The trade in roughage is fairly easy. The demand for maize and various by-products in particular is holding up well. Due to the precipitation in recent weeks, the immediate panic about shortages of roughage has ebbed away.
"A little rain and everyone is immediately calmer," reports a trader. The relatively good milk price helps to keep trade running smoothly. "You just notice that grass is really the basis of the ration on many farms and livestock farmers are very price-conscious when considering which supplements are needed."
The demand for residual and by-products remains fairly stable. There are not many feed potatoes. The DCA Indicative Price remains the same as last week at €45 per tonne where available. "Carrot is easier to get," said a trader. There remains a fair amount of demand for brewer's grains, but sellers note that livestock farmers are skimping on rations and are a bit searching. The high demand for spent grain a month ago is over. The DCA Indicative Price remains the same at €3,55 per percent dry matter.
Less demand for silage
The demand for silage has weakened somewhat. Most livestock farmers have had their first cut covered in plastic for a few weeks. The demand for silage grass to bridge the period until the new grass is grown has therefore dried up. There remains a demand for good silage grass, especially from more intensive livestock farms. The DCA Indicative Price for silage grass remains unchanged at €75 per tonne. Demand for silage maize also remains relatively high, although it is difficult to find good maize silage. Once it is found, you will quickly lose the corn. The DCA Indicative Price remains at €80 per tonne.
There is not much trade in meadow and grass seed hay. Especially with grass seed hay, the quality is quite variable and that has negatively affected demand this season. In addition, the fact that the new harvest is not far away also plays a role. The DCA Indicative Price for grass seed hay ranges from €130 to €140 per tonne, depending on the variety. For meadow hay the indicative price is €185 per tonne. There is also limited trade in straw. There is sufficient supply and buyers are keeping calm. Regardless of necessary transactions, livestock farmers are waiting for the new harvest. That is normal for this time of year. The indicative price for both barley and wheat straw remains at €130 per tonne.