There was a hive of activity last weekend and at the start of this week as farmers moved to take advantage of the fine weather to harvest the first of winter tillage crops. With wet weather forecast (and arriving on Wednesday), farmers also didn’t delay in getting straw baled.

While straw is often considered to be a secondary output in the tillage sector, for many farmers it is an essential sale to cover some of the costs that cannot be paid by grain sales.

When purchasing straw, there are a number of factors that need to be considered, including the size of the bale itself. Size is a driver of weight and bales per tonne, which in turn has an influence on the price per unit.

Here are the five main sizes of bales: small square bale, 4x4, 8x2x2, 8x4x3, and 8x4x4.

For a small square bale, the weight ranges in the region of 10kg to 18kg, with the average bale weighing 14kg. At an average of 14kg per bale, this will give up to 71 bales/t. With an estimated value of €1.50 per bale, the price per tonne would be €107.

Moving on to a 4x4 bale, the weight varies from 120kg to 200kg, with the average at 150kg. This density leads to a lower 6.7 bales/tonne. The value of the average 4x4 bale is estimated to fall in the region of €14/bale which would give an overall total of €93/t.

For an 8x2x2, the weight varies very little from a 4x4. The average weight for the bale is 180kg, with a range between 150kg and 200kg, depending on preference.

In contrast with the 4x4, the 8x2x2 will cost more to bale at €18. Giving 5.6 bales to the tonne, a price of €100/t can be expected.

Moving up to an 8x4x3 bale of straw, though the average weight is quite heavy at 400kg, a range can be seen within the region of 380kg to 420kg. This weight average is expected to give 2.5 bales/t. With a price upwards of €25 per bale, a buyer can expect to pay €62.5/t for the straw.

The largest size is an 8x4x4 bale of straw. With an average weight of 560kg per bale, a yield of 1.8 bales/t and a cost of €33, sellers can expect a price of €58.9/t.

With reference to haulage, it may be worth noting that the 8x4x3 and the 8x4x4 are the most economical in the view that every cubic metre on the trailer is used, when compared with a round bale.

However, with an 8x4x4 bale load stacked three high, problems may be encountered due to road restrictions such as bridge height.

Alison Sinnott