The demand for slurry is high. The conditions for spreading are almost ideal and due to the high fertilizer prices, there is extra interest from the arable sector. That extra demand comes from companies that normally do not apply slurry in the spring and are now tackling.
'The demand for liquid manure depends on the weather' is a frequently heard comment among manure intermediaries and contractors. And the weather has been cooperative so far this season. Although the start was wet, the last three weeks were almost uninterrupted. The transport of the manure is the limiting factor, as is usually the case.
There is more demand for liquid manure among arable farmers this season; especially on the northern clay and (to a slightly lesser extent) in the southwest. The conditions for drag snakes on winter wheat are good and due to the cold nights the wheat is not really growing yet. The high prices for fertilizer provide the final push to growers who normally do not apply liquid manure in the spring. "But we should not exaggerate the additional demand either," according to an intermediary. "Many arable farmers are already at the limit of what they can supply." A lot of liquid manure is used in the Peat Colonies and on the southeastern sandy soil, but the standards will not be relaxed this year.
Hectic
"The manure season seems to be getting shorter every year," said a contractor. "They want to spread more manure in a shorter time. It's hectic, but we can still get it all done." Various intermediaries expect to be able to meet the fertilizer demand, but warn that the spreading period for wheat may soon be over. When the first knot is loosened and the wheat starts to stretch, it is ready. The period is longer for potatoes and corn.
Meanwhile, there are grumblings among livestock farmers that the collection contribution is decreasing, but not sharply enough when you look at the extra demand. Insiders point out that the costs for transport and exit have risen sharply. The high diesel price is perhaps the most striking, but machines, cars and parts have also risen in price. It is difficult to predict whether collection contributions will decrease this season. It is clear that the manure space that is currently being used will depend on the demand in the autumn. This shift, from using manure in the spring, is a trend that has been going on for some time and which - now that spring is good - is being strengthened somewhat.
Another factor that determines the market is still shrouded in mystery. Will there be a derogation or not? This does not cause any problems for fertilizing the first cut. Dairy farmers have hardly used the early spring to remove extra manure. The high price of fertilizer also plays a role here. There is something unnatural about spreading expensive fertilizer and disposing of your own manure. Later in the season, the uncertainty about derogation does cause problems. Once manure has been spread, it can no longer be removed if a derogation is not granted.
solid manure
It is still early in the season for solid manure, but here too there are signs of additional interest. Products such as solid manure, compost or champost are often used to fill the available manure space at the arable farmer after the grain harvest. Most manure traders and arable farmers are currently busy with liquid manure and the space on many farms still has to be calculated.
However, there are some sources that report that there is already more information about solid manure. Arable farmers would like to build up the soil's mineral supply, it seems. They are afraid of missing out later in the season. Traders are cautious about mentioning prices, but it is likely that various products will become several euros more expensive per tonne compared to last year. Here too, increased transport costs play an important role.