8:00am Saturday 30th January 2010
THE extra demand for fodder to feed livestock through the recent Arctic freeze brought both good and bad news for farmers.
For those with animals to feed, prices shot up while for those selling, the fodder was a winter silver lining.
Brightwells report the “best ever” trade at its 44th annual sale of winter fodder in Hereford.
The cold snowy weather meant more hay and straw had been used than in mild winters in recent years, said auctioneer Michael Evans, of Brightwells.
The sale dealt with 3,500 tonnes of fodder situated on 60 farms in Hereford, Worcester, Gloucester and Monmouth and there was strong interest throughout, said Mr Evans.
Hay and straw were in greatest demand, all bale sizes selling well, with small bales of better meadow hay making from £2.50 to £3.36, second quaity from £1.50 to £2.10, bigger square baled hay from £12 to £24 and 1,210 bales of meadow hay at £30. Round bales of hay ranged from £8 to £16.50.
Small bales of barley straw made from £1.60 to £1.96, wheat from £1.24 to £1.86, bigger square bales of wheat and barley straw from £11.20 to £18.25 with 1,210 bales of barley straw from £18.20 to £26.67. Oat straw was all sold with round bales at £11.50 and big squares from £13.80 to £16.80.
Round bales of threshed ryegrass made £6.75 to £8.20. Rapehaulm went from £6 a bale with Heston at £14.85. Silage and haylage met a more selective trade depending on location, topping at £19 a bale but generally £9 to £15. Fodder beet sold at £21 a tonne.
Brightwells’ next fodder sale is in Leominster on Friday, February 26.
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