Livestock farmers in Germany have the greatest difficulty in obtaining sufficient roughage for their livestock. The yields of the second cut of silage are often halved, there is little straw and meadow hay available and maize is suffering a lot from the drought.
More and more German states are adjusting their rules as a result of extreme drought damage. From July 1 or July 16, depending on the state, livestock farmers may use the crops grown on 'Ökological Vorrangflächen' (greening crops) as animal feed. This concerns green manures, natural meadows with a herb mixture and protein crops. However, arable farmers are not allowed to harvest and resell their greening crops.
The situation is most extreme in the north, east and parts of West Germany. Earlier this year, hail and flooding caused problems in the south of Germany. It is now dry there too. That is why almost all states have rules surrounding it Common Agricultural Policy relaxed. Merely mowing fallow areas is not sufficient, according to the German farmers' association DBV. Green manures must also be harvested as roughage. However, this is against the rules in Brussels.
Mood making at the straw market
According to various reports in the German media, not only the yield of grain, but also that of straw would be considerably lower. Dutch forage traders and contracting companies, which are active in the east and northeast of Germany, refute this. According to them, this is partly about it mood-making.
Last summer a lot of straw was lost because... August was very wet. If everything can be pressed this year, there will be more than enough straw, according to the companies. Harvest conditions are good at the moment. It has been very dry for 10 weeks in a row. Making a plan is easy and you won't break anything. "I have customers who sell more straw. The grain prices and yields are not high. They can use the extra income," says a trader.
More French straw
In France, where growing conditions were better, is sufficient straw available. For foraging companies it is a matter of switching gears; If there is a shortage in Germany or the price is too high, more will be sourced from Southern Europe. In terms of price, this does not matter to the Dutch buyer. The wheat harvest has now started in France and in Germany the pressing of wheat straw will start at the end of this week.
It's a different story for silage grass and meadow hay. After the first cut, nothing grew anymore. However, if sufficient rain falls within the next 2 weeks, the grass will recover quickly and no one will be left behind. Supplies are often good at German and Dutch (dairy) farmers. For a company with 1.000 dairy cows, it is financially more interesting to get rid of cows than to purchase feed.
Press pulp
German dairy farmers are looking carefully at alternative sources. Traders do not immediately see harvesting green manures as a solution. If it remains dry, they will not grow. Sugar beets were in good condition all spring. What does the drought do to the yield? If that is low, there is also less pressed pulp available. If there is enough, it can be included in the ration of young cattle and dry cows, so that more silage grass is available for the dairy cows.