Straw price increases continue

Straw prices have once again been given room to rise. For example, towards the end of February, uncut product is already selling at €140 per tonne delivered free of charge. The spread is wide, because the bottom end is set at €125 to €180 per tonne. It is a price that is mainly the result of the situation in France. There is still straw there and contracts have often been concluded in advance, but these are just as easily 'forgotten' in order to sell the product to local livestock farmers.

Spain alternative to France
Since France increasingly has to say no, the first traders are already moving to Spain. There, prices have risen less rapidly (comparatively) and chopped product is still priced at €165 per tonne. A difficult point when importing from Spain is the higher transport costs.

And the Netherlands? Where livestock farmers are normally served locally, the product now often appears to have run out. There is talk of stocks in Groningen; these would hold arable farmers in anticipation of higher prices. It is certain that higher prices will come; especially now that the search for products is becoming increasingly difficult.

The picture in hay has not changed much compared to the previous weeks. For example, Reed Fescue and Red Fescue are still considered scarce. There is still sufficient product available from Engels Raai, but livestock farmers are not using this to replace the scarcer species. The price remains at €135 per tonne. The situation is slightly different in meadow hay, because the price increases slightly to €175 per tonne. Slightly more demand is observed here.

Ask about feed potatoes
The trade in silage maize (€56,25 per tonne) is described as quiet. Dairy farmers try to postpone the purchase of silage maize by purchasing feed potatoes. This is possible due to the fairly constant supply of feed potatoes. Washed potatoes cost €22,50 per tonne free of charge and unwashed potatoes have a top price of €30 per tonne free of charge. 

Protein produces more stories. For example, rapeseed meal appears to be difficult to obtain and soy prices are rising. It is the somewhat unexpected fall in the value of the euro that causes prices to rise. In the meantime, contracts have been concluded at a higher euro rate.

It has not yet had an impact on the price of spent grain. This went back to €2,20 to €2,30 per percent dry matter. While the prices (based on the protein price) should be higher. It is a situation that arose from the supply. So much beer is made that there is more than enough available.

Oversupply of silage
Another protein product is grass. Silage is mainly sold to dairy farmers in the south of the country. In the north, it is the large stocks that force dairy farmers to throw away product. This is to make room for the 2018 season. It yields prices of around €1 per percent of dry matter. In general, supply is much greater than demand. 

Various sounds come from the feed side that indicate that there are fewer cattle at dairy farmers; young cattle in particular are missed. Traditionally, these are the animals to which the cheaper feed products go. Purchasing phosphate rights is not yet an immediate option, due to the uncertainty about maintaining the derogation and the trend in the milk price. This leaves the option of getting rid of livestock. In combination with the ample stocks, this results in a quiet feed trade.The euro exchange rate compared to the soy price.