Differences in grass growth are large. In parts of the Netherlands, especially the south and center, a nice first cut of grass was harvested last week. In the north and east there is generally slightly less grass and livestock farmers are therefore less in a hurry to mow.
Due to the cold nights that we had for a long time this spring, the growth only really started in April. The last few weeks it has been going fast. With the dry weather, and towards the weekend also somewhat warm, there is also little reason to hurry with mowing if the grass is not ready for it before the weekend. Although of course many farmers get itchy feet when the neighbour is busy.
There is not much trade in silage grass. Most farmers keep the first cut grass on the stem themselves. In grass from the 2024 harvest, supply and demand do not match. What is for sale is generally good but not top quality. This is partly because last year a lot of grass from the first or second cut was mown just too late due to the weather. Another factor is that farmers usually do not offer the very best grass for sale. Buyers of silage grass are looking for really top stuff. If it is not for the cows, then it is goat farms that are on the market according to traders. The DCA Indicative Price for silage grass takes a step back this week to €75 per tonne. This is just good grass, but not the absolute top.
There is still good demand for corn. It is not that customers are pushing hard, but every time there are some requests. Not everything is answered immediately, but the flow is good, some traders note. Silage corn is a product that almost every livestock farmer is familiar with and that is available all year round. If you want to keep the milk down, something is needed besides grass and then corn is a trusted safe choice for many. Due to the relatively good demand, but also because corn has to be brought from further away and that increases the transport costs, the DCA Indicative Price increases by €5 to €95 per ton. The range is wide with prices starting at €85 in the cheapest regions and rising to well into the €100s in the less favourably situated areas.
Small shifts in by-products
In the by-products, things are going well. In general, supply and demand are reasonably well balanced and if something threatens to become a bit tighter, most suppliers can offer an alternative well in advance. In the current market, it can be worthwhile to take a critical look at what is needed for the cattle and what is interesting in terms of costs. According to one supplier, the demand for brewers' grains is dropping somewhat, as is usual at this time of year, while another could still sell more than he currently has available. The prices mentioned for brewers' grains remain stable and the DCA Indicative Price is €3,30 per percent dry matter.
Until about six weeks ago, the supply of feed potatoes was not very high. That has changed completely since then. They are not being peddled, but various traders indicate that they have ample supply. It can be interesting, especially for livestock farmers who still have to make silage, to have feed potatoes delivered and to drive them into the pit with the grass. Contractors are generally not happy about that, but it is possible to have more potatoes delivered, regardless of the feeding speed. The DCA Indicative Price for pre-potatoes remains stable at €40 per tonne. A discount is possible for customers who want a larger quantity, according to several traders.
There is not much going on in hay and straw. There seems to be more than enough hay now. "If it stays dry, they could fight over it in two months," according to a forage trader. At the moment, it is mainly horse customers who remain on the market for hay. The price for meadow hay remains the same at €185 per ton. There are no strange movements in straw either. There is not much demand, but on the other hand, there is not much supply either. The DCA Indicative Price for both wheat and barley straw is €185 per ton. There is virtually no trade in grass seed hay and the price remains stable at €165 per ton.