Things remain unsettled in the by-products. A wide range offers livestock farmers something to choose from and, more importantly, savings on feed costs. Straw is actually becoming a bit more expensive. Furthermore, it is mainly a matter of waiting for better weather so that mowing can take place and the cows can go outside.
The grass is there now, but now try to get it away. The ground is soaking wet. On farms where the cows go outside, it is not even easy to group the cows. Then just wait. Mowing and ensiling everything is also a challenge. In several regions you don't even have to think about going into the meadow with a tractor (especially on the lower plots). This is regardless of the fact that the weather reports do not show a period of a few consecutive dry days. Some mowing was done here and there in mid-April and, in retrospect, that might have turned out to be a good decision. "It's because the nights are cold, otherwise the grass on the first plots would already be sprouting next week," said an insider.
There is not much trade in silage. The regular work continues, but there are few real panic purchases. The DCA Indicative Price for silage remains stable at €80 per tonne. There are also few changes in silage maize. Corn is quite easy to get, but really good corn is not widely available, according to traders. The DCA Indicative Price remains the same at €95 per tonne.
By-products in motion
Just like in recent weeks, there remains unrest in the by-products. One trader has a large supply of potato by-products, while another trader has to sell residual products from the wheat processing industry. Several livestock farmers are also switching to a ration with fresh grass. It is shifting on all sides. There really is something to choose from for livestock farmers. If you, as a buyer, can also handle liquid residual flows, you have countless options as a dairy farmer. Beer spent grain remains a fighting market for suppliers. The DCA Indicative Price is taking a step back this week to €2,15 per percent dry matter. Feed potatoes remain scarce and the DCA Indicative Price remains the same at €60 per tonne.
Straw is becoming a tight market. Supply from Germany and Denmark is very limited. We mainly rely on France. French farmers and traders have also noticed this and are asking more for the remaining stocks. Demand for straw is good for this time of year. The DCA Indicative Price for both wheat and barley straw increases to €145 per tonne. There are few changes in meadow hay and the price remains the same at €200 per tonne. There is little trade in grass seed hay anymore. The DCA Indicative Price remains the same at €185 per tonne. However, several traders have run out of stock.