Demand cools for hay and straw

By Farmers Weekly staff

STRONG demand for barley straw and hay got the winter produce sales off to fair start, but trade has eased markedly, say auctioneers.

Over 5000t was entered at Tayler & Fletchers Stow-on-the-Wold venue and sold well with 90% clearance of straw and 60% of hay lots, reports auctioneer Graham Baddeley.

The hay entries, featuring 80,000 small bales met a better than anticipated trade to with seed hay averaging £108/t and meadow hay £68/t.

Barley and oat straw also sold well, with large amounts of bright, clean supplies averaging over £50/t.

“Wheat, on the other hand, showed signs of weathering and lacked colour and appeal,” said Mr Baddeley. It averaged £42/t.

A few days later it was a indifferent market as Dreweatt Neate offered 3500t at Newbury. Prices and lots were similar, but fewer loads found buyers.

“Other sales may have affected trade, but also the fact that cattle and sheep have been kept out longer this season may have taken the edge off demand,” commented auctioneer Chris Boreham.

Again, quality dogged wheat straw sales with quality lots commanding a premium.

Also, trade for farm hay was patchy with many lots remaining unsold, particularly if vendors were over optimistic in their expectations, he added.

This week saw 1000t offered at Hertford. Speaking before the sale (Wed), Brian Crozier of Croziers said: “Dealers dont sound optimistic. Barley is a good trade, but hay over £1/small bale will be hard to sell. Im not too hopeful.”