Despite a lower market, the southern arable cooperative CZAV scored a similar result in their grain pool for feed wheat. The payout price for baking wheat is slightly lower. Feed and malting barley have performed remarkably well in pool.
The net payment price for feed wheat at CZAV amounts to €145 per tonne, exactly the same result as in the grain pool for the 2016 harvest. The price for milling and spring wheat is €148 higher at €3 per tonne. This makes the difference slightly smaller compared to last season. Baking wheat is slightly lower with a difference of €2 (€152 per tonne). Regionally grown Tritiko wheat makes €158 per tonne.
The prices mentioned for baking and milling wheat apply to a hectoliter weight of at least 76. For baking wheat a protein percentage applies from 12,5%. The baking wheat price includes protein supplement.
Barley prices
CZAV scores very well with their payment prices for brewing and feed barley. The first amounts to €166 per tonne. Feed barley achieved a result of €141 per tonne, last year this was €131 per tonne for all barley. The cooperative was able to sell the spring barley it received as malting barley. This resulted in a premium of €25 per tonne.
Rien Fieman, head of grains at CZAV, says he has gotten everything he could from the market. Despite limited opportunities, the company is satisfied with the final prices. "For a few years we were not able to sell any brewable barley," adds deputy director Ko Francke. "That was the case last year. This explains the higher result of the barley. This year we are once again focusing on malting barley and are therefore focusing 100% on the Planet variety. It is known as the best. We are making every effort to ensure a brewing-worthy to deliver the product."
Good yields
More summer grain has been sown in CZAV's working area this season, as a result of the wet autumn. "Summer barley has made up for this, but it was sown late," says Francke. "A lot of rain has fallen locally. This has caused problems in crops sown in the spring (such as sugar beets and onions). Some potato plots have even been planted twice. The rain has been ideal for winter grains. The flowering period is coming to an end. end and was dry. Good conditions are also needed for filling, ripening and harvest. Preparations for the harvest have been made. We expect the first winter barley at the end of this month."
Francke notices that the total grain area has decreased slightly, which means that the volume to be collected is probably also lower. "The wheat price would have to be significantly higher for a positive balance, which would increase the acreage," he says. "This is good for many things. Think of soil fertility, but also the yield of other crops that measure up to the balance of wheat."
Local feed raw materials
"We remain committed to increasing the balance and finding equivalent alternatives. For example, there is a considerable project with winter and summer field beans. There is also a project with soy beans. We know field bean cultivation from the late 80s. The cultivation knowledge we need to regain control, just like sales. This is possible if politicians implement a policy on this. With a rule that a certain share of feed raw materials must be grown locally. If there is no financial incentive, the balance will remain moderate. "
The Tritiko project stopped this year. Instead, CZAV can now collect and market wheat from Skylark growers separately. "These are special varieties. Arable farmers have been approached for this," Francke explains. "If the quality is good, then a premium applies to the price. We continue to look for niches that reward extra effort. However, the entire chain must bear this and see the added value. This was no longer the case with Tritiko wheat."