Getting paid for straw ?

[jh.]

To some, it may seem strange that @Clive would want to remove and sell straw, rather than use it to help build up SOM.
I happen to see his point in doing so. In the early years of converting to DD, Chopped straw can be a hindrance in crop establishment. The loss of this potential SOM benefit can potentially be got round far more beneficially by using Cover crops.

On top of which, by the time you have been DD farming as long as @Clive has, SOM levels may have increased to such a level, that removing straw isn’t going to have much, if any detrimental effect.

I’ll bet that if and where @Clive believes that straw is better chopped, he will do so.

Harry's farm a few months ago had done some soil sampling and briefly pointed out his worst land was the stuff often baled by a neighbour . I don't know if he ever covered it in a follow up video as sounded interesting.

 

[lloyd]

what legal case ?

I’ve digested replies here and the. constructive replies some have offered will influence how i sell straw in the future if indeed i sell straw again at all

the thread had prompted a meeting tomorrow…….. one at which i hope a cheque book will be present !

I hope it doesn't turn nasty these straw dealers can be pretty handy with a ratchet strap.
We wait the outcome with suspense.

 

[Clive]

I'm different, I'd call it a good use of time if I went to visit and came away with a cheque! Your too long out of the spud game, sell August, cheque may when you tell them you are growing more for them, then some very sad faces in August when there is none growing

Only thing I miss about growing spuds is the men in vans paying me big bundles of cash !

 

[ridger]

Only thing I miss about growing spuds is the men in vans paying me big bundles of cash !

Keeps one motivated for sure lol

 

[Clive]

Harry's farm a few months ago had done some soil sampling and briefly pointed out his worst land was the stuff often baled by a neighbour . I don't know if he ever covered it in a follow up video as sounded interesting.

massive collation here between yield and SOM levels - FYM, compost and chopped straw is valuable way beyond the NPK values . I only started selling some of my straw when good quality free compost became available to me instead and straw price were at levels that more than covered cost of carting in and spreading that compost. In the early days of notill transition chopping all out straw was key to making it work

 

[Chickcatcher]

I have read the thread and have no comments, but I would like some help on handling harvesting Straw.
I find it impossible to understand why anyone would buy Straw in the Swarth.
I am not capable of baling the 370 acres of straw that goes through my barn but it can be removed nearly as quick as 2 Krone HD bailers work.
That prompts the question should I be baling with such Hi density (520Kg in a 900*1200 bale) to supply the "Straw users" of the UK?
I am 25 Miles north of M25, 2 miles west of the Greenwich meridian is it actually to far to shift it around the country?
Would it be possible to agree what price the "in Swath buyer" would pay per Bale/ton before harvest? so if no demand I chop! I have in the past baled to be able to supply livestock users thinking I was helping what I consider a hard working gang.
Any way last year all my straw ended up in Wales sold to what must have been my long lost brother, as he was just the sort I would want as a brother were I to have one.
Cut to the chase I got a few Barley bales 150ish and 900 wheat all barn stored for the shortage implied in posts above next year.

 

[Cab-over Pete]

So to update ..........

Met the buyer this morning, he's agreed to pay this week, we agreed to discount 35 ac of barley straw that got rained on that he will return, we will compost and he will spread, the weather after a deal is agreed is not really my problem but it's cost him and to help seems fair in the interest of being able to work together in the future, with that straw returned i've lost no nutrients, just some cashflow / income this year. I think thats a mutually reasonable solution, it's cost us both in different ways

Incidentally we sell straw to a number of buyers from more than one farm, no one has been named in this thread so anyone thinking they know who I'm referring to is guessing or jumping to (probably incorrect) conclusions !

All, that aside however this has been an interesting thread full of good advice and ideas . The auction route would get the best price and guarantee early payment BUT I could be dealing with just anyone who could delay removal or make a mess so thats probably not a good option either. We either need to go back to chopping everything or find better ways to work together and ensure prompt payment, straw for muck could be an option even ........ I guess I have until harvest to decide what's best, we stopped selling any straw in out first 8years of notill and it really helped build soils up so there is great value in chopping, we have only sold a % in the last few years as prices were much higher and I was less bothered about the OM having access to pretty much as much compost as I want for free, selling straw more than paid for carting and spreading compost

We do need to start adding interest to late payment invoices and make those terms clear as some have suggested - certainly have been lapse on that

Thanks for replies, they have (mostly) been useful and taken on board

To avoid anybody jumping to the wrong conclusions, maybe you could at least name 2-3 of the better merchants you have dealt with.

That could build some good feeling and trust between you and them for the future.

 

[Derrick Hughes]

A stranger is only a friend you haven't met yet. Sometimes you have to take a chance.

You sound like Jesus , what did strangers do to him

 

[mo!]

You sound like Jesus , what did strangers do to him

No worse than his friends.

 

[unlacedgecko]

9 pages of replies and no one has yet suggested killing anyone or torching anything. TFF has turned over a new leaf for 2022 it seems.

Clearly someone is upset with a straw merchant.

Very large fire at the Hemswell Cliff straw storage site on the old airfield.

 

[ImLost]

View attachment 1012775

Clearly someone is upset with a straw merchant.

Very large fire at the Hemswell Cliff straw storage site on the old airfield.

Busy day today @Clive ?

 

[Derrick Hughes]

Brigg Power Station , word is they 25000 ton will go up

 

[7610 super q]

Be looking for another 25000 ton then....

 

[jh.]

I had actually saved the video . Don't know if he ever did the follow up and I've just missed it.

 

[Still Farming]

Be looking for another 25000 ton then....

At twice the price as winter??

 

[bobk]

Most straw dealers expect you to store it for them

 

[7610 super q]

You have to question the wisdom of storing 25,000 ton in one place ?

 

[bobk]

You have to question the wisdom of storing 25,000 ton in one place ?

But well insured .......

 

[JohnGalway]

I think the best solution is pay on the day, keeps everyone straight. Someone said before, when was the last time a restaurant invoiced you?

Guy I know took over his parents food business, serving mostly tourism interests. He said many "potential customers" had a tantrum in the yard when he informed them of the new buying arrangement, that they could buy as much as they wanted as long as they paid on the day - in other words he wasn't going to be a bank for anyone. He told me 90% of the tantrum throwers had gone bust by the end of the season as they lived high on the hog when trade was good and when the season ended and bills were due they had empty pockets.

 

[Matt]

If your chap is wanting long term arrangements, why couldn't they part pay some every month, starting before harvest. So you have payment on account.