What farmers have paid for straw this autumn is clearly set out in our online straw poll, carried out over the last week. Over 400 farmers from across the country responded with prices for barley, wheat and oat straw.

With the markets suppressed due to surplus straw and poor demand, prices for the different types of straw were closer than normal.

Barley straw was making the most, with wheat and oat straw trading at similar prices this year. The range of prices varies between the different counties.

In Wexford, prices for 4x4 bales off the field were as low as €6/bale. The prices in other surplus straw counties started at €7, with many farmers getting up to €10/bale.

The further west and southwest you go, the more prices increased. In Kerry, farmers reported paying €10 to €16 for 4x4 bales delivered, with Mayo farmers paying €12 to €16/bale. It is clear that transport is adding €3 to €6/bale, depending on the draw.

The prices for 8x4x3 bales follow similar lines. They traded for €12 to €14 off the field throughout the harvest, with up to €16/bale paid off the field in counties such as Westmeath and Offaly.

Given that there can be twice the weight in an 8x4x3 bale (380kg to 420kg) versus a 4x4 bale (140kg to 180kg), they are better value on a weight basis.

However, there can be huge variation in both types of bales. The 8x4x3 bales are becoming more popular due to the increased number that can fit on a load for transport. They are being bought at €20 to €22/bale delivered in many of the western counties.

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Map

We also examined the prices of 8x4x4 and 7x3x2 bales. The individual county prices for these are shown in an interactive map online at www.farmersjournal.ie.

Prices for 8x4x4 went as low as €20/bale in Cork, Wexford and Louth off the field. In most other counties where prices were given, they made €25 to €27 off the field and €35 to €36 was the highest delivered prices paid by farmers. There is normally over 500kg of straw in an 8x4x4 bale.

The 7x3x2 bales normally have the same straw as 4x4 bales (140kg to 180kg), but this can vary depending on baler and driver. They sold for slightly more off the field, moving at €8 to €9/bale in the surplus counties. They were being purchased at €13 to €15/bale in western counties, which is less than 4x4 bales due to the lower cost of transport.