Rhodes Grass Hay

Rhodes grass hay is made from rhodes grass (Chloris gayana), a warm-season perennial grass that is cut and baled from established pastures across tropical and subtropical regions of Australia. It is one of the most widely grown and traded tropical hay types in the country.

Rhodes grass is a productive summer-growing perennial that establishes quickly, tolerates a range of soil types, and regrows well after cutting or grazing. These characteristics make it a practical and cost-effective pasture species across Queensland and northern NSW, where it forms the backbone of many beef cattle operations.

As a hay, rhodes grass is valued for its palatability, its reasonable energy content for a tropical grass, and the fact that it can be cut and baled multiple times per season from the same stand. It does not have the protein levels of legume hays like lucerne or vetch, but for bulk feeding of beef cattle in the north it is one of the most practical and available options.

Browse hay and fodder listings on LocalAg to see current rhodes grass hay availability. If you cannot find what you need listed near you, post a free Wanted Ad and our team will track down a verified supplier.

Yes. Rhodes grass hay is a practical and widely used feed for beef cattle across Queensland and northern NSW, and it suits a range of cattle feeding situations in tropical and subtropical regions.

For beef cattle on maintenance, rhodes grass hay provides adequate energy and fibre to carry cattle through dry periods, hold condition, and keep the rumen functioning well. It is one of the most cost-effective bulk feeds available in the north, which is why it is so widely used across Queensland beef operations.

For growing and backgrounding cattle, rhodes grass hay provides the roughage base of the ration. In situations where faster growth is the goal, supplementing with a protein source such as lucerne hay, vetch hay, or a cottonseed meal supplement lifts performance significantly above what rhodes grass hay alone delivers.

For cows pre-calving and in early lactation, the same principle applies. Rhodes grass hay as the sole feed will maintain cows in reasonable condition if they go into the dry period in good shape, but a protein supplement during late pregnancy and early lactation improves calf birth weight and cow recovery post-calving.

For dairy cattle, rhodes grass hay is not commonly used in southern dairy systems but can work as a roughage component in northern dairy operations where it is the most available forage.

Rhodes grass hay can be fed to horses and some horse owners in Queensland and northern NSW do use it, particularly when it is the most locally available and affordable option. However, it is not considered a purpose-grown equine hay and there are a few things worth knowing before feeding it to horses.

Nutritionally, rhodes grass hay is moderate in energy and lower in protein than cereal hays on average. It provides adequate roughage and fibre but horses in regular work will likely need supplementation to meet their protein and energy requirements if rhodes grass is their primary hay.

Palatability can be variable. Well-made, leafy, early-cut rhodes grass hay is generally acceptable to horses. Mature, coarse, or stemmy hay cut late in the season is less palatable and horses may sort through it or waste significant amounts.

Ergot is worth being aware of. Ergot is a fungal contamination that can affect some grass species including rhodes grass, particularly in warm, humid conditions. Ergot-contaminated hay can cause health issues in horses. This is not a constant risk but is worth checking for, particularly in hays from wet seasons.

For most horse owners in southern Australia, oaten hay or wheaten hay are more practical and consistent choices. For horse owners in northern regions where cereal hays are expensive to freight in, good-quality early-cut rhodes grass hay is a workable option with the considerations above in mind.

Rhodes grass hay is a moderate energy, low to moderate protein tropical grass hay. Typical values on a dry matter basis:

1. Crude Protein (CP): 6 to 12%, with a wide range depending on cutting stage, season, and how well the pasture has been managed and fertilised. Early-cut hay from a well-managed stand tends toward the upper end of this range. Late-cut, mature hay sits lower.
2. Metabolisable Energy (ME): 7.5 to 9.5 MJ/kg DM, which is in the lower-moderate range for a grass hay.
3. Fibre (NDF): typically high, consistent with a tropical perennial grass. Higher fibre than legume hays and some cereal hays.
4. Moisture: should be below 14 to 15% in well-made hay.

Rhodes grass hay falls well short of legume hays on protein. Lucerne at 18 to 25% CP and vetch hay at 16 to 22% CP are in a different category for situations where protein is the primary driver.

