A MIXED summer and harvest in this country and indeed on the continent, coupled with additional bio-mass power stations, have created a shortage of all types of straw which look set to reach record prices as the season progresses.

Add to that a late harvest in many areas, which meant that much of the straw that would normally be baled ended up being chopped to ensure the next year's crop is sown on time, and supplies of straw are extremely scarce.

"Barley straw and wheat straw are about £20 per tonne up on the year," Perthshire fodder merchant, Stanley Johnston, told The Scottish Farmer.

"I've had enquires from France, Belgium, Africa, Orkney and Shetland and the south of England, all looking for straw. There seems to be a worldwide shortage of it," he said adding that supplies are lower than normal due to the fact that only two-third's of the UK's normal straw crop was harvested following the mixed weather in the back end.

"The situation is worse this year purely because most people's sheds are full of straw, but this year, they're empty. Everyone wants barley straw but it is so difficult to find, and even wheat straw is hard to come by. Both types are trading at about £65 per tonne but it depends where you are," added Mr Johnston.

Oilseed rape straw supplies are virtually non-existent too due to the increased demands of bio-mass power stations, which are also eating up fodder beet supplies. Feed turnips and potatoes are also hard to come by, he said.

Further south, Philip Judge, who regularly exports to the continent and sells to Scotland, has also experienced the increased demand for straw.

"They had a really bad harvest in Germany, so we have seen strong export demand in Holland in particular, and in Ireland. Barley straw at this time of year at £90-£95 per tonne delivered is the dearest I have seen it for a good number of years and wheat straw is much the same."

Mr Judge, who regularly sells into Ayrshire and Scotland's Central Belt, and has this year seen increased demand from the Borders, Isley, Mull and Oban, added that good quality sheep hay is also difficult to source due to the late harvest in the south.

"Top quality sheep hay is valued at £120-£130 per tonne delivered. It's been at that price since it was baled as most people were a good six weeks late at getting their hay, so the quality is not as good. There is however, more good cattle hay about and at £90-£100 per tonne delivered is better value than barley straw for feeding.

"As fodder merchants we like consistent supplies to buy and sell every year, and with the shortages this year, all we can hope for is an early spring," he said.

However, straw and hay sold at public auction, does appear to be a lot cheaper, with the last sale at Aberdeen and Northern Marts' Thainstone centre, mid December, witnessing barley straw selling to £10 per bale to average £9.60, with hay and silage trading at £11 and £14 per bale respectively.