The demand for roughage remains relatively high for this time of year. It's not the busiest time of the year, of course, but traders are reporting good work. The availability of good grass silage and good silage maize is not enough. In the by-products, it is more of a search for a balance, but the demand is certainly not disappointing here either.
Part of the feed trade still consists of a need to buy from livestock farmers. Some farmers are very poor in feed and have to buy some extra. This may give a somewhat distorted picture in some products (especially silage grass).
The first cut of silage has largely been received, but it will take a while before it is preserved. Beautiful silage from the past harvest for direct delivery is difficult to obtain. The group of buyers is not large, but those who are looking do have the courage/must pay a lot of money. The DCA Indicative Price for silage this week amounts to €100 per tonne. Some traders note that little grass from the new harvest is offered for sale. Customers who would otherwise sell a load of bales now keep them for themselves.
Stable market
The trade in corn continues steadily, although there are significant differences in demand and prices. Transport distance and how quickly the customer wants delivery make a big difference at the moment. The DCA Indicative Price this week is €110 per tonne. There are also significant differences between traders in the by-products. In general, potato products are somewhat scarcer, while spent grain is slowly entering a buyers' market. The DCA Indicative Price for feed potatoes remains unchanged at €60 per tonne. Beer spent grain takes a small step back and this week averages €3,70 per percent dry matter.
The demand for meadow hay and straw remains stable. The DCA Indicative Price for both wheat and barley straw remains the same as last week at €145 per tonne and for meadow hay at €190 per tonne. Most forage traders have little to do in grass seed hay anymore. It's mainly about cleaning up the last leftovers in storage. The DCA Indicative Price for grass seed hay ranges from €150 to €160 per tonne, depending on the variety.