Hay shortages and price rises expected after flooding wipes out growing regions

Flooded hay storage near Bridgewater on Loddon in northern Victoria in October. Flooding has destroyed stored hay and this year’s crop across much of eastern Australia. Photograph: Brendan Mccarthy/AAP

Stock feed prices are rising as widespread floods take out key fodder-growing regions in eastern Australia, causing an increase in farming costs that will be passed on to consumers.

According to Dairy Australia, wet weather has hindered usual hay, silage and grain production, with harvesting and processing delayed as fields dry out – if the crop hasn’t been destroyed entirely.