When to Plant and Cut Hay in Australia

If you’re growing hay in Australia, timing is everything. Plant too early, and you risk slow germination. Cut too late, and your hay loses nutritional value. Whether you’re a seasoned grower or just getting started, understanding your region’s climate and your crop’s lifecycle can make all the difference between a good hay season and a great one.

This guide walks you through the full hay journey – from planting to cutting – with real-world advice tailored to Australian conditions.

Choosing your hay crop

Before we talk about timing, it’s worth thinking about what you’re growing. In Australia, most hay comes from:

• Cereal crops like oats, barley or triticale
• Legumes such as lucerne or clover
• Pasture blends like ryegrass and clover
• Warm-season crops like millet and sorghum (mainly in the north)

Each crop type has its own window for sowing and cutting, and choosing the right one for your area matters just as much as getting the dates right.

When to plant hay in Australia

Autumn sowing (March–May)

Most hay across southern Australia is planted in autumn, once the weather cools and the season’s break brings moisture. This suits cool-season crops like:

• Oats
• Ryegrass
• Clover
• Lucerne

Best suited to: VIC, SA, southern NSW, WA’s wheatbelt, and TAS

Top tips:

• Aim to sow just before or after the first reliable rainfall.
• Avoid rushing into dry soil – late March to early May is ideal for most.
• Watch your soil temperature – lucerne, for example, prefers 15–25°C for germination.

Spring sowing (August–October)

In northern regions or in years with a missed autumn break, some growers sow hay in spring using warm-season varieties.

Common crops:

• Millet
• Forage sorghum
• Late lucerne plantings (in some areas)

Best suited to: QLD, northern NSW, NT

Watch-outs:

• Warm-season crops grow quickly, but need consistent moisture.
• Avoid sowing too close to summer – heat stress can reduce quality and growth.

When to cut hay in Australia

Getting the cutting time right is what separates top-grade hay from the rest. The goal? Maximise nutritional value, leaf retention, and overall yield, without leaving the crop too late and letting it become dry and stemmy.

Cutting too early reduces bulk. Cutting too late can lower protein and energy, especially in cereal hay.

Here’s when to watch for the ideal stage:

Rather than fixating on dates, trust the plant. For example, with oats, gently squeeze a seed – if it produces a milky fluid, you’re at the sweet spot for cutting.

Don’t forget the weather

Even when your crop is ready, the weather might not be. Moisture and temperature affect curing – and wet hay is prone to mould, rot, and even spontaneous combustion.

Aim for:

• 3–5 days of dry, sunny conditions
• Light breeze to help with curing
• Low overnight humidity

Avoid:

• Cutting before a rain front
• Windrows that are too thick to dry properly

Pro tip: If weather is borderline, conditioning your hay (with rollers or crimpers) or tedding it can speed up drying and reduce risk.

Tips for different regions

Australia’s diverse climates mean hay timing varies widely. Here’s a quick reference:

Always keep an eye on local conditions. In high rainfall areas, you may need to cut slightly earlier to beat the wet season.

Common mistakes to avoid

Even experienced growers can get caught out. Here are a few traps to steer clear of:

• Waiting too long to cut: This is the biggest quality killer. Don’t chase every last tonne – protein and palatability drop fast.
• Cutting when rain is coming: One rain event can undo a season’s work.
• Not testing soil or hay: You can’t manage what you don’t measure. Soil tests improve crop selection, and hay tests build buyer trust.
• Overusing the same paddock: Rotating hay paddocks helps break weed and pest cycles, and protects long-term soil health.

Final thoughts

Planting and cutting hay isn’t just about dates – it’s about reading the season, your soil, your crop, and the forecast. Every farm is different, but if you stay tuned in to the signs around you, you’ll make smarter decisions at every step.

Remember: you only get one good shot at cutting hay each season. A well-timed cut means better quality, happier stock, and stronger prices if you’re selling.

If you’re just getting started or unsure about timing, don’t be afraid to chat with neighbours, local agronomists or even your hay buyer. Their experience, combined with your own observations, is your best guide.