Nutritional values in rhodes grass hay vary more between loads than in cereal hays because they depend heavily on pasture management, cutting frequency, and seasonal rainfall. Always request a Feed Central NIR feed test result before buying large volumes. Independent testing can be arranged through our Testing service.

Rhodes grass hay production is concentrated in the tropical and subtropical regions of Australia where the climate suits warm-season perennial grasses.

Queensland is by far the largest producer. Rhodes grass is a dominant pasture species across a wide band of Queensland from the southeast to the central and northern regions. The Darling Downs, Burnett, Wide Bay, central Queensland, and coastal areas all produce significant volumes. Queensland is the primary source of rhodes grass hay supply for both domestic buyers and the export market.

Northern NSW produces rhodes grass hay in the warmer northern regions, particularly around the Liverpool Plains, Namoi, and northwest areas where the climate is warm enough to support summer-growing perennial grasses.

Northern Territory has some rhodes grass production, primarily for local livestock use. Volumes are smaller than Queensland.

Western Australia's Kimberley and Pilbara regions have conditions that suit rhodes grass but organised hay production for sale is limited.

Southern states including Victoria, South Australia, and Tasmania do not produce rhodes grass hay in meaningful volumes because the climate is too cool for the species to thrive.

This regional concentration means buyers in southern states sourcing rhodes grass hay will almost always need to account for interstate freight from Queensland or northern NSW.

The two terms sometimes create confusion because rhodes grass hay technically is a pasture hay in the sense that it is cut from an established pasture. However in the Australian hay market, the terms are used differently and the distinction is worth understanding.

Pasture hay is a broad term covering hay cut from mixed pasture stands. In southern Australia, pasture hay typically contains a mixture of cool-season grasses and often some legume species. Quality and composition vary widely depending on what was growing in the paddock. See pasture hay listings here.

Rhodes grass hay refers specifically to hay produced from stands predominantly or entirely made up of rhodes grass. It is a defined single-species or near single-species product with more predictable nutritional characteristics than a generic mixed pasture hay. When a listing says rhodes grass hay, you know the primary species. When a listing says pasture hay, you may need to ask what is in it.

Climate and region is the other big difference. Pasture hay in the broader sense is produced across all of Australia. Rhodes grass hay specifically comes from tropical and subtropical regions where the species thrives. A buyer in Victoria asking about pasture hay and a buyer in Queensland asking about pasture hay are likely describing quite different products.

In nutritional terms, well-made rhodes grass hay from a managed stand is generally more consistent and predictable than a generic mixed pasture hay from an unknown species composition.

Both are warm-season tropical forages used primarily for beef cattle in northern Australia, but they serve slightly different roles and have different characteristics.

Protein: Rhodes grass hay generally runs higher in protein than sorghum hay, typically 6 to 12% CP versus sorghum's 6 to 10% CP. The ranges overlap but rhodes grass tends to have better leaf content relative to its bulk, which contributes to higher protein per unit of weight.

Palatability: Rhodes grass hay is generally more palatable and consistently accepted by cattle. Good-quality early-cut rhodes grass hay is leafy, fine-stemmed, and most cattle eat it readily. Sorghum hay is coarser and bulkier, and while cattle eat it, it is less palatable than a well-made rhodes grass hay.

Yield and cost: Sorghum produces significantly higher bulk per hectare than rhodes grass and tends to be cheaper per tonne as a result. For operations that need to feed very large volumes at minimum cost, sorghum's yield advantage makes it more economical.

Safety considerations: Sorghum hay requires more management awareness around prussic acid (HCN) risk, particularly in hay that was baled immature or has not been well cured. Rhodes grass hay does not carry this risk.

Practical use: Many northern beef operations use both depending on availability and price. Rhodes grass hay tends to be preferred when quality matters more than volume. Sorghum hay suits situations where bulk feed at low cost is the priority and the operation has the knowledge to manage it correctly.

Rhodes grass is a warm-season perennial that grows actively during the summer months, which means its hay production season is tied to summer rainfall and growing conditions in tropical and subtropical Queensland and northern NSW.

