STANDING STRAW auctions have seen some prices more than double those achieved last harvest, continuing a trend started by earlier sales in the south-west.

Bernie Hutchinson, auctioneer with Market Drayton, Shropshire-based Barbers said the firm’s annual collective sale of over 2000 acres had witnessed a blistering trade.

“Our first lot of winter barley straw was bid to £54/acre and remained brisk right to the last lot,” he said.

Winter wheat drawn from 15 farms across the north of the county averaged £32/acre, up £18/acre and more than doubling last year’s figure.

Winter barley levelled at £42/acre, up £21 on the year.