There are some inconsistencies in the feed market. Byproducts and residuals are a real buyer's market. Regular work in hay and straw is going well. The corn trade is picking up, and good silage for dairy cows or goats is downright difficult to find.
Milk prices are under pressure, and the manure spreading season is approaching. This certainly doesn't help the mood among livestock farmers. "The conversations aren't always pleasant when you visit a customer," says one trader. A bright spot in this market, however, is that several by-products are attractively priced. "If you have a feed mixer and the space to store some, whether in a sluice or not, by-products are a nice addition to the ration, allowing you to save on concentrates," says one supplier.
There are some differences between suppliers, but generally speaking, the potato processing industry offers ample supply. There's considerable room for negotiation for livestock farmers, especially if they're somewhat flexible about what they want and when it can be delivered, as some suppliers suggest. Onions, carrots, and potatoes that aren't suitable for processing are readily available. In fact, some insiders indicate that it's a real struggle to get everything placed. The DCA indicative price for feed potatoes is €20 per tonne.
Brewers' grains differ slightly from most other byproducts. Every livestock farmer knows them, and they're naturally available year-round. This makes them a relatively popular product. The significant price pressure we see on other residual streams does have some impact on brewers' grains, but according to insiders, it's not a case of having to scramble to sell them. The DCA indicative price for brewers' grains is €3,70 per percent dry matter.
More supply but also more demand
Regular work in hay and straw is progressing well. Some traders are noticing that things are getting busier, both on the supply and demand sides. Getting straw from France or Spain here is still a challenge. "There's plenty of transport if you pay," notes one trader. In other words, the supply of cheap return shipments carrying straw is dwindling. The DCA price for wheat straw remains stable at €160 per tonne and for barley straw at €165 per tonne. Meadow hay is at €200, and grass seed hay ranges from €165 to €180 per tonne.
Good first- or second-cut silage is and remains in demand. If not for dairy cows, then goat farmers are eager to get it. However, the supply is disappointing. Natural grass or silage harvested in the fall is plentiful, but most farmers keep good grass for their own use, which is good for milk production. Organic silage is even more difficult to obtain, according to one trader. The DCA indicative price for good silage is €80 per tonne.
There's been a slight increase in trade in silage maize, but some traders note that the mood in the livestock sector isn't conducive to spending a fortune on maize. The cold in the north of the country is also a contributing factor, according to some. "If it's not necessary, we don't bother with slippery conditions and prefer to postpone driving over a pit for a day," says one trader. The DCA Indicative Price for silage maize remains stable at €80 per tonne.