Hay Matters

Feed Central
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Stay up to date and learn more about the industry with the Feed Central Hay Matters Podcast – your portal to the intricate world of hay, brought to life through real stories and expert analysis.

  1. Oct 27

    Hay Matters S3 E11 Hay Season Update with Steve Page & Nev Janke

    In this episode of Hay Matters, Feed Standards Australia Grower Services Manager Steve Page is joined by Nev Janke from Feed Central Trading for a look at seasonal conditions, hay production and the challenges that can affect quality. Following his recent travels through New South Wales and Victoria, Steve shares what he saw in the paddock—from dry conditions and patchy crops in the north to strong yields and wet-weather delays further south. Steve and Nev also discuss: How delayed cutting can affect crop maturity and feed quality.Why feed tests and quality certificates are valuable in a season with potentially large hay volumes.Chemical records, withholding periods and the importance of accurate Commodity Vendor Declarations.How the Seed to Feed program and Weed Safe can give buyers more information about qualifying hay lots.Listing hay on Local Ag Marketplace before a quality certificate is completed.Managing the risk of mice when grain is present in stored hay.Hay Matters is brought to you by Feed Standards Australia, with partners Local Ag Marketplace and Feed Central Trading.

    Hay Matters S3 E11 Hay Season Update with Steve Page & Nev Janke

  2. Oct 21

    Baling better: practical tips from the paddock

    Join Steve Page in the paddock at Toowoomba Hay Farm for a practical look at round balers and the machinery decisions that influence hay quality and efficiency. Steve is riding along with Ben Andrews from RDO and Brendan Disson from Kuhn, during a barley hay baling demonstration. Steve explores John Deere and Kuhn round balers, discussing automation, bale density, net-wrap access and choosing equipment to suit different operations. The conversation also looks beyond the baler, covering mower-conditioner blade wear, roller maintenance and how windrow width affects crop flow and bale formation. Whether you make your own hay or work with a contractor, this episode offers useful insights into getting more from your haymaking equipment. In this episode: John Deere and Kuhn round balers in action.How automation can reduce operator workload.What mower blade wear can reveal about operating speed.Matching windrows to the baler for more consistent feeding.The importance of mower-conditioner setup and maintenance.Hay Matters is presented by Feed Standards Australia, with partners LocalAg Marketplace and Feed Central Trading.

  3. Oct 9

    Growing quality lucerne with Wade Alexander

    What goes into making award-winning lucerne hay? In the latest episode of Hay Matters, Steve Page joins Wade Alexander on farm to discuss the decisions behind his National Lucerne Feed Test Award win. Wade shares his approach to establishing and renewing lucerne stands, incorporating barley and oats, and adapting mowing and raking to the weather. They also discuss beneficial insects, and why feed quality involves more than protein alone. It’s an honest, practical conversation about learning through experience, trying different approaches and managing the pressure of rising input costs.

    Growing quality lucerne with Wade Alexander

  4. Sep 20

    Managing High-Yielding Crops in a Wetter Than Expected Season - with Josh Lanyon

    In this episode of the Feed Standards Australia podcast, Steve Page catches up with returning guest Josh Lanyon from Boort in the southern mallee region of Victoria, to discuss an unexpectedly wet growing season and the challenges of turning high-yielding crops into quality hay. After beginning the year with drought conditions forecast, Josh’s district has experienced ongoing rain, saturated paddocks and waterlogged crops. He shares how the conditions have affected his vetch and oats, the yields he is anticipating and the difficult decisions that may need to be made when cutting begins. Steve and Josh also discuss managing lodged crops, mower conditioning and raking strategies, along with the importance of cutting high-biomass crops at the right stage before feed quality begins to decline. In this episode: The effect of waterlogging on vetch and oat cropsExpected cutting times and potential hay yieldsManaging wet and inaccessible areas within paddocksFrost risk and decisions around hay versus grainPreparing machinery for tall, heavy or lodged cropsConditioning and raking strategies in wet conditionsThe challenge of curing vetch over saturated groundProtecting hay quality when weather windows are limitedStorage, marketing and the outlook for the coming hay seasonJosh’s key message is to cut on time and plan ahead. With large crops, delayed cutting can quickly reduce feed quality, while lodged crops and wet ground require careful thought about how mowing and raking equipment will be used.

