Straw delivery proves tricky

By FWi staff

ENSURING livestock farms have enough straw for bedding is testing the ingenuity of merchants and there are already concerns over what will happen to prices.

Farmers caught short of straw supplies might have to pay more, while the practical problem of deliveries also has to be overcome.

Chris Trower, secretary of the British Hay and Straw Merchants Association, says there is no sign of livestock farmers panic-buying or stockpiling, yet.

“Until this week demand was steadying up, with fewer inquiries than a month ago.”

Devon-based straw merchant John Dorse says the straw business is “not easy” and practical difficulties are increasing almost daily.

No straw merchant wants to travel through areas near foot-and-mouth centres, and no livestock farmers with surplus straw want to see merchants either.

But life must go on and ways have to be found to deliver straw around the country, he says.

“If you have farmers who want a load of straw a week, you have to find the supply.

“Theres been a high demand for straw all winter and so the main contractors are all getting low on stock. There is definitely not enough straw in the West Country to meet demand.”

On-farm straw sales are another casualty of the foot-and-mouth outbreak.

Simon Pallett of Dreweatt Neate, has postponed the last of their straw sales this season from 08 March until 22 March, subject to change yet again if circumstances demand.

He said merchants are very keen to buy straw, but are finding only arable farmers willing to release it. “And those arable farmers may be getting a bit of a premium for their straw.”