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supplies are based. We meet again in February and then May.
‘ We represent the interests of our members on matters that affect us all and aim to maintain a high code of practice. Understanding any new legislation and the legal implications is one of those areas where it helps if we all communicate- and sharing price information is also extremely beneficial. As an organisation we supply the media and government with weekly statistics. We are recognised as the official trade organisation for the hay and straw sector.’
Andrew and Adele Holman farm around 100 acres at Tythe Farm, Cliffe near Selby. They have traded as A & A Services for the past 33 years and Andrew has been in the straw trade for 47 years. They run four balers and have five
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wagons delivering straw to farms in an area from Dumfries to North Wales and also to power stations.
‘ Before the advent of power station supply nearly all of our trade was the traditional haulage of straw from east to west. It was David( Johnson) who recruited me for the BHSMA 15 years ago. Even though I’ d been involved in the straw trade for many years I had been unaware of it previously. Today, I find it much more relevant to us all and expansionist in its thinking. We all provide information that produces a weekly association average price.’
One area where Andrew has seen supply take a hit in more recent years has been the length of straw.
‘ It seems very difficult with current arable farming practice to end up with the huge yields of straw that we had
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decades ago. The yield has dropped mainly through shorter growing varieties. Larger scale cereal farmers’ interest is understandably focussed more on grain but a number of the varieties that were once three foot tall are now in some cases as short as 18 inches. That’ s a huge change in the amount of straw available.’
Brian Peacock has been trading in hay and straw for 30 years as Peacock’ s of Thirsk at Leake Hall by the side of the A19, selling straw to farms in North Yorkshire and south west Scotland. His farm runs to 500 acres and includes beef and sheep. He has also developed a strong haylage business for horses, growing 350 acres of grass for the purpose. He has seven balers and operates two wagon drags. His farm location makes his business one of the most instantly recognisable hay and straw merchants as he’ s
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on the main road, his bales are colourful and always on display and he’ s next to a delightful little church.
When Brian occasionally receives a call from a customer asking why his bale price may be different to the average he offers a quick-witted retort. He also tells of how dairy farm cow numbers and new methods have altered the demand for straw on farms.
‘ When they ask why mine might be a bit higher price I just say‘ Well is it going to walk to you?’ We all have costs to cover and haulage isn’ t cheap.
‘ The two main changes to the demand from dairy farms, particularly those with large herds, have been through feeding and bedding. A lot of big dairy farmers have now realised the benefit of mixing wheat straw, which is quite cheap as dry matter roughage, as part of the cow diet. While
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