While the winter barley harvest is already over, the winter wheat harvest is already starting to get underway. Given the weather, the arable farmers have the choice of whether to sell or chop the straw. But what can actually be done for the straw?
There is not yet much demand from dairy farmers for straw. The situation is not the same as last year. Then shortages threatened and livestock farmers tried to fill the barns as full as possible. However, it is certainly not the case that there is no demand at all.
Price starts lower
Most straw currently still comes from abroad, especially France. There, arable farmers receive approximately €60 per tonne of straw. Arable farmers received around €75 per tonne for winter barley straw in the south-west. A similar price, up to €80 per tonne, is expected for winter wheat straw.
In the north of the country, arable farmers receive less for their straw. These are prices of €65 to €75 per tonne, regardless of the country. Traders do indicate that there is somewhat more demand for straw in the north. Pressed and out of the shed, prices naturally rise.
Agricultural fairs
The Emmeloord agricultural fair also recorded straw prices for the new harvest on Tuesday, July 23. The wheat straw price was €70 to €75 per tonne. Last year the quotation opened at €85 to €95 per tonne. The Goes stock exchange also lists wheat straw at a price of €70 to €75 per tonne, while the Middenmeer stock exchange price puts wheat straw (large bales) at €70. For barley straw, Middenmeer's quotation is €60 per tonne.
The weather next week will partly determine whether the straw is chopped or not. Although some rain is expected this weekend, it seems dry enough to remove the straw from the land. According to insiders, a large part of the straw is still sold and a relatively small part is chopped, for example to increase the organic matter content in the soil.