Auctioneer John Read took to the rostrum at Newbury Rugby Club on Thursday 7th March for the final Hay and Straw sale of the season.

Buyers had travelled from the South West and Wales to attend the sale. Recent dry and warm weather has meant fodder and straw stocks have held up well and with spring looking like it’s on the horizon, buyers could afford to be selective.

John Read, associate partner, Carter Jonas, said: “There was good demand for barley straw, which averaged the equivalent of £88 per tonne to exceed its performance over recent years. Rob Snook of Urchfont near Devizes topped the sale at £114 a tonne for spring barley, a tremendous result achieved after some fierce bidding. Other barley straw sold for the equivalent of £60 per tonne.”

Buyers for wheat straw were more discerning with prices averaging an equivalent to £57 per tonne. The top price for wheat straw on the day equated to £62.50 per tonne - again by Rob Snook of Urchfont near Devizes. The majority of the lots sold for £55 per tonne equivalent. 

Trade for the hay on offer was more variable. Top prices achieved were for conventional bales of meadow hay, equivalent to £120 per tonne from Geoff Potter of Urchfont near Devizes. Averages for hay were lower than recent sales with an equivalent to £107 per tonne.

Read concluded: “Clearance rates were lower than that of recent sales with buyers not willing to travel further than needed to gain the quality hay and straw they were searching for. This being said we could still be a long way off spring turnout if the Beast from the East returned much like this time last year. Currently there is still plenty of stock available in the locality and we would welcome enquires for all hay and straw types.”

See more, Carter Jonas Hay & Straw Auctions