Livestock farmers are slowing down

De quiet market is caused by the fact that sufficient feed could still be obtained in the months of September and October, such as the third and fourth cutting grass and finishing the corn harvest. "In addition, livestock farmers do not have deep wallets at the moment, so they only buy what is really necessary," reports a forage trader.

Will there be a straw shortage?
The price of straw (both barley and wheat straw) remains stable at €135 per tonne, delivered to the farm. This means that the price is slightly higher than in previous years, with the exception of last year. That year, the price in December was around €135 per tonne, free of charge.

Various traders report that the supply of straw from France is rapidly decreasing, giving the price the opportunity to rise. However, there are also traders who say that there is still sufficient stock available in the United Kingdom and Germany. "It is therefore difficult to estimate whether there will ultimately be enough stock will be to get through the winter," said a trader.

High price for meadow hay
The price of meadow hay rises to €210 per tonne free at farm. According to the various forage traders, this is mainly due to the limited stock of the product. The price of meadow hay has not fallen below the level of €33 per tonne free of charge since week 200 and it is not expected that this will happen anytime soon.

Little trade in perennial ryegrass
The price of perennial ryegrass remains stable at €160 per tonne free at farm. The traders indicate that there is little trade when it comes to this product. "The selling party does not buy and the selling party does not sell. This means that the price cannot move," they explain. 

The price of spent grain also remains stable and amounts to €2,60 per percent dry matter. There is little supply, but demand remains the same. It results in a rising price. There is also little demand for silage, which causes the price to drop slightly. The price this week amounts to €50 per tonne free at the farm. 

No trading
There has been no trade in feed potatoes, tall fescue, red fescue and meadow meadow in recent weeks. These prices therefore remain at €40, €150, €150 and €155 per tonne, free of charge, respectively. There has also been no trading this week silage corn, where the last quoted price was €65 per tonne, free of charge.