoria and South Australia.
• Despite some growth stimulated by summer rain, a dry autumn and delayed onset of winter have led to significant feed gaps and strong demand for hay, which has shifted industry dynamics.
• Historically, intensive dairy areas produced their own silage; however, this year has seen a substantial southward movement of hay from northern Victoria and Southern New South Wales, disrupting established supply chains.
• Reports indicate a disconnection between hay producers and consumers, possibly due to lost relationships and a general lack of knowledge on how to secure hay supplies, further complicated by changes in business ownership and succession planning.
• Feed Central has been facilitating the procurement of necessary feed since the 2002 drought, focusing on aligning the right product with customer needs through a detailed six-step process including listing, inspection, grading, testing, and delivery coordination.

Dave Clothier, National Sales Manager:

• Lucerne prices are coming down slightly to stimulate the market as we head into the colder months.
• Sheds continue to empty in preparation for the new season, resulting in minimal carryover, which is great for filling with high-quality new season hay.
• Western Victoria and South Australia have been dry, affecting yields and leading to a big feed gap; recent rains are helping, but spring weather will be critical to watch.
• Hay is moving from northern and eastern Victoria into these drier areas, with some growers re-sowing due to delayed rain.
• In Southern Queensland, hay is already on the ground, with conversations happening on early harvests around mid to end of August in northern NSW; longer curing periods will potentially have an impact on quality.
• Stable hay pricing is anticipated, similar to last year, but dependent on factors including above-average rainfall and the potential for frosted crops affecting volumes.
• With a bumper grain harvest forecasted, we might see a softening in hay prices, impacting both the hay and export markets.

Episode Highlights:

• Equi-Analytical was launched in June 2004 in response to the equine industry's need for specialised hay and pasture testing.
• Known for its robust NIR technology calibrations, Equi-Analytical licenses these globally.
• Equi-Analytical's launch in Australia will benefit the local equine market by reducing testing turnaround times for some services.
• Hay might be tested for many reasons such as to choose the best feed, or to assess the available feed to determine if supplementation may be required to meet your equine’s nutritional needs.
• Many metabolic health issues in horses, such as Cushing's Syndrome or Insulin Resistance, can be greatly improved by managing their diet.
• Hay corers help ensure accurate forage testing by collecting representative samples. They are available for purchase through Feed Central, or to borrow through some nutritionists, pony clubs, and rural stores.
• In the lab, samples are ground to a 1mm particle size, with only 60ml used for analysis at Feed Central. This highlights the importance of accurate in-lab and on-farm sampling given the small amount tested from potentially large sources.
• The Feed Composition Library on the Equi-Analytical website is a useful resource to compare forage test results with typical grass and hay profiles, providing a helpful starting point for understanding the numbers.
• Nutritional requirements will vary based on individual variations such as breed, age, and workload.
• After testing, it's best to take the results to a vet or nutritionist for advice for your circumstances. Alternatively, you can use nutrition software like FeedXL to import the data and identify dietary needs yourself.

This week on the podcast, Jon Paul Driver sits down with Shaun Hann, the Manager at Toowoomba Hay Farm, to discuss his firsthand experiences after one of their storage facilities was declared to be in a fire ant zone. Shaun shares how this unexpected challenge has impacted their operations, the new regulations they are navigating, and the practical steps they are taking to remain fire ant free and compliant.

Episode Highlights:

• The recent discovery of fire ants just kilometres away from Toowoomba Hay Farm's Oakey storage facility has necessitated a rapid educational and operational response to comply with stringent biosecurity standards.
• Fire ants, known for their destructive impact on crops and painful stings, represent a significant agricultural and public health threat.
• Following the identification of a fire ant nest in May, a five-kilometre contamination zone was established around the nest site, placing Toowoomba Hay Farm’s Oakey storage facility within this high-alert area.
• Fortunately, Toowoomba Hay Farm’s storage facilities already had bitumen and concrete flooring, but has taken additional biosecurity measures, including setting up chemical barriers and updating storage protocols, to prevent the spread of ants.
• Staff at the facility underwent extensive training and received certifications in fire ant management, ensuring preparedness and compliance with the National Fire Ant Eradication Program and Queensland's Biosecurity 2016 guidelines.
• Toowoomba Hay Farm has adopted additional safety protocols, including weekly inspections and advanced pest control treatments, to proactively exceed governmental requirements.
• The ongoing government-led baiting and chemical treatments aim to reduce the spread of the ant colonies, with the storage facility's status remaining in Zone One, indicating continued high vigilance and control efforts.
• The potential downgrade of the contamination zone from Zone One to Zone Two remains uncertain, which could impact future plans and costs.

Visit the Feed Central website for helpful tips on biosecurity, along with training, and certification resources compiled by the team after their experience in a fire ant zone: https://www.feedcentral.com.au/fire-ant-resources/

Episode Highlights:

• Recent rainfall across the eastern seaboard has had minimal impact on reducing fodder demand.
• The EOFY is influencing decision making. Some growers are choosing to defer payments and buyers are deciding between filling on-farm storage now or in the new financial year.
• Demand is high and driven from the south, spreading into the north; all grades are selling well which bodes well for the new season.
• Beef prices are expected to remain strong for the next few years, supported by exceptional seasons and high livestock numbers in QLD, NT, and NSW. High calving and weaning rates are expected to continue boosting supply on the eastern seaboard.
• In WA, dry conditions are leading to increased livestock movement to eastern graziers and into abattoirs.
• While there is still a significant volume of hay available, it is distributed in smaller lots, making it challenging to secure large quantities. All grades are available, but larger lines of quality hay are scarce.
• The rapid sale of all hay grades, including weather-damaged stock, is setting the industry up for a promising new season. Unlike last year, when quality hay was left on pads due to limited shed space and faced higher risks, the current situation looks much more favourable for the upcoming season.
• Across the board, hay prices are firm, except for quality cereal grades where prices are rising due to demand.

Episode Highlights:

• There are concerns about potential oversupply in both Australia and the US. Natural events like droughts and floods regulate this supply to some extent. However, there is a limit to how much the market, especially in Asia, can absorb.
• There is a severe supermarket duopoly in Australia which is currently a major topic at the federal government level. This market dominance is not only impacting consumers who are already paying high prices but even more so for suppliers and growers, who are facing severe disadvantages.
• There's a need to ensure that growers can sustain their businesses, and at the same time, it's crucial to make products affordable so customers can also maintain sustainable operations.
• Opportunities in China's dairy industry are emerging as the market reopens after political issues and companies remain understandably cautious. If managed well, however, China could become a significant market again.
• Despite China's reopening, it's wise to also consider other regions. The Middle East, for instance, presents a substantial opportunity for the export market due to its potential for growth.
• Emerging markets, particularly in Southeast Asia, are demanding higher-quality products and proteins. The region cannot produce feed sources as efficiently as Australia, presenting opportunities for sustainable and profitable exports.