High demand for straw has seen the price remain high, with 4×4 round bales selling between €8-18/bale depending on location.

The higher demand for straw has seen prices improve by €2-3/bale in some locations compared to the same time last year.

Poor weather conditions during the harvest of later crops has also seen a lot of straw yet to baled and this has limited the availability of quality feed straw available on the market.

Straw prices vary by €10/bale

According to straw prices on Donedeal, the price of a 4×4 round bale can vary by as much as €8/bale, while there is also significant price variation depending on location.

Meanwhile, prices on Donedeal indicate that farmers in the west can expect to pay a little more to secure straw, with farmers in Co. Galway paying between €15-18/bale.

Straw prices are also higher in Ulster and farmers in Co. Down and Co. Tyrone can expect to pay between €12-16/bale.

This time last year, straw prices in the Munster region were as low as €8/bale, but prices have increased this year with bales in Co. Tipperary and Co. Limerick being advertised at €10/bale and €12/bale respectively.

Farmers looking to purchase the larger 8x4x3 bales will pay between €17-25, with Co. Down proving to be the cheapest location to by these bales.