Cutting typically begins from around November to December as summer growth gets underway, with the bulk of production and baling occurring from January through to April depending on seasonal conditions and how the summer wet has performed. Because rhodes grass is a perennial, it can be cut multiple times per season from the same stand, which extends the production window compared to annual crops.

New-season rhodes grass hay generally starts coming onto the market from around February to May, which is when the summer cuttings are baled, shed, and ready for sale. Supply builds through autumn as more loads are completed and listed.

In years with a good summer wet season, supply is generally strong and prices are competitive. In dry summers, production drops and supply tightens, which affects availability and price through the following year.

Older-season stock from the previous year's production is often still available through winter and into the following spring, though quality in long-stored hay needs to be checked before purchase.

If you are planning ahead for your feeding program, particularly for operations that need to carry stock through the dry season, buying early in the season when supply is at its peak typically gives you the best price and quality options.

Browse Rhodes grass hay listings on LocalAg and use the location filter to find sellers in Queensland and northern NSW within a practical freight distance from your property. Every listing shows bale type, quantity, ex-farm price, and an indicative delivered price so you can compare the true cost before making contact. All sellers are verified and transactions go through CheckVault escrow.

If there are no rhodes grass hay listings near you right now, post a free Wanted Ad on LocalAg. Tell us what you need including quantity, bale type, and any requirements around feed test data, and our team will find a verified supplier. We regularly connect buyers across Queensland and northern NSW with producers who have stock available and can arrange delivery to your property.

Feed test data. Rhodes grass hay quality varies considerably between loads depending on cutting stage, season, and pasture management. A NIR feed test result is the most reliable way to know what you are actually buying. On LocalAg, sellers can attach Feed Central feed test results to their listing. Always ask for the test result before committing to a large volume.

Cutting stage. The most important factor in rhodes grass hay quality is when it was cut. Hay cut early when the plant is actively growing and before the stem becomes too coarse produces the best leaf-to-stem ratio, highest protein, and best palatability. Ask the seller what growth stage the crop was at when cut.

Leaf content. Good quality rhodes grass hay should have reasonable leaf content relative to stem. Hay that is mostly coarse stem with little leaf was cut too late or has been stored for a long time and will have lower digestibility and protein.

Colour. Good rhodes grass hay ranges from golden to light green. Bright green is ideal. Yellow or brown discolouration indicates weathering, rain damage during curing, or extended storage with quality loss.

Smell. Clean and dry with a grassy smell is what you want. Musty or sour smell indicates mould. Any ammonia smell indicates heating in storage.

Weed content. Ask about weed content and look for listings with a Weed Safe badge on LocalAg, which indicates the hay has been assessed against verified standards.

Moisture. Confirm moisture was below 14 to 15% at baling. Rhodes grass hay baled too green can heat and mould in storage. If you are buying a large volume for dry-season storage, moisture content is a critical check before purchase.

Yes, sheep can eat rhodes grass hay and it is used for sheep in Queensland and northern NSW where it is the most available and affordable hay option.

For dry ewes and wethers on maintenance, rhodes grass hay can hold condition adequately in animals that are in reasonable shape going into the dry period. It provides roughage and fibre and keeps the rumen functioning.

For ewes pre-lambing and lactating, rhodes grass hay alone is not adequate. The protein content, typically 6 to 12% CP, falls short of what ewes need in the last four to six weeks before lambing and during early lactation. At those stages, supplementing with lucerne hay, vetch hay, or a protein meal is essential to support lamb birth weight and ewe recovery.

For weaner lambs, rhodes grass hay needs to be paired with a protein supplement. Weaners have high protein requirements relative to body weight and a low to moderate protein grass hay will not drive the growth rates needed in the weaning period.

For finishing lambs, rhodes grass hay can work as a roughage component alongside grain in feedlot-style finishing, which is how it is most commonly used for sheep in northern regions.

The honest assessment is that for sheep operations in southern Australia, rhodes grass hay is rarely the most practical choice when cereal hays are readily available. For sheep producers in Queensland and northern NSW where rhodes grass is locally produced and freight on southern hays is expensive, it is a workable option with supplementation at critical production stages.