This time is usually not the busiest period in the forage trade. This year the market follows the usual seasonal patterns less. It is and remains wet. This causes problems with grazing and the feed market also benefits from this.
It is a compromise for farmers who normally graze their cows. The soil must be suitable enough to allow the cows to go outside, and this is sometimes lacking. Keeping the cows in stables for longer also requires adjustments in the ration. Corn and spent grain in particular seem to be more popular than usual.
Commotion in by-products
There is some turmoil in the market with spent grains. Of course, the European Championship was briefly discussed by our informants, but that no longer has any influence. The beer for football supporters has been brewed before and the bars in Hamburg have have run out of stock by thirsty supporters do not make the difference. The waiting times for spent grains are somewhat longer at some suppliers. Demand is increasing, and supply has already reached its peak. All in all, the price is somewhat attractive. This means that the DCA indicative price increases from €3 per percent dry matter to €3,10 per percent dry matter.
Demand for silage maize is increasing somewhat among some traders. Corn supplies are running out faster because more corn is being fed and for longer than some livestock farmers expected. Sounds about the area that still needs to be sown don't help either. Just like the mediocre, drowned start of the corn that has been sown. Corn simply needs temperature. The DCA indicative price for silage maize remains at €100 per tonne.
As an alternative, some traders offer pea fiber. The availability is reasonably good and at the current prices for silage maize, for example, pea fiber is also interesting to take into account from a price point of view.
Straw is becoming scarce
Wheat and barley straw is becoming increasingly difficult to obtain. The price is therefore somewhat attractive. We have to wait for the new harvest before prices drop. Until then we have to make do with the stock of (French) straw and that is simply running out. It is currently just a little too early for the first new straw from France. The weather will also determine the supply of straw. French grain growers drop straw easily, but German and Dutch growers turn on the chopper on the combine a little faster. The DCA indicative price for both wheat and barley straw increases this week to €160 per tonne.
Traders are short and clear about grass seed hay. It's just barely there and we're waiting for the new harvest. Prices are said to be so high at the moment that livestock farmers have little interest in it. The DCA indicative price for grass seed hay remains unchanged and stands at €185 per tonne. The situation in meadow hay is also virtually unchanged. Normally hay could be extracted around this time, but this requires a week of dry weather. Just don't leave that in the forecast. The DCA indicative price remains at €200 per tonne.
It is not exciting in silage this week either. Supply and demand are reasonably in balance. The DCA indicative price for silage remains at €85 per tonne. Feed potatoes are hardly available. The DCA indicative price remains at €60 per tonne, but you have to be lucky to get a container.