Selling straw and hay on a per bale basis does not convey to farmer customers the full details of what they are actually buying.
This is the view of Co. Derry-based merchant, Robert Miller who told Agriland: “Straw and hay must be sold on a weight basis. Only then will farmers know exactly what they are buying.”
The last number of years has seen the Moneymore man develop a very significant straw and hay merchanting business, delivering to customers across Northern Ireland.
“It started out very much as a service to farmers in my area,” he explained.
“And, gradually, demand started to grow, very much on a word-of-mouth basis.”
Today, Robert is importing large quantities of straw and hay from England. The straw comes from Essex while the hay is made in Kent.
“I buy the produce exclusively on a weight basis. Each 8x4x3 bale is guaranteed to weigh 500kg,” he confirmed.
“I am then able to sell [it] to customers on the same basis.”
Importer
Where straw is concerned, the Co. Derry merchant imports a mix of barley, wheat and oat options.
“There is a growing demand for high quality barley and wheat straw at the present time,” he commented.
“Livestock farmers are very conscious that stocks of silage and other home-grown winter forages could be tight enough over the coming months.
“In response to this, dairy and beef farmers are keen to include wheat straw in the TMRs they are making right now, so as to retain stocks of their own silages for as long as possible into the winter.
There is a year-round demand for high quality hay within the equestrian sector. This market prefers forages that have been in store for at least 12 months,” he added.
Currently, Robert is delivering 8x4x3 bales of hay and straw on farm across Northern Ireland at a unit price of £100.
“The quality of the straw and hay available in England at the present time is excellent,” he said.
“And this is particularly the case where spring barley and winter wheat are concerned.
“Crops were harvested during a prolonged period of decent weather. As a consequence, the straw is in good condition.
“The market for high quality straw continues to grow in Northern Ireland. I can hardly keep up with demand at the present time.
“I buy-in the straw on a weight basis and sell-on to my customers on the same basis. This is the fairest way of doing business.”
