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Effects of drought during summer 2022 are still having an impact at farm level, with reports of farmers in the south and east of NI being short on fodder.
Sales of silage have increased in recent weeks, with prices for good-quality pit silage ranging from £35 to £50/t. Reports indicate round bale silage making £30 for good quality, higher dry matter forage. Prices of £20 to £25 have been reported for bales with lower dry matter and average feed value.
Demand for straw remains extremely low, despite spring calving and lambing getting underway across the country.
As volumes changing hands are small, prices are hard to come by. But where deals have been done, the general trend shows prices similar to harvest time. Round bales of barley straw stored in sheds are making £18 to £20, with £2 to £3 less for straw stored outdoors. Wheat straw is making £3 to £4 per bale less than barley straw. Large square 8x4x3 bales of wheat and barley straw are at £35 to £45, with price dependent on weight and quality.
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