hello,
i have a big old barn with its loft full of old deep compacted straw what would be the easiest way to get it out?.....a pith fork just can't get through all that woven straw

yes, old straw or hay can be a real bugger.
I've taken siding boards off before so I could push the stuff out of the barn. If you are using a fork with more than three tines, that could be a problem. Sometimes you just have to get in there with your hands and toss it out.... don't forget the dust mask..

A hay saw would be the tool you need to cut through the mat, flea markets and rural antique stores would be likely source. Shape tooth with a file, like a scythe a draw out edge on a anvil, a work hardened edge could cut best.

another thing you can do, if you have chickens, is to throw some feed into the straw. The chickens will tear some good sized holes out for you. In fact, you could probably put feed down in lines 3-4 feet apart and they would tear out strips for you.

Mark, even if you made that up, I think it's one of the best answers I've ever seen on this forum! I'm still chuckling weeks later. CB.

It's true, CB, I often trip on holes the chickens have dug out when I'm doing my morning chores with the sheep. We have about 12 "free range" chickens which we use mostly for fly control. The chickens dig out the fly larvae(one of their favorite foods) and cut down the summertime fly population by at least half.
If you want another chuckle, just sit and watch a group of chickens moving around a homestead... they get my vote for the most humorous farm animal.