Inside Enter
First cut causes confusion on the feed market
In parts of the country the first cut is now in the hole, while in other places the grass has not yet been mowed. Many traders find it difficult to put an unambiguous price tag on silage, because there are many factors involved. Other feed prices remain relatively stable, except for the straw price.
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The straw price is now rising steadily and this week is €110 per tonne (free of charge). The increase is because the supply of straw has decreased somewhat, which means that supply and demand are no longer in balance. The low straw price in recent weeks has meant that growers sometimes prefer to leave the straw rather than sell it below cost price.
First cut causes unclear price
Now that the first cut is in the hole in some places, confusion would be the last thing you expect. Yet that is the sentiment in the market. Traders indicate that it is difficult to give a clear price as it is not yet known what will be available and what the quality of the product is. In addition, most dairy farmers desperately need the grass itself, so it remains to be seen whether anything will become available at all.
The price of the available silages remains at an average of €60 per tonne. The quality of these pits fluctuates enormously and good, dry pits are difficult to obtain. Livestock farmers are willing to pay more money for good silages, sometimes up to €65 per tonne, while wet autumn silages sometimes sell for well below €60 per tonne.
Beer spent grain and feed potatoes
The price of spent grain and feed potatoes will remain the same this week. Beer spent grain is still listed at €2,70 in the south and €2,85 in the north. Supply is still low, meaning demand exceeds supply. It is now true that dairy farmers are more likely to opt for other alternatives, because the price is now quite high.
Feed potatoes are trading stable this week at €30 per tonne. The supply of potatoes is relatively large now that the support scheme is known. It remains to be seen how long this price will last. Rumors are circulating that products are also being exported abroad.
Hay, grasses and corn stable
The prices of meadow hay, perennial ryegrass, red fescue, tall fescue, meadow meadow and maize remain stable at €180, €120, €150, €130, €135 and €70 per tonne (free of charge) respectively. For all products, supply and demand are reasonably stable. Demand for both meadow hay and silage maize is somewhat higher than normal at this time of year. Livestock farmers are still concerned about the drought. Grass grows poorly, so more hay needs to be fed. There is also some unrest about the corn harvest.