Feed extraction for dairy cattle gets off to a smooth start

During the day the sun is gaining strength again, but at night the temperature continues to drop significantly. No obstacle for the first cut of grass. In North Brabant, the majority is already on the pit plate. As far as can be determined, the grass has a 'beautiful' quality. 

Bring in the first cut of grass on time 
In other places, the high sugar percentage produces beautiful pictures. In the center of the country there is also a lot of pressure to bring in the first cut of grass on time. What helped was that last season there was a short period in which harvesting could take place, after which rain delayed the harvest and in many places resulted in a poorer second cut. With that in mind, every day with good harvest weather is optimally used.

Not only is a lot of work being done in the grass, a lot of corn seed has also been planted in the last few days. The unusually low temperature delayed sowing slightly, but there are now reports from all corners of the Netherlands that corn is being sown in abundance. The south of the country is traditionally ready first. An estimated 80 percent of the seed is in the soil there.  

Quiet in the roughage trade
As a result of the work on the land, the silage maize trade has come to a standstill. Not unusual for this time of year. The average price remains between 55 and 60 euros per tonne free farm. More demand will be expected again in about 4 weeks. The peace also extends to the silage grass. The price remains at 35 euros per tonne.

Tension through France
There was more commotion in the straw trade due to the dry conditions in France. It is now raining locally. It is enough to prevent price increases. In the Netherlands, according to reports from the field, the crop is otherwise in good shape. The price for wheat straw starts at 100 euros per tonne free at the farm, rising to 165 euros per tonne for factory chopped straw. Supply and demand keep each other in good balance.

Things are calmer in the meadow hay trade. There is still sufficient supply. The price remains between 140 and 150 euros per tonne, free of charge. Prices for grass seed hay are also at a plateau. For example, Engels Raai starts at 120 euros per ton, free of charge. The cheapest product. More must be paid for Red Festive.

Raw material prices stable
While France cannot yet increase straw prices, this is happening in the Netherlands futures market for wheat. Lower prices for grain corn and soy. It will be exciting for dairy farmers, because there is talk of further tightening of the feed track. It can be a price driving effect to have. Due to the unexpected introduction of the young livestock number, it is also good to take everything into account on this subject.

With the exception of the feed trail, nothing indicates rising feed prices this early in the season. It also helps that the massacres are still on the high side. April yields a total of 60.481 animals. That is a plus of 35 percent, despite the broken weeks in April. A total of 275.931 animals disappeared for slaughter, 86.924 more than a year earlier. On top of that, another 40 to 45.000 animals will disappear from the Netherlands through export until June.

What further without optimal stocking density?
Apart from the discussion about the LU scheme, there are considerably fewer beaks than a year earlier. This means that no surprises can be expected from the feeding area. The question is how dairy farmers will get through 2017 in terms of returns, because the group of non-growers must also return to stocking rates. Those who already had difficulty with optimal livestock density in 2016 will be faced with the challenge of surviving a low milk price with lower livestock density in the future. 

View the slaughters and cattle prices

The milk price comparison