Whether it is due to the relatively wet and somewhat colder weather so far or not, the demand for forage remains high for this time of year. One trader is busier than the other, but complaints that there is little to do you hardly hear.
With a number of dry years still fresh in their memories, livestock farmers are reluctant to cash in on roughage left over this season. Better to be embarrassed than to be embarrassed is the prevailing thought. It seems that there are not many livestock farmers who have plenty of stock. In addition, we are not heading for a very early spring, as it seems now. The changes to the CAP with the buffer strips do not help confidence among livestock farmers. The roughage market therefore continues to be characterized by shortages.
It is difficult to get information about what happens in the by-products. There is commotion on the international raw materials markets and this normally also affects the by-products market. In addition, waiting times have partly decreased with various suppliers. In the meantime, demand for by-products remains good for this time of year. There is little chance that we will have an early first cut and some livestock farmers like to keep something on hand to supplement the ration if the first cut is disappointing in terms of content. One expects that the by-products market is at a tipping point, while another thinks that we will still have a demand market in the coming weeks. The DCA Indicative Price for spent grain has remained the same as last week at €4,10 per percent dry matter. The Indicative Price for feed potatoes also remains the same at €60 per tonne, although feed potatoes remain difficult to obtain.
Demand market
Good silage grass remains in demand. That hasn't changed this week either. The offer doesn't exactly last. Buyers, possibly deterred by the relatively high price, postpone purchases. If they call now, they expect the trucks with grass in the slot silo almost a day later. That is a big deal for forage traders. The DCA Indicative Price for silage remains the same as last week at €110 per tonne. The demand for silage maize is also good. The DCA Indicative Price for corn has taken a small step up this week to €110 per tonne.
The trade in hay and straw is also picking up. One forage trader has some extra demand for hay, while the next has added some extra loads of straw. No shocking shifts, by the way, but the mood does become a bit more settled. Some traders have to look hard to find extra nice hay or straw. The prices for meadow hay amount to €190 per tonne. The DCA Indicative Price for wheat and barley straw is €145 per tonne. There is little trade in grass seed hay. The DCA Indicative Price ranges from €145 to €155 per tonne depending on the variety.