'Poldergraan' is a new name in Flevoland. Last season, the company started the grain intake at its location in Biddinghuizen. This is not an unfamiliar place for most growers and pool members. The result of the first grain pool is known. Director Gert Jan Bonestroo is satisfied.
The first result of Poldergraan's long wheat pool, with advance payment, amounts to a net €146,40 per tonne. The pool has a term of 10 months, starting in September and ending in June. Director Gert Jan Bonestroo aims to divide the pool volume into 10 pieces. There is some flexibility within the month.
The short wheat pool was previously settled at net €146,60 per tonne. Quite special, since most pools actually performed better in the market in the long term. It was last year result of the long pool €143,50 per tonne and that of the short pool €152 per tonne.
Low yield, good protein
Poldergraan also has a pool for feed barley. This amounts to €144,60 per tonne. "In all cases these are net prices, from which all costs have been deducted," Bonestroo explains. "Hectoliter weights were on average between 72 and 73 and the yields were on average 25 percent lower. The hectares were there, but the kilos were missing. We had no problems with fusarium. All wheat was sold as feed wheat. Winter and summer barley also had destination of food. The cause of this was the hectoliter weights that were too low."
Blonk growers switched
According to Bonestroo, the growers are satisfied with the first results. Last year, new growers joined who appreciated an intake point and extra pool in Flevoland. Poldergraan works closely with George Pars Graanhandel BV, from Sint Jacobiparochie, who bought the Blonk branch in Biddinghuizen last year. “This collaboration allows us to make optimal use of knowledge exchange and economies of scale,” Bonestroo explains. "We complement each other well in the processing options for grain and grain seed propagation. In this way we provide added value to our growers."
Location renovated
"We are currently preparing Poldergraan for the future. We are busy renovating the roofs and creating a new landfill. We are starting the grain seed season with a new disinfection line. This would not have been possible without the support of our customers." , Bonestroo emphasizes.
Compensation for dry wheat
"We have changed the intake conditions on a number of points for next season," says Bonestroo. "This should simplify and streamline the processes for the grower. Grain orders can now be registered via the website. We will also start with a transport compensation of €2,50 per tonne for growers who bring their grain to Biddinghuizen themselves. This applies to both conventional and organic product. Smaller adjustments are: No more weighing costs, lower drying costs, moisture compensation for grains between 14 and 15 percent. This should make everything clear and transparent. Ultimately, the net price counts for the grower. That is why we must keep our costs low, the right sales times choose and add value."
Outlook is positive
The grain man finds it difficult to make a forecast for the coming harvest. "When I informed the growers 2 weeks ago, I wrote about the low grain prices. This has now changed. It looks positive. We did not see the heavy rainfall last year, which affected the yield, either. arrive. For the time being, there are no indications to expect lower wheat quality. The yield also seems good. On sandy soil you can see that the wheat dries out. However, the plants can root deeply and usually find sufficient water. Experience shows that dry years usually produce good are grain years. The winter barley is quite earlier this year than usual. I expect that it can be harvested in the first week of July. These crops have had sufficient water and temperature. That can produce a good yield."