Farmers across all enterprises took advantage of fine weather over the weekend and at the start of the week to get stuck into harvesting crops again.

Tillage farmers have now gone a long way into harvesting winter crops, with conditions also allowing for straw to be baled in good condition. Demand is good, with some farmers preferring to buy early. The trade is concentrated mainly in the southeast and prices are consistent with last week’s reports.

Farmers can expect to pay in the region of €1.50 to €3 for small square bales. However, many merchants have since lowered their higher asking price in an effort to move bales off the farm. This was particularly the case early this week, with some producers keen to move straw with rain forecast midweek.

The upper price for 4x4 round bales appears to be €18 to €20 for both barley and wheaten straw, with prices highest in the west and northwest where supply is lower or bales are being transported.

Prices are also reported upwards of €14 elsewhere, with one Meath farmer willing to sell at €12 to keep his sheds free for his main spring crop in September. These prices are typically €2 up on last year, with the general range being €12 to €14 in the southeast.

Larger square bales have also been trading well in recent days, including the swift movement of a number of chopped 11% moisture 8x4x3 bales for €45 straight from the field.

Hay supplies have continued to strengthen. However, an increase in quality haylage has been seen, which may be due to a number of crops being destined for hay falling a few days short as a result of uncertainty in the weather.

Prices of €23 to €25 have been noted for top-quality produce that is suitable for horses with no fertiliser, while lower prices of €20 to €22, up €2 on last week, were also seen.

Haylage prices are trending in a similar manner to hay, with farmers asking for €22 to €25, but prices of €20 have also been reported where producers have been keen to sell now rather than test the market later in the year.

One farmer is targeting the equine market, selling his premium high-quality haylage, containing no weeds, for €28.

Silage supplies have lowered in recent days, which has led sellers to seek an increase on the average price seen in previous weeks (of €17 to €20) to €20 to €22 for high-quality second-cut silage. These are prices being asked, with reports suggesting that the volume of silage trading is relatively low with good reserves on some farms. Lower-quality produce is selling back to €15, while reports in some areas show farmers selling a crop for €5 to €7 per bale, with the purchaser making the bales himself.