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The harvest of winter barley is under way in the Republic of Ireland and early price reports on straw prices moving north indicate that straw will be an expensive commodity this year. Prices ranging from a base of €20 rising to €30 for a 4x4 round bale of barley straw sold directly from the field have been reported by tillage farmers in the midlands of Ireland.
Some growers are insisting on early payment from new customers, whereas other farmers dealing with their usual client base are happy to wait until later in the year for payment.
This makes round bales worth £16 to £24 before transport, which will add another £2 to £4 per bale depending on the area of NI straw is being delivered to.
Last year, the equivalent prices ranged from £12 to £16 per bale before transport.
At the outlined prices, winter barley straw is worth approximately €120/t to €180/t based on a 160kg round bale, which converts to a sterling equivalent of £105/t to £158/t.
Sales of large square bales are limited, but at the outlined prices, this would put an 8x4x4 bale weighing 650kg at €105 to €117 before factoring in transport costs, or the sterling equivalent of £92 to £103.
Meanwhile, cereal growers in Co Down report that winter crops are ripening fast but that moisture levels are still too high to start harvesting.
It is expected that straw will be £17 to £20 for 4x4 round bales ex field, rising to £22 ex field for new customers. Strong demand is driving straw prices and indications are that there is unlikely to be any easement in prices over the coming weeks as orders are running ahead of supplies.
Others report that they have set higher prices to compensate for lower yields of straw and grain in spring cereals.
With the recent drought leading many farmers to start feeding 2018 silage reserves to cattle, there is growing demand for straw and hay to stretch limited supply. Reports of €35 per bale are common for 4x4 round bales of hay.
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