The feed market is currently in a waiting phase. Prices are mainly trading sideways, although the price for meadow hay is taking a step down. For most (dairy) farmers, however, it will have to wait for the next 2 weeks until the first new maize for silage arrives.
The fact that there is not much trade on the feed market at the moment is also because (dairy) farmers are waiting for the new harvest of silage corn comes on the market. According to traders, a number of early plots are already being harvested, but nobody wants to reveal anything about the price. It is expected that it will be below last year's level, because a lot of product from the previous harvest is still available. That would mean that the price is below level of €72,50 per tonne franco farm.
The maize from the old crop remains stable this week at an average of €65 per tonne free on the farm. The good quality (39% to 40% dry matter, 380 grams of starch and 1.000 VEM) is still sold for a price of around €70 per tonne free from the farm. The lower end of the price range is around €50 per tonne.
Potato products are scarce
There is an increasing demand for potato products, although the supply is very scarce; potato peelings and pressed fibers are almost impossible to obtain. The price for potato fibers this week is €36 per tonne free at the farm. The market is expected to run a little faster next week, because Avebe will then open more factories. Traders also expect more supply later in the season.
On the other hand, there is more than sufficient supply of straw, which means that the price last week forced to take a step down. This week the price (both wheat and barley straw) remains stable at €100 per tonne franco-farm, although the price is nowhere near last year. In 2018, the price for barley straw in week 36 was €130 per tonne free on the farm. In Germany and France, the price for straw is at a comparable level.
The price for spent grains also remains stable, trading at €2,25 per percent dry matter this week, although in some areas there is also trading at €2,30 per percent dry matter. The demand for corngold has weakened somewhat, bringing the price for this product this week to €2,35 per percent dry matter. Not only is the demand for corngold less, because there is also almost no demand for perennial ryegrass. The price will remain this week at €110 per tonne franco farm.
Silage is also not in demand, which means that the price remains stable at €50 per tonne free on the farm. This means that the price has been at this level since the beginning of May. The price for meadow hay does take a huge step down, because the average price this week amounts to €140 per tonne free from farm (-€10). It should be noted that the top end is still at €150, but this is a very good quality product.