First grass cut can't come soon enough

Due to the drought of last summer, there is a roughage shortage in Germany. Dairy farmers are therefore currently forced to add straw. The hope is placed on an early spring, so that the first cut of grass can be taken off the land early. 

The 'Landwirtschaftskammer' of the state of Lower Saxony says that many dairy farmers in the state are struggling with a roughage shortage. It appears that reserves on the silage slabs are too tight to bridge the coming winter months. Straw is increasingly being fed to compensate for the shortage of roughage.

A large proportion of German dairy farmers normally buy hardly any roughage; the purchase of meadow hay and silage maize is therefore an attack on the liquidity position.

Effect on milk supply
It is expected that the impoverishment of the rations will be noticeable in the milk supply. The first signs of a contraction are already visible, because since October the milk production in Germany lagging behind 2017. It should also be noted that the dairy herd has shrunk considerably. 

The hope is that spring will arrive soon, so that the first cut of grass can be taken off the land early and the shortages can be filled quickly. Also in the Netherlands roughage scarce, but the situation is less critical than in Germany. 

Wouter Job

Wouter Baan is editor-in-chief of Boerenbusiness. He also focuses on dairy, pig and meat markets. He also follows (business) developments within agribusiness and interviews CEOs and policymakers.

w.baan@boerenbusiness. Nl

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