Sky-high straw prices hit European livestock and dairy farmers
Hamburg/London — Livestock and dairy farmers across northern Europe are paying soaring prices for straw used in food and bedding for cattle, as hot, dry weather across the region reduces crops. The higher bills put further pressure on farmers already facing one of their toughest summers yet; many have had to buy more hay for fodder because the grass on which their herds normally graze has not grown. Some predict thousands of pounds in extra costs even for small herds, leading to an overall loss for the year. "If you look at the price of fodder and straw I would be fairly confident that this year we will lose money [on cattle]," said David Barton, who farms in the normally lush Cotswolds in central England. Wheat straw that would usually cost £35 a ton is nearly £100 a ton. Barton will have to pay about £80 a day to feed his 173 cattle as there is no grass left. Barton estimates extra spending of about £7,000 over three months. The largest cost, however, will be the loss of meat prod...
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