Grain farmers are asking for prices in the region of €20 for a 4 x 4 straw bale.

Late planting and stunted growth means straw yield forecasts for spring crops are well down. This comes on the back of reduced acreage and empty straw sheds. Regular customers will have secured agreements at lower prices.

While winter crops are looking well, many spring-sown crops have suffered from late sowing and dry soil. Overall cereal area is expected to be down because of the swing to fodder crops.

Compounding the issue is the fact that 20% of the straw produced last year could not be saved due to poor weather at harvest, so stocks are low.

“People are looking for 20% more [straw] and they’re being told ‘no, you’ll have to take 25% less’ because we won’t have it,” according to Cork tillage farmer James Hegarty.

Importing straw is a concern due to the risk of problems such as blackgrass coming with it. Similar weather issues in the UK mean straw demand there is also strong, with comparable prices being quoted, plus transport. If the annual demand remains at 6m 4 x 4 bales (or equivalent), the shortage compared with demand could be over 1m bales.

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Straw shortage for next winter of almost one million bales