Spring Update

2017 is Feed Central’s 15th Year of trade. We want to firstly say a HUGE THANKYOU to all our clients for your long term support. The market continues to change and the demands from both buyers and sellers is always on the move. We continue to listen and work really hard to meet the requirements of our clients.

Over the last 12 months Feed Central has been finalising and trialling the most significant change to our business model yet. It is bold and we are confident that it sets us up to service clients exceptionally well for the next 15 years.

We have given our new service the name ‘ADVERTISING SERVICES’. This service allows sellers to advertise their hay, grain, silage and straw for sale with their contact details listed directly to our buyers, so buyers and sellers can transact without the assistance of Feed Central, if they choose.

This service is LIVE and ready to use right now at www.feedcentral.com.au. You’ll notice that we have completely revamped our website and it is now mobile-friendly. Please go and have a good look around.

KEEPING IT SIMPLE… Hay and Grain > Buy > Sell > Test

Feed Central organises the short and long term supply of hay to key clients. We are experts in working with backgrounders, dairies and feedlots to manage the supply chain and quality requirements, from seeding all the way to the end user.

Feed Central offers growers the ability to advertise hay and grain product for direct sale on our website. Growers can choose to upgrade their listing to one of several quality assurance options, with their contact details displayed so buyers can contact them directly. The website attracts thousands of buyers per day and quality assured lots are also marketed via our sales team.

Feed Central tests almost a million tonnes of feed through our Toowoomba and Shepparton labs each year (using Dairy One callibrations) and we inspect around 300,000 tonnes of hay on farm each year.

When I travel around the country and meet clients, I am always humbled and surprised by the interest in Feed Central. My family and I greatly appreciate your interest and support.

We are proud to celebrate our 15th birthday, but even prouder to be able to receive feedback and make bold changes to our business. After 15 years in this game I am aware that change takes time to settle in and for clients to adjust to. I am confident that these changes will over time be seen as a major improvement to the way Feed Central does business and lead to more satisfied clients.

For questions or feedback, please feel free to call me directly or alternatively call one of our team. Thank you for your support.

TIM FORD | 0429 309 265

Australia’s hay growers are primed for a good selling season with strong demand expected for their product, and fears about a repeat of last year’s over-supply being allayed.

Feed Central has released its annual seasonal booklet to help growers make the right choices this season.

The booklet is especially designed to assist growers who are considering making hay from cereal crops due to drought and/or frost but has useful information for anyone contemplating hay production this spring.

Feed Central’s Managing Director, Tim Ford described last year’s over-supply as a one-in-ten year event caused by a wet season coinciding with negativity in the Victorian dairy sector, which resulted in a volume of low-grade product sitting on farms.

“Historically, Feed Central always seems to run out of good quality hay to sell and this year we predict growers with quality hay will continue to be rewarded,”
Tim said.

He added that 2016-17 yields were exceptional due to the very good season, but this resulted in low feed testing: thick stem hay with poor colour.

“This year being drier, the product will be much higher quality. It won’t have the bulk but it will have higher energy, protein and digestibility because it is a lower rainfall season.”

“Once the new season hay is tested, we strongly believe there will be a significant price difference between new season product and old season product.”

“We’re selling about 2000 tonnes a week of old season stock at the moment and expect that to continue as long as the quality remains reasonable,” Tim said, “However, we expect new season product to be higher quality and to attract a higher price.”

About nine million tonnes of hay is made each year in Australia, mainly within a 90-day window, but Tim said cows eat 365 days a year and growers need to plan their cash flow and storage options to ensure that they have a positive outcome from hay.

This season’s booklet edition is available on the Feed Central website OR use the code below. The booklet includes a gross margin ready reckoner to help growers to decide to make hay or harvest grain. It also gives tips and recommendations on bale sizes, picking a contractor, making quality hay and storage.