    Managing High-Yielding Crops in a Wetter Than Expected Season - with Josh Lanyon

  5. May 20

    Building a Mixed Farming System That Spreads Risk

    In this episode of the Hay Matters Podcast, Steve Page catches up with Anthony Exton in the Coolamon region to talk hay production, mixed farming, crop rotations and how diversification helps spread risk across the season. From vetch and oats through to straw, trucks and marketing hay through LocalAg, Anthony shares practical insights from the paddock and the decisions shaping the season ahead. In this episode: Why Anthony grows vetch and oats together Keeping grain and hay options open depending on the seasonManaging curing times, paddock selection and hay qualitySeasonal conditions and sowing progress in southern NSWReflections on last season’s hay yields and qualityMarketing hay through LocalAgKey takeaway Building flexibility into a farming business through multiple income streams, marketing options and diversified production systems can help manage seasonal pressure and changing market conditions. Listen to the episode now.

    Building a Mixed Farming System That Spreads Risk

  6. Apr 15

    The Legacy Tour: Inspiring the Next Generation of Hay

    In this episode of Hay Matters, Hugh Ford takes us on the road with the Griffin Lanyon Legacy Tour, bringing together young farmers from across Australia to explore the future of the industry. From farm visits and large-scale operations to real conversations on the bus, this episode captures what’s actually shaping the thinking of young producers right now. In this episode: Why the Griffin Lanyon Legacy Tour was created and what it representsWhat young farmers are seeing across different regions and systemsThe importance of networking in a connected but spread-out industryInsights from visits to operations like John Deere and Midfield MeatsHow different businesses approach hay, grain, livestock and contractingWhat exposure to large-scale operations changes in your thinkingWhere young producers see opportunity in agricultureThe role of innovation, technology and adaptability moving forwardKey takeaway: The future of agriculture isn’t coming, it’s already here. Young farmers are building networks, embracing innovation and thinking beyond their own farm gate to shape what comes next.

    The Legacy Tour: Inspiring the Next Generation of Hay

  7. Apr 1

    Season 3 Episode 5 - Freight, Fuel & Forward Contract with David Clothier

    Freight is up. Fuel is tight. And supply is shifting further south. In this episode of Hay Matters, Steve Page sits down with David Clothier to unpack what’s really happening on the ground as we head into April. From recent travel across South Australia and Victoria to conversations with growers and buyers, this episode covers the key forces shaping decision-making right now. In this episode: How recent rain events have disrupted movement and demandWhy freight is becoming the biggest factor in pricing decisionsWhere supply is sitting and how far it needs to travelThe growing role of forward contracts in managing riskWhat’s happening with lucerne, cereal hay and protein opportunitiesWhy vetch is gaining attention heading into the next seasonFeedlot demand and what it means for northern buyersThe outlook heading into winter and beyondKey takeaway: The fundamentals are strong, but distance, cost and timing are everything. Positioning yourself early could make all the difference this season.

    Season 3 Episode 5 - Freight, Fuel & Forward Contract with David Clothier

  8. Mar 18

    Life, Legacy and Farming the Future with Ella Lanyon

    Show Notes In this episode of the Hay Matters Podcast, part of our Next Generation series, we sit down with Ella Lanyon, a broadacre grower from Victoria’s Wimmera region, to talk about farming, industry connections and the inspiration behind the Griffin Lanyon Legacy Tour. Ella shares the story behind the tour, created in memory of her younger brother Griffin, and how it brought together young people from across Australia to explore different farming systems, businesses and opportunities within agriculture. Alongside the tour, Ella also talks about her own farming operation near Birchip, where she manages a broadacre cropping business with her father while completing a Masters in Agriculture. From crop rotations and hay production to machinery investment and planting strategies, the discussion offers a practical look at decision-making on farm. In this episode, you’ll hear about: The idea behind the Griffin Lanyon Legacy Tour and how it honours Griffin’s passion for agriculture and community Why getting young farmers off farm to see other systems and operations is so valuable • The importance of networking and learning from others across the industry Visiting farms, feedlots, machinery operations and processing facilities across Victoria and South Australia Ella’s broadacre cropping operation near Birchip A three-way rotation of legumes, barley and oaten hay Increasing lentil production and how it compares to vetch Balancing grain and hay production depending on seasonal conditions Opportunistically cutting cereals for hay when moisture becomes limiting Planning for the season ahead, including planting windows and weed control Investing in machinery to improve efficiency and expand capacityElla’s story highlights both the opportunities and pressures facing the next generation of farmers, from managing family businesses to making strategic decisions about crops, inputs and investment. One key takeaway? Young farmers benefit enormously from stepping outside their own operations. Seeing different systems, sharing experiences and building industry connections can bring new ideas, perspective and confidence back to the farm.

    Life, Legacy and Farming the Future with Ella Lanyon
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About

Stay up to date and learn more about the industry with the Feed Central Hay Matters Podcast – your portal to the intricate world of hay, brought to life through real stories and expert analysis.

Information

  • Creator
    Feed Central
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    62
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Feed Central 2024
  • Show Website
    Hay Matters

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