This is a subscriber-only article
Some tillage farmers have reported earlier-than-usual interest from straw buyers for bales from the 2019 harvest.
Irish Grain Growers chair Bobby Miller said at least two farmers in his Co Laois area had received enquiries from Northern Ireland buyers, who had demand from their own customers.
"There is no price being discussed at this point, just checking that the straw is there," Miller said.
With many growers switching from spring to winter crops, large volumes of straw are expected to become available earlier this year.
Miller said this may prompt traders who have a lorry taxed only for a short season to move earlier.
Winter barley in six weeks
One farmer in Co Wexford said his winter barley would be ready to cut in six weeks and he had begun to receive requests for it.
Another grower in the southeast said he had just heard from his first buyer for this year's straw.
However, these early contacts remain isolated, with other tillage farmers in Co Wexford and in Co Galway saying they have not yet seen any business for straw from harvest 2019 and would not expect this to start until some time next month.
SHARING OPTIONS: