Livestock farmers have been anxiously awaiting the new harvest for weeks. This has resulted in a quiet market in recent weeks. It is also quiet this week, although the new harvest of meadow hay has presented itself. What does the price for new product amount to, and when is the new crop of straw expected?
The price for straw (both barley and wheat straw) from the old harvest is again €128 per tonne free at the farm this week. The expectation is that the price will drop in the coming weeks, because the new harvest will make its entrance. According to forage traders, the first barley straw from the country will be collected in France at the end of the week. This straw would also be available in the Netherlands next week.
Although relatively little is known about the quality of French straw, prices are already mentioned: €110 to €115 per ton, free of charge. That is comparable to the price last year was laid down for the new harvest. On the other hand, traders do not expect that this product will immediately be widely traded, as many dairy farmers still have enough feed (mostly grass) in stock. "It is only when it is dry for a longer period of time that a storm is expected to occur," they expect.
New meadow hay
While we still have to wait a while for the new harvest of straw, the new harvest of meadow hay is already available. Due to the good weather in recent days, a lot of supply has come onto the market. This seems to be 1 week earlier than last year. This results in a huge price drop, because the price of the new harvest amounts to €165 per ton, free of charge (-€35).
If we look at the graph below, the price for the new harvest is still slightly above the level of 2018. In that year the price was €160 per tonne free at the farm (week 28). Compared to the 5-year average, the price is approximately €10 higher, because over that period the price for the new harvest amounted to €156 per tonne, delivered to the farm.
Stability reigns
Although the above indicates that there is more commotion in the market, traders still report that there is quiet is. The weather in the coming weeks will determine trade. This ensures that the price of silage maize remains stable at €67 per ton, free of charge. On the other hand, it should be noted that good quality is still sold for prices above €70.
The price of perennial ryegrass remains at €150 per tonne free at farm this week. The price of silage grass also remains unchanged and is back to €50 per tonne, free of charge. The price for spent grain is still under pressure, but this has not yet affected the price. This remains at €2,15 per percent dry matter.
The demand for feed potatoes is actually good, which means it exceeds the very limited supply. This means that the price will rise this week to €45 per tonne free at the farm. It is expected that more supply will not become available for the time being, which means that the price will remain high.
All changes and prices can be found in our database.