The worst fears for the straw market have been confirmed, as supply has dried up.

While much straw remains on the ground, it has almost all been spoken for, and no straw is available to buy.

Many farmers are worried that the straw orders they placed won’t be filled as straw rots and melts in the fields.

Price is not even an issue – there’s just no straw available, even in Wexford and Carlow, usually the last places to sell their straw.

The only people holding banks of straw now are agents, who are likely to hold stocks until after Christmas.

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