Good weather over the past week allowed a lot of progress in baling up straw, over most of the country. There remains some straw lying on the ground but at this stage it’s a small proportion of the total crop.

Likewise, a lot of fields were cleared of bales with straw either sold, and drawn away, or else put in the growers’ sheds. The amount of straw left for sale in fields has reduced.

Prices

Prices from the field remain at €14 to €16 per 4x4ft round barley bale in intensive cereal-growing areas and about €20 in Donegal and other areas where tillage is less common.

Oaten straw bales are usually €1 or €2 less each and wheat straw bales €1 or €2 less again.

Growers who have put straw in sheds to sell later will be hoping for a rise in prices as winter comes in – but report that there’s no lift yet.

Steady supply

There is still a portion of the beans crop to be harvested yet and the straw could be an option for bedding where cereal straw is scarce.

Usually a grower will chop unless there’s a customer for the straw. Livestock farmers have used it successfully as a base layer under cereal straw.

Growers who have put straw in sheds to sell later will be hoping for a rise in prices as winter comes in – but report that there’s no lift yet

Wheat straw also continues to be baled up and ricked for making mushroom compost. Composters have enough carryover of 2019 straw to feed their operations until about December.

The expectation is therefore that, even with the reduced yields of 2020, they will have enough straw for their needs until harvest 2021 and won’t have to import much, if any.

That’s no doubt just as well given that the UK is the nearest source and the ongoing Brexit uncertainty.

Read more

Rising demand lifts straw trade

Harvest complete, planting soon to start