Huge regional variability seen in early standing straw sales
© Tim Scrivener Early standing straw sales have shown huge variability, with average prices spiking sharply in some regions, but only marginally up in others. This shows buyers are only prepared to pay top money for quality crops in the right location.
Somerset-based Greenslade Taylor Hunt sold more than 3,100 acres of straw through online auctions held over two evenings at the start of the month and saw average prices surge compared with last year.
Auctioneer Tom Mellor said despite the weight of straw crops looking lighter than previous years, prices were much higher.
See also: Higher straw prices expected for harvest 2020
“The averages realised are nearly 60% higher than last year, which, taking into account some vendors suggested their crops were 25% lighter this season, the straw crop value has jumped considerably on the year.”
Their sale covering east of Taunton saw an average price of £118/acre for winter barley, £97/acre for winter wheat and £74/acre for spring barley and winter oats.
However, the west of Taunton sale achieved an average price of £66/acre for winter barley, £89/acre for winter wheat and £63/acre for winter oats.
Top prices paid were £148/acre for winter barley, £132/acre for winter wheat, £94/acre for winter oats and £76/acre for oilseed rape.
Wide range of prices in Dorset and Hampshire
Mark Northcott of Symonds and Sampson said trade had been solid at its sale of 6,500 acres covering an area starting from Dorset and moving across to Andover in Hampshire, although prices were not as dear as some had predicted.
Overall, average prices were up by about 12-25% on the previous year’s levels, with winter barley averaging £87/acre (£75/acre in 2019) and winter wheat £64/acre (£52 in 2019).
But the range in prices was extremely wide, with winter barley selling from £58-£102/acre, winter wheat from £31-£82/acre and spring barley from £38-£70/acre.
“It varies tremendously from area to area. In a heavy stock area, it is going to be dearer than if you travel further east,” he said.
“The crops would also vary a lot this year, so there was also more variety in the density and quality of crop.”
Less for sale in Shropshire
Ben Baggott, director with Barbers at Market Drayton Market in Shropshire, said the 650 acres sold at its sale on 2 July was only half the acreage it would normally expect to have available.
But despite this shortfall, trade was not as buoyant as everyone had been expecting.
“Everyone had talked the straw [to be] very dear, but it was probably about £8-£10/acre more, on average.”
Wheat averaged £73/acre and barley was £67/acre, with only very good crops making £80-£90/acre.
Adrian Cannon of Tayler and Fletcher said its sale of 500 acres at Shipston on Stour in Warwickshire on 1 July resulted in “fair prices”, with the season significantly affecting yields.
Winter wheat sold for an average of £42/acre, winter barley for £46/acre and spring barley for £33/acre.
“The yields of straw are highly variable given the season, with late planted crops thin in the bottom and limited in yields the prices fairly reflected it.”
