What is happening to standing straw prices?
June 2026
What is happening to standing straw prices?
Standing straw prices have risen sharply across the past five seasons at Greenslade Taylor Hunt’s annual sales, climbing from a 2022 low to a 2026 high as tight supply and strong livestock demand drove competitive bidding. For the 2026 season, the same pressures behind those increases remain firmly in place, which makes early planning worthwhile for vendors and buyers alike.Each summer, GTH’s Agricultural Department at Sedgemoor Auction Centre sells standing straw by live auction, featuring online bidding, which provides customers of the auction ‘the best of both worlds’, usually on either the last Tuesday evening of June or first Tuesday evening of July, depending how the dates fall, with a view to being as close to the harvest of winter barley as possible, so purchasers can walk crops and see them in their final and established state. Standing straw is the straw left in the field after the grain harvest, sold while standing for the buyer to bale and clear once combined. The auction sets a price per acre, and the movement across recent years shows clearly where this market is heading.
This article sets out how standing straw prices have moved since 2022, why they have risen, and what vendors and buyers should consider ahead of future sales, if market trends continue to react in the same way.
How much have standing straw prices risen since 2022?
Standing straw prices have climbed steeply over five seasons, with winter barley topping £100 per acre in 2022, £140 in 2023, and £175 in 2024, £220 in 2025 and £265 in 2026. That is a rise of around 165% over the five year period with consistent lifts in the trade which suggest it is not a blip, driven by an underlying short supply and livestock farmers facing empty bedding stores. The increases were felt across all straw types, not just barley.The year-on-year movement at the GTH sales shows the pattern clearly:
- 2022: A down year. Winter barley topped £100 per acre, winter wheat £94, winter oats £84, and winter oilseed rape £44. Carryover supplies from previous seasons meant steady rather than aggressive bidding.
- 2023: A sharp recovery. Winter barley reached £140 per acre and winter wheat £130, increases of roughly 30% on the year, as competitive bidding returned across more than 4,000 acres sold.
- 2024: Another rise. Winter barley topped £175 per acre, winter wheat £170, winter oats £130, and spring barley up to £100, a further 10 to 15% on 2023, with over 3,100 acres sold.
- 2025: Entries acreage unfortunately continuing to lessen, being 2,300 acres, with less cereals being grown in the Taunton and Bridgwater areas, being historically the auction mainstays. Winter barley peaked at £220 per acre, winter wheat a staggering £242 and oilseed rape breaking the three figure barrier, topping at £100.
- 2026: Entries reduced slightly, with another sizeable lift in the trade. Winter barley rose to £265 per acre, winter wheat flew to £270, being a new record and spring barley equally well sought, selling to a top of £175.
A notable feature of the 2025 and 2026 sales was how much business moved online, with around a third of lots bought through Marteye, the online bidding portal, alongside bids in the room. That shift has widened the pool of buyers competing for each lot, which supports prices.
Why are straw prices so high?
Straw prices are high because supply has tightened while demand from livestock farmers has stayed strong. Reduced cropping areas, variable weather affecting yields, and rising baling and contracting costs have all squeezed the amount of straw reaching the market. When supply falls and demand holds, competition at auction pushes prices up.Several factors are working together here, and they are unlikely to reverse quickly.
Tighter supply and reduced cropping
The area planted with combinable crops has come under pressure in recent seasons, which means less straw available once the grain is harvested. With growers openly stating how narrow their margin is, the number of acres grown in the immediate area will be under pressure until that improves. Adding to this the local demand by numerous biodigester plants for differing crops, there is a downwards pressure on acres grown which will not be corrected overnight.Weather and yield uncertainty
Recent seasons have swung between extremes, from drought to exceptionally wet springs, and each affects how much straw a field will yield. Dry conditions over the summer reduce straw yields and can also hit hay and silage, forcing some farmers to draw on forage stores early. That combination of smaller supply and earlier demand keeps the market firm.Rising input and contracting costs
Even where diesel and fertiliser costs might have eased from their peaks, baling and wrapping costs have not followed. Higher contracting charges feed directly into the value of straw, and buyers factor those costs in when bidding. For livestock farmers, straw is a real and rising bottom line in the cost of production, particularly for bedding.What does this mean for vendors selling standing straw?
For vendors, a firm market is an opportunity, but the best result still depends on entering the sale early and pricing realistically. The auction system rewards vendors by creating competition between buyers, and clearance rates at recent GTH sales have held up well even in tougher years. Selling standing straw also removes the cost and risk of baling and storage from the seller.The main advantages of selling standing straw at auction are straightforward:
- The buyer bales and clears the crop, so you avoid baling, handling, and storage costs.
- Competitive bidding, both in the room and online, helps you achieve full market value on the day.
- You receive a clear, transparent result, which is particularly useful for partnerships, tenancies, and estate accounting.
The advice our auctioneers give most often is to get entries in early and set realistic reserves, so the lot attracts competition rather than deterring it. GTH’s agricultural team handles standing straw alongside the wider crop, fodder, and standing straw sales, and can advise on timing and likely values for your area.
What should buyers consider before the sale?
Buyers should weigh the certainty of securing supply early against the natural uncertainty of how much straw a standing crop will yield. Buying standing straw means committing before the crop is baled, so the final tonnage is not guaranteed. A buyer with good local knowledge can judge a field well, and an early purchase reduces the risk of tight supply and higher prices later in the season.The logic behind recent bidding is simple: with supply tight and weather unpredictable, securing straw early protects against paying more, or struggling to source it at all, once winter arrives. Buyers travelling from across the region to attend these sales show how seriously that risk is taken. For livestock farmers in particular, locking in bedding supply ahead of a long winter has real value.
When are the GTH standing straw sales in 2027 and beyond?
The GTH standing straw sales are held annually by live auction at Sedgemoor Auction Centre, typically on either the last Tuesday in June or the first Tuesday in July, with online bidding available through Marteye. Exact dates and entry deadlines for the 2027 season are published on the agricultural sales calendar, and vendors are encouraged to enter early to secure a place.You can find the latest dates on the agricultural sales calendar, and read more about the auctions run from the Sedgemoor Auction Centre. Whether you are selling or buying, our team can talk you through how the sales work and what to expect.
Conclusion
Standing straw prices have risen markedly since 2022, and the supply and demand pressures behind that trend show little sign of easing for 2027. For both sides of the market, that makes early action the sensible approach.The key points for the seasons ahead:
- Prices have climbed steeply across three seasons, with winter barley moving from £100 per acre in 2022 to £265 in 2026.
- Tight supply, reduced cropping, weather uncertainty, and high contracting costs are keeping the market firm.
- Vendors should enter early and price realistically; buyers should weigh early certainty against yield risk.
GTH’s Agricultural Department at Sedgemoor Auction Centre has long experience selling standing straw, fodder, and crops across the West Country. To discuss entering the 2027 sales, or to learn how the auction system could work for you, contact the team at Sedgemoor Auction Centre.