Standing straw prices down as buyers show caution

Standing straw prices are down on the year so far, as crops look impressive and buyers exercise caution.

West Country auctioneer Kivells has sold about 3,200 acres with lots returning about 10% less than in 2013.

Wheat averaged £60-70/acre with a top of £81/acre, while most barley was making £70-80/acre with the very best touching £100/acre.

Wholecrop was worth about £250-260/acre.

Auctioneer James Morrish said the number of buyers was similar to last year but they were being a little more restrained after the recent falls in cattle and sheep prices.

“Farmers are contemplating what is going to be cheapest for them, either buying a field of straw and then baling it or calling up for a lorry later,” he said.

“There is an abundance of fodder,” he said. “In this part of the country you could almost say oceans of it.

“Until a lot of these buyers have finished their silage and their hay they have not quite got into the need for straw.”

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Mark Northcott from Symonds & Sampson in Yeovil, Somerset, said the firm had sold about 7,700 acres so far.

Winter barley and winter wheat prices have been about a third lower on the year, averaging £52/acre and £41/acre respectively.

Spring barley has been slightly lower at £41/acre on average, while oilseed rape sold at about £20/acre.

“There are good yields, good crops out there and it was expected,” Mr Northcott said.

Herefordshire firm Sunderlands & Thompsons has sold about 5,000 acres and reported weakening prices with every sale.

Winter barley has made about £95/acre on average and a small lot of spring barley reached £130/acre.

Wheat was making £70/acre at the start of last week and fell to average £40-50/acre.

Oilseed rape made £20-25/acre on average.

Barbers sold 2,500 acres of standing straw in its annual sale at Market Drayton, Shropshire.

Wheat prices were similar to 2013 levels but barley was back nearly £25/acre.

Wheat sold at an average of £53/acre to a top of £70/acre, while barley averaged £46/acre.

Oilseed rape fetched £28/acre on average while oats averaged £35/acre.

Barbers senior partner Bernie Hutchinson said farmers were increasingly looking at alternative bedding like woodchips and mattresses, which took some of the focus off straw.

Cheshire-based auctioneer Wright Marshall has sold about 700 acres so far, reporting prices only slightly down on the year.

Standing barley has averaged £62-63/acre and sold to a top of £76/acre. The best wheat sold at £68/acre, with an average of £55/acre.