Major differences in demand on the roughage market

By-products are and will remain in high demand. The supply of products such as pressed fibers and potato steam peels remains stable. "We sometimes have to say no and that goes a bit against your nature as a seller," according to a trader. The DCA Indicative Price for spent grain remains the same as last week at €4,05 per percent dry matter. Feed potatoes still remain scarce. The DCA Indicative Price for feed potatoes remains at €45 per tonne.

A stroke of luck on the tight by-products market is that extra beet pulp has become available this week. Due to favorable weather this autumn, there was still considerable growth in the sugar beets. The higher beet yield also means that more pressed pulp is available than previously assumed in this campaign.

Healthy question
The peak in demand for straw from the bulb sector is largely behind us. Now it is mainly the livestock farmers who are the buyers. This has no influence on the price. The DCA Indicative Price for both wheat and barley straw is €135 per tonne. There remains a healthy demand for grass seed hay. "We do some freight every week. That has been different," according to a trader. The DCA Indicative Price remains at €135 to €145 per tonne depending on the variety. The price of meadow hay also remains unchanged compared to last week at €190 per tonne.

The trade in silage grass and silage maize is very quiet. There is a demand for good silage grass, but it is not often offered for sale, according to various traders. The DCA Indicative Price is €75 per tonne, but there is limited trade. There is little demand for silage maize. The harvest has only just ended and most livestock farmers have enough corn to keep going for the time being. The DCA Indicative Price remains at €95 per tonne. Here too it must be noted that there is hardly any trade.