There seems to be little movement on the roughage market. The trade is not particularly busy. It is mainly a start-up this first week after the Christmas holidays. This is especially noticeable in the by-products, of which there is more supply. Sellers of straw seem to think that buyers will come by themselves if they keep the doors closed for a while.
When it comes to by-products, supply and demand are not entirely in line. Some products are and remain scarce, while other by-products are becoming more widely available now that processors are starting up again. Critically examining the ration and seeing if there are cheaper alternatives available can be worthwhile, according to some insiders.
Brewers grains seem to be becoming slightly more available. In recent weeks, it was mainly a matter of keeping regular customers fed and planning well with the available stock. Now there is a bit more air. The stock of brewers grains is certainly not yet excessively large, but there is a turnaround. The DCA Indicative Price for brewers grains is taking a small step back this week to €3,70 per percent dry matter.
The DCA Indicative Price for straw this week is €175 per tonne. Opinions differ on which way the market is leaning. One trader does not expect any major price changes, while others complain that sellers are having difficulty releasing straw. "Those French arable farmers think: They will come anyway", according to a forage trader. Sellers in Spain, Germany and Denmark are also holding their ground.
The hay trade is very quiet. Good meadow hay often goes to horses and less to livestock farming. The DCA Indicative Price for meadow hay remains the same this week at €195 per ton. Coarse dike or natural hay for structure is available from around €160. The DCA Indicative Price for grass seed hay is above that and remains the same as last week at €180 per ton. Grass seed hay is and remains difficult to obtain and there is therefore little trade in it.
The DCA Indicative Price for silage maize from the 2024 harvest also remains the same at €85 per tonne. On the one hand, it is expected that there will be sufficient supply from around March/April. Demand, which is currently somewhat disappointing, is also expected to increase later. Trade is currently going well, so to speak, but it is not busy.
The DCA Indicative Price for silage grass is €80 per tonne, with the statement that the price reflects a better quality. Silage grass is available in sufficient quantities, but many livestock farmers prefer to keep good grass themselves. It is mainly the autumn cuts that are offered and there are fewer customers for that.
The DCA Indicative Price for feed potatoes remains the same this week at €50 per tonne, with the comment that there is little trade. You have to rely on somewhat smaller batches of sorted seed potatoes. Furthermore, few potatoes are spilled and the industry picks up a great deal.