In this first of a two part series of Hay Matters, Steve Page speaks with Wade Alexander from Mundubbera, Queensland - the winner of the Queensland Visual Lucerne Hay Award and the National Dual Visual Award.

Wade shares his journey from growing up on a poultry farm to becoming a lucerne hay producer. After floods devastated his family’s property in 2013, Wade rebuilt with a new focus on irrigation and hay production, leaning on his engineering background to master the machinery and systems needed to survive.

Key Topics Covered:

• Wade’s shift from poultry and cattle to lucerne hay
• The role of irrigation bores and Mundubbera’s unique conditions
• Machinery choices: from round balers to big square bales
• Building a customer base and working with Feed Central
• Weather challenges in Queensland and how Wade manages risk in hay production
• Using inoculants and moisture management to maintain hay quality
• The importance of off-farm income and contracting to spread financial risk
• Forward planning, financial management, and why storage doesn’t always equal “money in the bank”
• Wade’s mindset on risk, resilience, and what keeps him motivated each morning

Why Listen?

This episode is full of practical insights for farmers navigating hay production and trade - from managing machinery and weather challenges to making financial decisions that reduce risk. Wade’s story is a testament to resilience, innovation, and the value of producing quality hay that customers can trust.

Next Episode (Part 2): Wade will share how he manages disasters, his lucerne planting cycle, and future plans for his farming operation.