Demand for fodder is split on a regional basis, with demand on the increase in the southwest, west and northeast of the country.

Colder, wetter weather has forced some farmers to re-house stock, while others in areas where cattle would be normally housed now are moving through fodder stocks rapidly. Silage is trading at between €15 and €20 for round bales. Hay sellers around the country told the Irish Farmers Journal that demand for fodder is next to non-existent in the east and southeast.

However, the sellers have had a number of calls from farmers in Cavan, Monaghan, Galway, Kerry and Limerick.

“I have had a lot of calls from farmers in the west in the last two weeks,” said one seller from Co Kildare. “But the problem is a lot of them don’t have the transport to come and collect it.”

Hay is selling for an average price of €20 per round bale but sellers have also reported a range of prices from €18 up to €28 excluding delivery.

Straw

As peak calving season approaches, farmers across the country are on the hunt for straw. Demand appears to be most acute in the west, but dairy and beef farmers all over the island are out looking for bedding and feeding.

Prices are ranging from €10 to €20 for 4x4 round bales and from €23 to €40 for big square 8x4x3 bales. These prices are for straw collected from the yard and do not include transport costs.

“There is huge demand for straw among dairy farmers in the northeast, and it’s as dear as hay at the moment. Before you could get it for as little as €10/bale. Now it’s double the price.”