Not surprisingly, the price of straw tends to be lower in the intensive tillage areas where local demand is saturated. Straw price is highest in the west due to transport cost. Both supply and demand are slow in Donegal due to poor weather preventing baling.

Straw prices in the midlands are averaging €9-€11 for 4x4 round bales with 8x4x3 at €22/23. In Connacht, demand seems to be lively, with lorry loads of straw travelling west in recent weeks compared to other years. Some farmers feel prices will increase later in the season. Farmers seem to be buying that bit more now because of the scarcity of hay across the country.

There has been a lot of speculation that there will be greater demand for chopped barley, oat and wheaten straw this year for feeding purposes. Delivery costs to the west would be €9-11. However, it depends how far west it has to go.

In Louth, 8x4x4 bales are averaging €25, with 8x4x3 getting €20 and chopped 8x4x3 bales at €26.

Fields are being cleared and farmers are positive that straw will be sold. Again the lack of hay due to the poor weather is a reassuring factor for farmers that straw will sell.

There was a lot of straw moved in Cork in recent weeks with an occasional lull as potential buyers saved second-cut silage. The straw price in Cork seems to be back to normal after the previous two to three poor years for prices. In north Cork, €12 is the going rate for 4x4 round bales.

In Donegal, €14-€15 for 4x4 round bales is the going price for barley straw. There is still a lot of winter barley to be cut in the country and much of what is cut is still out in fields. The weather is difficult further north for both grain and straw harvesting. Crops are now overripe and losses likely.

Straw demand

Demand for straw is strong in Tipperary. The going rate for 4x4 round bales is €12 and €20 for 8x4x3 square bales. Sales of big square bales has mostly been local but there are a lot going west also.

In Kildare, 8x4x3 bales are selling for €22 and chopped 8x4x3 for €28. Dealers in Northern Ireland and the west are slow to pay high prices.

In recent years it would seem that the demand for chopped straw has been talked up and it is likely to be in demand for feeding in particular. Chopped bales cost more due to the energy required to make them.

Early indications suggest that wheaten straw is not bulking as well as in previous years and this may hit supply. However, the mushroom industry is not buying straw at the moment but could still need straw later in the year.

For 4x4 round bales, the going rate would appear to be €10 in Kildare, Wexford, Wicklow, Cork and Carlow; €11-€12 per bale in Louth and Tipperary and as high as €14 in Westmeath and Donegal.