900 round hay bales sell for average of €22/bale

An auction of almost 900 bales held on-farm in Banogue, Co Wexford, recorded an average price of approximately €22/bale.

David Quinn of Quinn Property told the Irish Farmers Journal that prices ranged from €20 to €24/bale, with 4x4 round bales of hay selling in batches of upwards of 50 bales.

Interest was reported as firm, with up to 30 potential buyers in attendance.

As such, the vendor of the hay increased the entry of bales from the initial figure of 600 to include the complete offering of just shy of 900.

Drought boosts demand

David said that drought conditions and a reduction in grass supplies boosted demand, but also commented that with high feed availability in the market, a price of €22/bale was a positive outcome, especially given that there was almost 300 additional bales of hay sold.

David explained that the hay was being sold ahead of the farm being auctioned on Friday 14 August.

The 106-acre farm is being offered in its entirety and comes with a derelict house and a tidy farmyard.

Extensive work has taken place in recent years in installing farm roadways, fencing and land improvements.