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New-season silage and hay is in demand as farmers aim to rebuild fodder supplies. Some are aiming to put a contingency supply in place as a rainy day measure to prevent a repeat of the tough 2017/18 winter and spring.
With almost no carryover of silage or hay stocks, sellers are in a better negotiating position than previous years, but recent good weather has steadied the trade.
This is evident with asking prices stronger compared with the same period last year.
Round 4x4 bales of silage are quoted at €25/bale on average. Asking prices are ranging from €18/bale to €27/bale.
These prices are €3 to €5/bale ahead of the same period last year, but the volume of fodder traded to date has been pretty low.
In the North, silage bales are selling from £18 to £23/bale (€20 to €26/bale) on average.
Good weather and strong growth has somewhat helped to keep a lid on prices currently.
There has been a great opportunity for farmers to cut surplus grass from grazing paddocks to boost fodder supplies on their own farms.
However, many farmers are commenting that yield is back considerably compared with previous years.
On the up side, quality is better due to almost perfect harvesting conditions.
Many will be gauging now if they will be able to conserve adequate supplies on their own farms or if they will need to look to the market to meet the winter fodder demand.
Hay
Haylage is quite common this season and is selling from €27/bale to €35/bale.
Asking prices are as high as €40/bale for top-quality haylage made from recently reseeded pastures.
The prolonged sunshine, lighter crops and reduced preparation costs meant hay was the obvious choice for many preparing to sell fodder this year.
Asking prices for round bales of hay are €30/bale on average and this ranges from €27 to €35/bale. Small square bales are ranging from €3 to €4 bale, with €3.50/bale most common. In the North, asking prices for round bales of hay are from £30 to £35/bale (€34 to €40/bale).
Meadow
The option of taking uncut meadow is attractive to some farmers.
Many feel they can be sure of the quality of the grass they are buying and it may suit farmers or contractors with their own silage outfit.
Prices advertised this year range from €150 to €200/acre. Prices can be as low as €120 to €140/acre for a field, but it is up to the person taking the meadow to fertilise it.
SHARING OPTIONS: