Farmers have been very busy this week taking advantage of the fine weather for silage and hay-making. Weather conditions were ideal earlier this week for hay-making and quality is expected to be good.

There is a surge in supply of both hay and silage stock. This is made up of both increased new-season supplies and unsold stocks from last year. Demand is reportedly slow so far, but sellers expect the trade to improve as the summer progresses.

The asking price for 4x4 round bales of hay is €25/bale, with prices ranging from €20 to €30/bale. Although most sellers were holding out for a higher price, lower prices of €20 to €22/bale were also seen where sellers were keen to move bales directly from the field.

Farmers with hay made from top-quality reseeded pastures are advertising €24 to €26/bale. Some organic farmers have marketed their hay as fertiliser-free and have an asking price of €30/bale.

One Wexford farmer busy making hay this week told the Irish Farmers Journal that it is a little too early to gauge the trade because the main buyers in his area will not be in the market for hay until later in the season.

Movement of silage is also proving to be challenging in recent weeks. Again, strong supplies are weakening demand. There are also good supplies of last year’s silage, which is being carried over for sale this year.

Sellers commented that initial asking prices of €25/bale have been difficult to negotiate and many have had to reduce expectations to seal deals. However, these higher prices are still being secured for top-quality silage with high DMD values.

Prices of €18 to €20/bale is being paid for average-quality silage. Some sellers keen to offload silage are now settling for lower prices.

A number of farmers are selling meadow ready to be mowed in an effort to reduce their own costs. Forward selling also helps to ensure there is a customer for the grass and the buyer should have a better insight and control of the fodder quality. Asking prices range from €65 to €100/acre, with some farmers asking up to €130/acre for recently reseeded swards.

All farmers buying fodder should shop around, because there is a variation in price and quality out there. Quality should be taken into account, depending on the nutrition requirements of the livestock it is destined for. All prices quoted exclude delivery charges.