There was a lift in demand for straw this week, but prices remain low.

Tillage farmers report that demand for barley straw is picking up this week after the change in weather. With plenty of straw available, prices have not changed too much.

In the midlands, prices for 4x4 bales out of sheds are making anywhere between €9 to €12/bale. Oaten straw is around the same price, as many farmers are using it to mix into feed.

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In the southeast, prices for 4x4 bales remain as low as €7 to €8/bale, even from the shed. Further west and south, farmers are asking up to €10/bale out of the shed. In the west, transport costs are seeing the price delivered climb to €14 to €18/bale, with farmers still preferring to buy part-loads.

The price for 8x4x3 bales is reaching €13 to €18 out of sheds in the south. Given that there can be twice the weight in an 8x4x3 bale (380kg to 420kg) versus a 4x4 bale (140kg to 180kg), they are better value on a weight basis. However, there can be huge variation in both types of bales.

The 8x4x3 bales are becoming more popular due to the increased number that can fit on a load for transport. They are being bought at €20 to €22/bale delivered in many of the western counties. Prices for 8x4x4s are ranging from €15 to €25 out of sheds.

Hay is trading at €18 to €20/bale for cattle hay, with good horse hay making up to €30/bale (4x4). There is very little demand for silage bales, which are trading at €18 to €20/bale – less in some cases.

Beet and maize continues to be harvested. There is good demand from winter finishers and also winter milk dairy herds. Fodder and sugar beet is being offered from €30 to €35/t in the field. Farmers pricing at €35/t are finding it hard to move.

Washed beet can be bought locally for up to €44/t and in some cases it is being chopped before delivery.

Last year’s maize is being sold out of pits for €60/t, with this year’s crops being offered at €50/t harvested from the field by some growers. It is important to identify the level of energy in the crops to identify value.

Straight prices

There is a wide variation of straight prices across the country, with the best deals being done for larger volumes of bulk collected.

Not surprisingly, rolled barley is good value, available at €170 to €180/t. Rolled wheat is being priced at €10/t higher – €180 to €190/t. Maize meal, which was selling for less than native cereals last year, is more expensive at €205 to €215/t.

Soya hulls are the cheapest straight and can be bought as low as €150/t to €160/t around the country.

Soyabean meal is available to be collected at €376 to €390/t – less than last year. Rapeseed meal, also a higher protein feed, is making €280/t.

Citrus pulp is hard to source at present, but beet pulp is on offer for €200 to €215/t. Wheat distillers are making €275 to €280/t and maize distillers are making €230 to €240/t. Molasses is costing €210 to €224/t. On finished coarse rations, the prices vary from €225 to €270/t, with the highest prices in the northeast. Dairy rations are quoted from €240/t to €285/t.