This is usually not the busiest time in the forage trade. This year is no exception. Straw is running out and there is limited trade in silage grass. The most action is in the by-products, but there are big differences between the different suppliers.
Whether it is due to the rain or not, buyers of roughage are relatively calm. Although there may have been little on it, the first livestock farmers have the second cut grass under the plastic. However, there is still little trade in silage grass from this season. Some traders have bought bales and some livestock farmers have done something among themselves, but according to insiders, these are not large quantities. The new grass still has to conserve, of course, so for direct feeding you are dependent on the 2024 harvest. There is not much trade in that either. Often it is not the top quality that sellers want to get rid of. The DCA Indicative Price for silage grass from the 2024 harvest takes a step back this week to €75 per tonne.
There are quite large differences between suppliers in the by-products. One calls the demand good and indicates that they can sell more than is offered, while the next says that calm is returning after a number of busy weeks. The DCA Indicative Price for brewers' grains remains unchanged this week at €3,60 per percent dry matter.
Feed potatoes have risen to €40 per tonne. The supply is getting tighter according to a trader and alternatives such as feed carrots are drying up because the season in the Netherlands is coming to an end.
Traders are also not very unanimous about maize. This is mainly due to the region in which they operate. In peat areas where less maize is grown, demand is good. The milk price is relatively good and customers are used to buying more. In other regions, buyers seem to be more hesitant. Buying more is always possible, these customers reason. The DCA Indicative Price for Silage Maize takes a step back this week and comes to €90 per tonne.
Waiting for new harvest
In hay and straw, we are waiting for the new harvest. The stock of straw at various traders is running out and it will be almost a month before the first winter barley straw arrives. Some traders advise customers not to take more than strictly necessary because they expect that when the grain harvest starts, straw prices will take a big step back. Of course, there may also be a bit of self-interest behind this, with a view to rapidly dwindling stocks. The DCA Indicative Price for straw remains unchanged at €185 per tonne.
There has not been any real hay weather this past week. There is some new hay coming onto the market, but it is being brought in from France. And just like with silage, you can't get by with it if you want to feed it directly. The indicative price for meadow hay from last season is €185 per ton. There is hardly any trade in grass seed hay. The DCA indicative price is €165 per ton. Sellers who still have some do not want to lower their price yet.