Spring spreading is nearing its end in many areas now that most of the field work has been completed. This does not apply everywhere, because there is still a lot of work to be done, especially in the south, because persistent precipitation continues to hinder agricultural work. In total, considerably less manure was spread this season. This, together with the already fuller manure silos and less storage space, is what contractors and manure transporters are expressing their concerns about now that they have a clear idea of how much manure they will have in their storage facilities for the summer.
In total, considerably less manure was spread this spring than in an average year, the result of the persistent and heavy rainfall. This makes the spreading season very similar to spring 2023, when there was also a lot of running and standing still due to the wet weather and ultimately less manure was spread. The difference is that the manure placement space has further decreased this season with the phasing out of derogation and other issues such as the tightening of nutrient contaminated areas. In addition, livestock farmers' manure stocks were already much higher at the start of this spreading season because they entered the winter months with full cellars last year.
Big differences
A call with contractors and manure transporters shows that the differences in manure sales are enormous and vary per area. Quite a bit has been done in the north and especially the center of the Netherlands, but the volumes of a 'normal year' are certainly not being achieved. Due to the wetness, some of the grain could not be fertilized and other crops were sometimes grown without liquid manure. "Many farmers have chosen not to spread manure due to the wet conditions. That saves having to drive over the plot with our material. On the other hand, others have pushed their boundaries with this market," says a contractor, referring to on the higher prices that fertilizer buyers were able to absorb. In addition, not everyone could be helped to spread manure, because many arable farmers were in a hurry to apply the crops.
In the south, significantly less manure was spread due to the high rainfall. A lot still needs to be done here for this time of year, such as planting potatoes and sowing corn, so there are still volumes planned, although it remains to be seen what is still possible now that it remains wet. In the center and north, contractors indicate that the spreading season is almost over.
'A problem in winter'
Now that most of the spreading work has been completed, it is time to take stock of the fertilizer stocks. Some contractors and manure transporters indicate that their storages are far from empty, while their customers also have more manure in their pits than usual. Especially in the south of the Netherlands, transporters' warehouses are still quite full. Using more space in the autumn is then mentioned as a simple solution, but according to a manure transporter it is not that simple at all. "Of course we can apply fertilizer in the autumn and there is room on paper, but that can mainly be done on the grain stubble and that must be done before mid-September. Other crops are all later this season due to the wet and late spring and even potatoes are still being planted. You won't be able to get manure onto many of those plots before September 15. That and the amount of manure that is already there will really be a problem during the winter."
Industry organization Cumela also gave last week indicates that the sector really needs help and that the manure pits do not run out. They also warn that the placement space will decrease further next year and again in 2026 due to the phasing out of the derogation.
Manure quotations stable to slightly increasing
DCA's weekly fertilizer quotations remain stable to slightly increasing this week. In the southern regions, the collection contributions for both fattening pig manure and cattle liquid manure are increasing slightly. The regions in the center and east of the country remain stable. The average price for cattle slurry is at least €30 per cubic meter and is slightly higher or lower depending on the region and/or distance. Fattening pig slurry amounts to an average of around €33 per cubic meter, with collection contributions also varying greatly.
For a clear overview of all DCA fertilizer quotations per region, click here.