CONTRARY to popular opinion that straw prices look set to reach record levels this year, the addition of 2000+ acres of straw to bale that would normally be chopped, should help to appease the situation.

That was the welcoming news from Graeme Bruce, managing director of Ringlink Scotland who said that while the first 4 x 4 winter barley straw bales are currently trading at £10 per bale in the bout, which is up 55-60% on the year, values are likely to slip as the season progresses and more comes on the market.

"If we get the winter barley straw yields, prices are far from a disaster as I expect as much if not a bit more straw to be available to bale this year," said Mr Bruce.

"We have as asked our members to take a holiday from chopping straw this year and to be supportive of our other farmers and we already have one farmer who has promised 1000acres to bale with another two farmers in the Laurencekirk area with more to bale."

Further south, Craig Wilson auctioneer, Willie Hamilton, told The Scottish Farmer, their sale of 536acres straw in the swath at Ayr on Tuesday, attracted an increased number of buyers than usual, with winter wheat straw selling to £136 per acre to average £128.58. This compares to last year's top price of £127.

However, spring cereals straw is well up on 2017 levels, with spring wheat selling to £100 per acre to average the same and barley to £117 to average £110.83.

"Last year, we could hardly give spring barley straw away," said Mr Hamilton.

At Carlisle, on Monday, Harrison and Hetherington's sale of crop saw both hay and barley straw sell to £130 per tonne. At the same sale last year, barley straw was making £87 per tonne.