Really large volumes of roughage are generally not converted at the moment. Forage traders generally agree on this. There is, however, a distinction between companies that are busy and traders where things are still running smoothly.
In areas where livestock farmers generally farm less intensively, the shortage of roughage is often not too bad. And if someone is short of food, something can often be arranged with a neighbor or through the mediation of a contractor. In the more intensive regions the picture is slightly different. Farmers have been cautious about building up too large stocks due to the relatively high feed prices. Now that the grass is only growing moderately, some livestock farmers are becoming a bit nervous (although it is only April 4). However, the supply of good roughage is limited and if you, as a forage trader, still want to deliver, you have to do everything you can to get hold of feed 'and then you are just busy', according to a trader.
The demand for silage is strong for this time of year according to several insiders. Some livestock farmers are stuck and that is creating tension in the market. However, livestock farmers who have plenty of grass are not eager to sell anything and if they want something, good money is asked for. The DCA Indicative Price for silage grass is €110 per tonne. For livestock farmers who are less critical of quality, it is easier to obtain grass silage at prices well below €100 per tonne. Demand for silage maize remains strong, despite the relatively high price. For high-quality maize, the DCA Indication Price remains the same as last week at €105 per tonne.
Demand market
The market for by-products shows no significant changes this week. It still remains a real demand market. Waiting times are not long, but several suppliers report that it is still a challenge to get all customers delivered on time. And because the farmer has relatively little stock in stock, you notice that demand among livestock farmers has not yet decreased in anticipation of the first cut. The DCA Indicative Price for spent grain is €4,10 per percent dry matter. The supply of feed potatoes is also limited, to put it mildly. "Everything that still somewhat resembles a potato goes to the processors," said a trader. What comes onto the market for feed is often small obsolete lots of oversized seed potatoes and that has to fit just fine. The DCA Indicative Price for feed potatoes this week amounts to €60 per tonne.
It is not a madhouse in the hay and straw trade, but it is easy to get away from it, according to traders. Here too, the supply is limited, but this ensures that the market remains reasonably balanced. The DCA Indicative prices for straw remain unchanged at €145 per tonne for both wheat and barley straw. Meadow hay shows a similar picture to the straw market and here too the price remains stable at €190 per tonne. Grass seed hay is quiet and prices range from €145 to €155 per tonne depending on the variety.