The mood on the roughage market is fluctuating. Demand for by-products is still picking up somewhat. The straw harvest is progressing at a rapid pace, but traders are noticing that livestock farmers are very hesitant in the hope that the price will fall further. There is currently little trade in silage grass, partly due to the drought.
There is quite a bit of trade in straw, but it is not really booming. According to traders, livestock farmers are somewhat deterred by the relatively high prices. Traders do not expect the price to really drop in the coming weeks. Normally the price drops around the grain harvest, but that effect is hardly present this season. Arable farmers look at the minerals that are removed with the straw and calculate what it costs to compensate for that discharge with (artificial) fertilizer. If it does not fit, the chopper is easily turned on. On the other hand, prices for pressing, loading and transport have increased. Straw therefore remains relatively expensive. The DCA Indicative Price for straw has taken a small step back this week and amounts to €125 per tonne for both wheat and barley straw.
The demand for by-products is and remains good. Several suppliers are noticing that the demand for spent grains is even increasing somewhat. The grass growth is moderate and in order to maintain good milk among the cows, supplements are sought in the ration. Beer spent grain is a popular product for this. The DCA Indicative Price remains the same as last week at €3,60 per percent dry matter. Due to the increasing demand, a price increase in the short term by various suppliers cannot be ruled out. The supply of feed potatoes remains meager. "Potatoes are good for the price and then factories can suddenly use everything," said a forage trader. The DCA Indicative Price remains unchanged at €45 per tonne.
Grass seed hay season almost complete
The trade in grass seed hay is calming down again. In the south, by far the most hay is pressed under good conditions and/or delivered to the customer or driven into the barn. More pressing needs to be done in the north, but rain last weekend did not benefit the quality of the grass seed hay. Grass seed hay prices range from €125 to €140 per tonne depending on the variety. The trade in meadow hay is bumping along a bit. It is not really busy, but regular customers do stick to the market, according to traders. The DCA Indicative Price for meadow hay is €175 per tonne.
There is little trade in silage. Partly due to the current drought, there is little interest in selling silage grass. On the other hand, the relatively high prices also put a bit of a brake on demand. Companies with little grass of their own remain on the market. However, the current prices do not invite you to build up a large stock. The DCA Indicative Price is €75 per tonne. The trade in corn is also quiet. The regular work continues, but not much else is released. The drought also plays a role here, making livestock farmers cautious about offering. The DCA Indicative Price remains unchanged at €85 per tonne.