Straw and feed prices have dropped across Scotland this spring, indicating that farmers are confident about the weather. Four foot round bales sold for £14 a bale in the northeast in February and March, but the most recent sale at Thainstone saw bales going for around £11-£12.

Mild weather this winter has meant that overall, straw has been around £4 cheaper than last year. In Carlisle loads of square-baled wheat straw are going for £115/t, back from a high of £138 at the start of the year, and round bales of straw are selling for £26-£28 each. It is important to remember that demand from anaerobic digesters will help support the price.

Demand for hay, haylage and silage has fallen sharply across most of Scotland, however, good quality round haylage bales are going for £24 in Carlisle.

April can see significant snowfall, but the falling trade for straw and feed means that farmers must be optimistic as cattle courts start to empty.