Inside Feed
Has an upward trend started on the feed market?
In the past period there has been little trade on the feed market. That has changed this week. There is more demand for silage maize and silage grass was also popular last week. Has the feed market started its upward trend?
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Choose the subscription that suits youAccording to the various forage traders, it is becoming increasingly clear that there is (too) few roughage products are available. This means there is more trade and demand also increases. On the other hand, it is also said that buyers are still waiting, hoping for lower prices. Although, according to various traders, the chance of this seems to be getting smaller and smaller.
Less availability
In the past week, the demand was mainly for silage grass and silage maize. This causes the price of silage maize to rise slightly to €67 per tonne free of charge or €1,60 per percent dry matter. The price of silage shows a slightly larger increase (+€5) to €55 per tonne free at farm or €1,50 per percent dry matter.
The above prices do represent (very) good quality. According to traders, this is currently difficult to find. "A lot of corn and grass of very poor quality is offered." This also ensures that the price range is enormous, because for poor quality silage maize the price can quickly drop to €40 per tonne, free of charge.
"Livestock farmers would rather pay €5 per ton more for very good quality than buy poor quality. This means that the price range is growing further and further apart," is the general opinion.
Beer spent grain remains popular
Beer spent grain is also very popular at the moment, which means that the price has risen considerably. While the price last week was €2,65 per percent dry matter, it is now €2,75 per percent dry matter (with a top end of €2,80 per percent dry matter).
Because there is a lot of demand for the product, several suppliers report that they no longer have a product available. According to traders, this could be an omen that the price will rise even further in the coming period.
In contrast, there is virtually no trade in perennial ryegrass. The product is scarce, while there is more than enough demand. It makes the price a small one Daling shows up to €155 per tonne free at farm. There appears to be no change in the mood on this market for the time being.
Straw remains stable again
De straw market again showed little movement last week. It ensures that the price remains at €140 per tonne free at farm (both wheat and barley straw). However, England has slightly more market share, at the expense of France. As a result, the top of the price range rises slightly to a maximum of €150 per tonne, free of charge.
The various traders indicate that the brexit vote of Tuesday, January 15 can have a major impact. The pound is already at a low level. The question is what happens when the vote on British Prime Minister Theresa May's Brexit agreement is completed.
There was also little activity in the meadow hay market last week. The price therefore remains at €240 per tonne, free of charge, which is considerably higher than in previous years.
Occasional trade in feed potatoes
The trade in feed potatoes has been quiet for a number of weeks. It was also difficult to find good quality potatoes last week. Where this was successful, the potatoes were purchased for around €45 per tonne, free of charge.
There was also almost no trade in red fescue, tall fescue and meadow meadow last week. This is mainly due to the current high prices (respectively €170, €170, €155 per tonne free of charge). Livestock farmers prefer to spend that money on other products.