Roughage remains expensive and farmers are cautious

The first cut of grass is not yet heavy in many places, but can gradually be mowed. The showery weather predicted for this week is only a spoilsport. This has not yet had a major effect on the roughage market.

Demand for silage grass is decreasing slightly
Good silage grass is difficult to obtain and therefore remains expensive. There is less trade in silage than a few weeks ago, but that is normal. According to most traders, the demand for silage remains reasonably good for this time of year, which is probably caused by the cold month of April. The average indicative price remains at €72,50 per tonne. There are large price differences between good and very good silage and between the different regions in the Netherlands.

Some traders report that the demand for silage maize is slowly starting to pick up. This is not yet the case with other traders. The wet conditions when sowing corn, especially in the Northern Netherlands, may have something to do with this. Most traders agree that the relatively high price of silage maize in combination with a moderate liquid position is slowing down sales for many livestock farmers. The indicative price for silage maize remains the same as last week at €70 per tonne.

By-products remain in demand
The demand for by-products and residual products remains good according to most traders. The price of spent grain is the same as last week at €2,65 per percent dry matter. Feed potatoes are a little easier to obtain this week than last week, but the supply remains limited while there is considerable demand for them. The price therefore remains the same as last week at €42,50 per ton delivered to the farmer.

Straw is becoming increasingly difficult to obtain. Supplies in France and Germany are decreasing and forage traders are moving to Denmark, for example, to obtain straw. It will take a few months before the new harvest becomes available. Farmers are waiting, but several traders advise not to wait too long if you still need straw in the coming months. It is expensive, but a price increase seems more likely than a price decrease. The price for wheat straw this week will be approximately €150 per tonne delivered free to the farmer. Barley straw is on average €5 cheaper per tonne.

Hay is running out
Most forage traders are not doing much in grass seed hay at the moment. There is not much demand and stocks are also running low. Traders who did some grass seed hay last week are quoting prices of around €150 per tonne. Meadow hay is also not widely available at the moment. Supplies of good hay are declining rapidly. There seems to be a gap between the old and new harvest. New hay is usually not available before the beginning of June. Due to the cold spring so far, this could be a bit later this year. Although a lot can change in a few weeks, according to some traders.