As it becomes increasingly difficult to source straw in the west, farmers have turned to finding alternatives.

One such alternative is peat and Harte Peat from Co Monaghan has launched a small peat bale which weighs about 24kg (100 litres). This is to cater for smaller farmers who require an alternative to small square bales for bedding calving pens etc. Ross McDonald from Harte Peat said: “We’ve seen our peatbed business double in the past six months, with a lot of enquires from the west. We are now supplying all Aurivo stores and Kerry Co-op stores in the west and southwest. The bales cost €4.75 ex delivery charges. Harte Peat also delivers bulk loads of peat for bedding animals costing from €24/m3 to €42/m3 depending on location.”