The grazing season is almost over and most livestock farmers have switched to winter rations. This is also noticeable in the feed trade. The regular work continues well, there are not many outliers. According to traders, this also fits the time of year.
Due to the wetness of the past few weeks, most cows no longer go outside and feeding fresh grass is also over on many farms. Many companies have therefore switched to the winter ration. In broad terms the feeding strategy is complete. It mainly requires some fine-tuning of the composition.
The prices for by-products are at a relatively high level. Sufficient availability and fast delivery are also not guaranteed. Livestock farmers are always looking for cheaper alternatives and every now and then a product stream comes along that is slightly more interesting price-wise, but those are the exceptions. The by-product market is fairly stable at the moment. Supply and demand are nicely balanced. This is also reflected in the DCA Indicative Price for spent grain, which remains the same as last week at €4,05 per percent dry matter. Feed potatoes remain difficult to obtain. The DCA Indicative Price is €45 per tonne.
Little grass silage
Good silage is also difficult to obtain. The demand is there, but livestock farmers who sometimes sell something in other years now keep the grass themselves. The DCA Indicative Price for good silage grass, delivered loose in the silo to the farmer, remains the same as last week at €80 per tonne. Due to the wide variety of silage - from the row silage, in round or square bales and differences in quality - that is offered in combination with little trade, there are large differences in the prices quoted by the trade. There is limited demand for silage maize among most traders. Something does happen, but it usually involves a few loads that are often ensiled with a by-product. The DCA Indicative Price for silage maize this week amounts to €100 per tonne.
The demand for straw has calmed down again. A few traders have some additional demand from arable farming for covering carrots. Normal work continues in livestock farming. The DCA Indicative Price for both wheat and barley straw is €140 per tonne. Some traders charge €5 more for barley straw. The demand for grass seed hay remains stable. No tons are sold, but several loads are made every week, several traders report.
The DCA Indicative Price for grass seed hay ranges from €145 for English rye to €155 for red or tall fescue. In dairy farming, the demand for meadow hay is limited. Most trade is done at riding schools and private individuals. The DCA Indicative Price for meadow hay remains the same as last week at €190 per tonne.
Click here for an overview of the DCA Indicative Prices for Roughage