FAQ

Gilmac is a reliable and dependable company that has been supplying high-quality products for over 30 years. Gilmac has pioneered the development of contamination removal systems and our press machines have been specifically designed and constructed for Australian products.

Gilmac has the largest storage and pressing capacity of any Australian exporter. These large-scale facilities ensure continued supply every year.

Oat, wheat and barley. Varieties such as Lucerne (Alfalfa) Timothy, Sudan & Klein are not widely traded or exported from Australia.

Oaten hay is highly palatable and provides ‘scratch’ which increases saliva production and improves rumen function. It is also high in soluble fibre which assists with increased butter fat production in dairy cows.

Australian oaten hay is GMO-free and grown naturally using dry-land farming methods (non-irrigated).

Hay and straw can be fed to ruminant and equine animals including dairy and beef cattle, horses, sheep and lambs, goats and camels. Pellets should not be fed to horses or other equids and may be fatal if consumed.

Gilmac has exported hay to Japan, Taiwan (Republic of China), South Korea, New Zealand, Saudi Arabia, Brunei and the People’s Republic of China.

Every paddock from which hay is sourced has core samples taken from 20% of the bales. A sample of the material is analysed by an accredited Australian government laboratory for the presence of the bacteria causing ARGT. Only samples that return a result of “Not Detected” are exported.

The strap is made from polyethylene (PE) and is recyclable.

Paddocks are seeded in May and the crops grow through the cooler, wetter months of Australia’s winter. Harvest generally begins in October and Gilmac’s new season starts from November 1st each year. Straw becomes available after the grain is harvested – generally in December/January.

Oaten hay is an annual plant and is only cut once per year.

Bale sizes vary between production sites, as outlined in the below table.

Ron Ralston Photography

Gilmac is a reliable and dependable company that has been in operation for over 30 years. We have the largest storage and pressing capacity of any Australian exporter and purchase large amounts of product from growers each season. A family-owned business, Gilmac proudly supports local Australian farmers. All our products are 100% Australian grown and processed. We value relationships with growers and customers alike, providing a quality customer experience from the field to the feedlot.

We purchase oat, wheat and barley hay and straw, as well as lupin grain.

We have long-term relationships with many farmers and growers in each area and each year we make a contract with them to supply hay from their property. If you are interested in supplying products for Gilmac, please contact your closest site.

We operate processing and storage facilities in Western Australia, South Australia and Victoria.

Crops are inspected at three stages. The first inspection takes place shortly after seeding. At this stage the crop is very small, so the primary objective is to ensure that the paddock is as free as possible from potential contamination such as sticks, stones and animal material. The second inspection takes place prior to cutting. Crop with weed or disease problems is rejected. Clean, healthy crops are checked for maturity prior to commencement of harvest. Final inspection takes place after baling. Core samples are taken from a minimum 15% of all bales in the paddock. The sampling procedure ensures that hay is taken from a cross-section of the bale, not just the surface, so that it is truly representative. The core sample is used for three purposes: ARGT testing, nutritional analysis and visual assessment.

Gilmac requires farmers to provide a record of any chemicals used for several years. We record specific information regarding application rates and withholding periods. This is done to ensure confidence that our hay is safe for livestock consumption.