The collective farmers' group, Dairy Australia, reports steady prices for grains and hay.

The report commissioned by the group shows prices for wheat in Australia have been generally steady over the last week. However, it noted that South Australia and Western Australia saw wheat price increases of $10 due to strong exporter interest.

Wheat prices in Tasmania are up strongly at about $30 because the mainland prices rises have been passed on as local Tassie stocks run down. The report also showed barley having a price very close to wheat in many parts of Australia.

The prices have raised the confidence of grain growers about the 2010-2011 crop yields. Farmers are now cleaning out old crop stocks such as oats.

The report on hay shows a limited demand even with the rain and cold condition throughout Eastern Australia over the past few weeks. Prices for hay have been easing in some regions.

The changes in the seasons, according to the report, greatly the influences hay prices. Likewise, the report cites overseas markets as having greatly influenced the rise in grain prices.

Most professional hay producers are also noted to have been testing their hay. The practice is slowly growing even if clients have not been too keen on using test results or not.