Shropshire straw in demand

Leading Shropshire auctioneers Halls have sold around 4,500 acres of standing straw by auction and privately on behalf of clients in the county this summer.

Prices for winter barley straw have varied between £60 and £90 an acre, averaging £75 an acre. Winter wheat straw has sold for between £50 and £90 an acre, averaging at £68 an acre, with generally higher prices achieved in West Shropshire than the east of the county.

"Our evening on-farm auctions of straw have again proved very popular and have been well supported," said auctioneer Nick Hyne, a director of Halls. "The acreage of straw sold is similar to last year but the trade generally is 20 per cent up."

Halls still has various areas of standing straw for sale privately across Shropshire and Mr Hyne can be contacted on 01743 462620 for more information.