The manure market remains stable despite regional differences in supply and demand, while the spreading season is progressing quickly due to favorable weather. Price adjustments vary. Read more about manure prices and regional differences.
The weather has been cooperating since Easter. Whereas work previously had to be done between showers, it has been possible to drive out at full speed since the beginning of last week. The pace is high, meaning that in some regions the season will come to an end as early as next week. Elsewhere, a few more weeks are needed to complete everything.
The wheat has largely been fertilized. Manure is still being spread on some fields, particularly on winter wheat that is less developed. This also concerns fields with spring wheat and spring barley. In addition, plenty of manure is being spread on potato fields and on land for beets and onions.
In the south, pits are running dry in various places. Further north, there are also areas where the manure has largely been disposed of. In the north and east, on the other hand, there is still a large supply. This means that the situation varies greatly from farm to farm.
One party has an abundance of manure and sees limited opportunities to dispose of it in a timely manner. Another party, on the other hand, has high demand but sees its stock dwindling faster than anticipated. For instance, there are livestock farms scheduled to collect 1.000 cubic meters, but where the pit turns out to be empty at just 700 to 800 cubic meters.
Despite the stable weather, companies coordinating manure supply remain adaptable. With the available transport capacity, things are moving quickly. Spreading is now possible even on low-lying plots. As a result, the season is running more smoothly than at the start.
Some companies are lowering collection fees to attract additional manure. Others are keeping prices stable due to sufficient supply. A third group is raising prices because sales space is becoming tighter.
Higher diesel prices also play a role. This factor is often passed on to the buyer. Asking for higher contributions is different from offering a lower amount, according to coordinators in manure distribution. In practice, the differences are significant this year. The fuel price plays an important role in this, as transport distances weigh heavily.