Possible Clues:

• Rumours of spikes in fodder
• It's rumoured that they can get sound in the hay
• Grapevine info, for example
• Be told to make a statement on the rumour
• Pay attention, for example, to product of grapevine
• Gossip around us listened to, for example
• Straw's antennae for gossip?
• k.d.lang's wide-eyed young woman
• Evidence not allowed to control trial, for example
• Try to make a pronouncement on the rumours