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There will be no repeat of last winter’s fodder shortage this year, it appears.
Heavier than average meadows mean that huge numbers of bales of hay and silage were made in recent weeks. Some is now safely in sheds and awaiting winter.
However, farmers planning to sell hay straight from the field are meeting a difficult trade and having to adjust price expectations downwards.
Variable
The patchy weather in early July means hay quality is more variable than last year.
As a result, selling prices are varying from about €13 to over €35 per bale.
The higher of these prices is for guaranteed top-quality material for horses. The lower end is for plainer material which must be sold straight from the field because the farmer has no shed space.
Wrapping hay
An option for these sellers is to wrap the hay, stack it outside and hope for better prices next winter.
One Leinster contractor said he wraps hay and straw bales every year for farmers who don’t have sheds.
Hay bales would get anywhere between 12 and 16 layers of film, depending on how long it’s to be kept.
At 16 layers, a roll of plastic will cover 35 bales. If a roll is bought for €80 then the cost of film is €2.30 per bale.
Charge
The contractor charge for wrapping is €1 to €1.50 per bale or €3 each to wrap and stack.
So a total would be about €4 to wrap bales or over €5 to have it wrapped and stacked in a nearby. Prices vary and you shop around at your own risk.
Hay bales contain a lot of air and therefore must be dry before wrapping. If lying a few weeks, they should be turned to dry out the bottom.
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