Panic is over, peace reigns on the feed market

The grass is green again in many places, mainly due to the rain that has fallen in recent weeks. It provides peace of mind the feed market. Yet there are traders who indicate that more feed is needed. "If we have to deal with a late spring next year, then we will have a problem." 

Busy harvesting silage maize
The silage maize harvest is in full swing, which means there is little demand for product from the old harvest. That price remains this week at €72,50 per tonne, free of charge. Several traders indicate that this price is probably not much movement will show more. "Dairy farmers are waiting for the new harvest. For most, the old harvest is no longer interesting."

There is already some supply available here and there of the new harvest, but there does not seem to be much demand yet. According to the forage traders, this is strange on the one hand, but also understandable on the other. "The seller sometimes asks prices of €1.600 to €2.500 per hectare, while the buyer does not know what the quality is. The stories about the large differences in quality make it difficult to believe someone's blue eyes. That is why a livestock farmer sometimes wants to walk through the field himself to assess the quality," says a trader.

More prices are now being quoted for silage maize from the new harvest. There is talk of €1,90 to €2 per percent dry matter or €60 to €65 per tonne, free of charge. However, the large difference in quality in the Netherlands makes it difficult to assess what quality it concerns. "The quality in the north of the country seems good, but I have also seen many poorer plots in the Achterhoek."

(Text continues below the chart)The price of silage maize (old harvest) has stabilized at a high level.

Straw sellers continue to wait and see
The straw market can once again be described as 'wait and see'. This is because all sellers still don't want to sell anything. Some will see what the price will do later, and if necessary they will use the product themselves. This means that the price of straw remains at €130 per tonne free at the farm. This price applies to both barley and wheat straw.

The price of spent grains also remains stable for this week, resulting in a price of €2,70 per percent dry matter. Slightly higher prices do occur, but not on a large scale. The high price is mainly caused by it limited offer. In addition, traders report that they expect the price to rise again in the coming period, because the breweries are no longer as active.

Meadow hay prices will not increase again
The price of meadow hay dropped last week have seen a significant price increase, but this week that increase has moderated. The price even shows a decrease. This brings the price to €210 per tonne free at farm, which is still a very high level.

The silage market is stable, and has actually been that way for weeks. The price remains at €50 per tonne free at the farm. Outliers of €60 per tonne are reported free of charge, but that is for very good quality. Traders report that there is a demand for this product, especially from the south of the Netherlands and Belgium.

(Text continues below the chart)The price of meadow hay shows a small decrease, but is still very high.

The trade in perennial ryegrass is also very quiet this week, keeping the price stable at €155 per tonne free at the farm. The market for perennial ryegrass is recording a high price this year, which is made possible because the quality is rated as good to very good this year.

In addition, prices were also mentioned this week for potato press fibers and they are high. The price is €44 per tonne free at the farm. "This is because they mainly work with transit contracts and there is little product available," said a trader.

Sold out products
There are also products that are almost impossible to obtain, such as feed potatoes. The price of this product therefore remains at €40 per tonne, free of charge. In addition, red fescue, tall fescue and meadow meadow are also virtually impossible to obtain. The prices for these products are €150, €150 and €155 per tonne, free of charge, respectively.

Want to see more prices and graphs? View the Database.