Farmers in the UK are experiencing record straw prices.

Persistent rain has denied farmers an opportunity to harvest straw from their fields, causing a shortage in availability. Meanwhile, the harsh weather conditions have meant that animals have needed to be kept inside for longer, increasing the demand for straw to be used as bedding.

An increase in demand and a shortage in supply, caused by the very same factor: it sounds like the perfect commercial storm.

There is a concern that the issue could have a knock-on effect for next winter, with many farmers having used up all of their reserves and now considering it too late in the year to plant crops. As with any agricultural issue, this is bound to reverberate around other industries.

Farmers will need to be innovative in the methods they employ to combat the problem – they’ll also be praying that the recent dry weather continues.