Slight rise in straw demand
The good weather has helped tillage farmers bale up the last of the straw rather than chop it this week. It has also kept a lid on prices.
Many sellers are reporting that the majority of the straw being moved is to repeat customers who come back year after year. Some sellers are happy to give one month’s credit where they have been dealing with farmers in the past.
An online survey currently being carried out on www.farmersjournal.ie on straw prices is showing a clear difference between prices paid off the field in surplus areas versus delivered prices in the west and southwest. 4x4 bales of barley straw continue to sell at €8 to €10/bale off the field, although they have been offered as low as €7 in Waterford and Wexford. Wheaten straw is selling for €7 to €9/bale. 8x4x3 bales of barley straw are selling at €15 to €17.
8x4x3 barley straw is selling from €12 off the field to €22/bale delivered. 8x4x4 bales are being sold from €22 to €30/bale, although a few prices of up to €35/bale delivered in Donegal have been recorded, obviously when the draw is long. Bales of 7x3x2 are making from €8 each off the field up to €15 delivered into Kerry.
Transport is adding €5 to €7 on to round bale prices and €3 to €6 on to larger square bale prices, depending on the length of the draw.
Hay
The trade for hay is still poor, with bales still in the field bought for as low as €15/bale. Good-quality June hay continues to sell well, as the quantity of poorer quality hay coming on to the market increases and the summer comes to a close. Horse hay is selling at up to €25 and lower-quality bales from older meadows sell at €17. Small square bales sell from €2.50 to €3.
Silage
As the silage season starts to slow down, bales continue to sell at €15 to €18/bale, with poorer-quality bales lower.
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