The straw trade has been one of the bright aspects of an otherwise depressed sector for tillage growers in recent weeks. Unfortunately, not all growers have been able to capitalise on the higher demand, with weather affecting straw yield, quality and volumes saved. It is all these factors, combined with the depletion of carryover stocks in spring 2016, which are responsible for the current lift in price and imbalance in supply and demand.
Volumes trading at present are low, with many reports suggesting a high percentage of straw has moved off farms that do not typically carry supplies over the winter and into the hands of the livestock producers or agents who are holding straw in anticipation of higher demand next spring.
There are steps that farmers can take or alternatives that can be used over the coming months to reduce or stretch existing supplies and leave you in a better position next spring.
Wise straw usage
It is worth noting that while straw may be more expensive than previous years, cutting down or skimping on straw usage in critical areas, such as calving or lambing pens, or for bedding young animals, is a false economy and one that could end up costing you dearly if it results in a disease outbreak. The following are areas that may be useful in stretching straw supplies.
Under cross-compliance, farmyard manure must be stored in a dungstead that collects all runoff. This can be unroofed or roofed.
One option some farmers have successfully operated in the last year is to wall off a bay of an existing storage shed and use this to store manure until the relevant spreading dates next January.
The first is where water drinkers are located in the shed, which can pose a risk of water wetting bedding through animals drinking or troughs leaking. It is worth monitoring the situation and taking action if required.
Other areas where the absorbency of straw may be reduced is where poor ventilation can limit moisture evaporation from bedding and increased condensation in cold weather, leading to moisture falling on bedding from the underside of roof sheeting. This can be rectified by ensuring the air inlet and outlet areas are sufficient.
Viable alternatives
Depending on the enterprise, there may be areas where alternatives can be used to reduce straw usage. These are listed below and further detailed information on bedding materials can be found in a very useful Eblex manual at http://beefandlamb.ahdb.org.uk/wp/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/bedding_materials_directory_2011_low_res131011.pdf.
1 Calf slats: There may be an option to pen calves on slats once they have overcome the period of greatest disease risk. Straw will still be required, but effluent seeping away from calves will reduce the requirement.
2 Rubber mats: Rubber mats in creep areas may be an option for autumn-born calves. Mats cost in the region of €30 to €40 plus VAT for a 6ft x 4ft section and work well if regularly scraped down into a slatted tank.
3 Woodchip: The potential of using woodchip has become more limited in recent years due to greater demand for woodchip for MDF, heat boilers, etc, and a resultant rise in cost. Woodchip is also more of an option for outdoor use, as rainfall helps to keep it clean. Its potential for use indoors is best suited to large open sheds or lie-back areas with a low stocking rate. Typical systems used are inserting woodchip at the outset at a depth of 8in to 9in to give good absorbency and applying fresh material at regular intervals or replacing the top layer. Take note that woodchip storage is similar to that of FYM and also that woodchip generally needs to be composted before spreading.
4 Sawdust: A high cost often makes sawdust or wood shavings prohibitive to use, particularly if purchasing in small bags or bales. Gaining access to sawdust in bulk form from mills is now more difficult for the same reason as wood chips, with greater demand for further processing or for industrial burners. However, there may be potential to purchase from smaller mills or businesses working with wood. The absorbency of sawdust is reported as relatively good, with the Eblex publication recommending a heavy 1ft to 2ft layer of sawdust and regular cleaning every six to eight weeks. This, of course, will be influenced by the stocking rate and whether sawdust is being used as a lie-back. Prices reported for sawdust available in half-tonne bags range from €12 to €15 per bag.
5 Peat bedding: Like sawdust, the availability of peat bedding is limited to particular regions. Absorbency is generally good, but this is also influenced by the weather conditions in which it is harvested. It is suited in particular to store finishing animals and similar management is required to that listed above.
Health considerations
The difficult weather for harvesting and baling straw has led to quite a percentage of straw being baled at a higher than desirable moisture content.
This greatly increases the risk of bales becoming mouldy or musty and possessing mycotoxins, which can be very harmful to humans and animals.
Take necessary precautions and wear protective masks and clothing/gloves where handling materials which pose a risk. Ventilation is also critical in this regard.
