The ample supply of by-products and feed potatoes puts pressure on the forage trade and keeps the market in favor of buyers. At the same time, demand for roughage remains unevenly distributed regionally. Read more about price pressure and supply in the forage trade.
The by-product trade remains somewhat volatile. Supply is abundant, and various suppliers indicate they have their work cut out for them to get everything placed. If you, as a livestock farmer, have the space and want to build up a stock of one thing or another, or perhaps a combination of products, several suppliers say they are quite willing to negotiate prices. In short: it remains a true buyer's market. The DCA Indicative Price for brewers' spent grain takes a step back this week, settling at €3,15 per percent dry matter.
Selling products directly from arable farming is a real struggle. The supply of rejected onions is reasonable, but there are plenty of carrots and especially potatoes. Carrots are always a bit of a tricky product because, ideally, they need to be rinsed. With potatoes, there is some price variation depending on how they need to be delivered. For deliveries loaded over the hopper, not too far from the farmer, prices start at €0. If they need to go through a washing facility to remove the last bit of soil, prices approach €15 per ton. The DCA Indicative Price for feed potatoes comes in at €5 per ton this week.
Diesel impacts straw price
Straw is a fairly quiet market. There is a slightly increased supply of straw from abroad. However, this does not translate into lower prices. "Purchasing is slightly more favorable, but the advantage you gain from that is immediately offset by a higher diesel surcharge applied by transporters," according to a trader. Demand for wheat straw for stable use remains stable. According to some traders, there is slightly more demand for feed straw, whether barley straw or hammered straw. The DCA Indicative Price for wheat straw stands at €165 per ton. Barley straw is €5 above that.
Good silage remains in demand, but supply is certainly limited. Demand is concentrated mainly in the south of the country, while supply is more concentrated in the north. The DCA Indicative Price for silage remains stable at €90 per ton. There is trading in maize, but it is not particularly busy for this time of year. According to traders, livestock farmers are partly turning to these due to an ample supply of by-products at competitive prices. The DCA Indicative Price for maize silage stands at €80 per ton.
Trade in hay is also limited. Pasture hay goes mainly to horses. The price for pasture hay stands at €200 per ton. With grass seed hay, quality is always a concern. Beautifully dried harvested grass seed hay remains in demand. The DCA Indicative Price remains stable at €160 to €180 per ton, depending on the variety.