Grasskeep trade remains patchy
By FWi staff
GRASSKEEP values continue to show patchy trade.
Increases in grazing being offered in some areas have undermined the price for poorer pasture, but the better lots are still commanding over 100/acre.
Competition in some parts of the south-west saw eager bidding at Stags collective grasskeep auction recently, reports Michael Powell.
In keenly sought-after areas, averages were up around the 100/acre mark, showing increases of between 17%-24%.
Unfertilised ground was let at 94/acre, and that to which an initial dressing had been applied at 102/acre.
More modest bids secured grasskeep in the Midlands when Bagshaws auctioned 1000 acres at its annual grass eating auction at Uttoxeter market.
Prices were mainly between 50-82/acre, although a top bid of 102/acre was taken for a sought-after 27-acre patch.
Stark reality has hit some Scottish vendors faced with a number of dairy producers moving away from production.
Increases in lettings have cut up to 35/acre off poorer pasture as better ground becomes available, says Tom Robertson of James Craig Ltd.
Overall, the most recent auction saw averages down to 56/acre.