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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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