The feed market has been stable for weeks and is not ready to move. However, according to forage traders, this is normal for this time of year. How come, and what will the prices be this week?
According to various forage traders, the feed trade this week is comparable to previous years. "There's not a lot, but nothing special either little trade", they report. This is partly because there is currently sufficient grass available, so no additional feed needs to be purchased. Another factor is that the liquidity position of dairy farmers is lower than in previous years.
Stable prices
The price for straw (both barley and wheat straw) remains stable again this week at €132,50 per tonne free at the farm. The meadow hay price also remains at €210 per tonne, free of charge. The forage traders also say that they are waiting for new hay. "The small packages in particular are almost gone," says a trader. "It should be noted that this is mainly sold as a hobby, because small packages are not sold much."
The price for spent grains remains at €2,25 per percent dry matter this week. However, here and there, €2,20 is already being paid, which means that the price is coming under further pressure. The price for silage corn remains stable at €62 per tonne free from farm and silage is also trading at €50 per tonne free from farm this week.
Slightly more demand for perennial ryegrass
There has been more demand for perennial ryegrass in the past week, which has caused the price to rise a step. The price now amounts to €150 per tonne, free of charge. On the other hand, red fescue, tall fescue and meadow meadow are almost sold out. These prices remain at €180, €165 and €155 per tonne, free of charge, respectively. Traders do indicate that there is slightly more interest in alfalfa.