minesadouble
Well-Known Member
Quite a bit of profiteering going on methinks! I am paying £25 for a large round bale, the same price as last year. It is excellent quality and that price includes delivery.
Hmmm, i don't think 'profiteering' is the right word. However I do think that initially, last Autumn, a lot of farmers, knowing that there was going to be a shortage did hike prices. However, being married to one such farmer I can give you his viewpoint. He has been saying for years that the profit in hay/haylage is ridiculously low, taking into account the hike in fuel prices and also the outlay to buy the machinery to make the stuff. Our tractor, baler and wrapper probably cost more to buy new than the current average house price!
We have people on the phone increasingly desperate for haylage who we are having to turn away. O.H is in negotiation to bring some out of Ireland at the moment. We are currently on £35.00 for a round bale (last year it was £20). It will go up again before the horses go out!!
With wheat prices double what they were last year I wouldn't be surprised to see more farmers turning grassland to Arable.
As a further downer I would be VERY surprised to see prices dropped much next year, regardless of weather conditions. I woud guess ours will stay around the £30/35 mark as most farmers will feel this better reflects the true value of forage production.