The harvest of straw is almost over. Some traders still have to get rid of the last cleats that are still in the country. The first maize has now been chopped, but it will take a while before the harvest really starts. As a result, the price for the new maize has yet to settle.
It is warm at the moment and according to reports the warm weather will last until early next week. Corn in particular is expected to fully benefit from this. Both buyers and sellers keep quiet for a while and first want to see what else will grow. It is still difficult to estimate what the price for silage maize on stems will do.
Traders quote prices of €2.400 to €3.500 per hectare, but forage traders indicate that they have not yet recorded little or nothing. Wage workers make the most noise in that regard, either in the role of commission agent or trader. There is little trade in corn from the pit. The DCA Indicative Price for good corn remains stable at €110 per tonne. There is only a limited supply of leftovers to empty the silo, according to some traders.
With the upcoming corn harvest, there is also extra demand for by-products as a covering. However, supply is the limiting factor. Last week, extra beet pulp came onto the market, but several suppliers already had a waiting list, which effectively left little or nothing left for new customers. Traders also report no lack of interest in products such as potato press fiber or steam peelings.
Feed potatoes remain very difficult to obtain. The DCA Indicative Price is €60 per tonne. Beer spent grain also remains stable at €3,90 per percent dry matter.
Good hay weather
The dry, warm weather is being gratefully used to harvest a good autumn crop. However, with a few dry years still fresh in our minds, the enthusiasm to sell is limited. It's better to have some left over than to fall short next year, that seems to be the thinking. It is also quiet on the demand side. The DCA Indicative Price for good silage grass has taken a step back to €90 per tonne.
There is also limited trade in hay. Some farmers or traders are still trying to gain some meadow hay. But we are already in September and the days are quickly getting shorter. It is therefore quite possible that they will ultimately become foil bales. The DCA Indicative Price for meadow hay remains the same as last week at €190 per tonne. Grass seed hay remains at €150 per tonne for all varieties.
Straw prices vary widely. Traders who still have cleats outside for which there is no shed space dare to offer competitively. Especially if the straw is also black. Prices for golden yellow straw are at a significantly higher level, although most people are not in a hurry to sell yet. The DCA Indicative Price for wheat straw this week is based on good dry wheat straw from the field and amounts to €120 per tonne. The price for straw from the shed is €135 per tonne.