There is plenty of activity in the fields for many livestock farmers. If not in the grass, then with the sowing of maize. The forage trade is relying mainly on regular work this week. Most of the excitement lies in by-products. Read more about developments in the feed market.
Last week, a considerable amount of grass was already mowed and ensiled, and contractors have plenty standing this week as well. However, there are differences within the Netherlands. In the central and southern regions, the large bulk of the first cut of grass will be gone after this week, according to insiders, whereas in the north, livestock farmers will have to be a little more patient because growth started somewhat later there.
Trade in silage from the previous harvest is tough, according to some traders. It is, of course, still very early in the season, but after a good month without significant rain, some sellers already believe we are heading for a dry year and are asking prices to match. There is certainly demand for good silage, but not at any price, so to speak. The DCA Indicative Price for silage ready for immediate feeding stands at €80 per ton.
The sowing of maize is proceeding just as smoothly as the grass harvest. Cold weather was a reason for some livestock farmers to wait a little longer, but now that it is set to get warmer towards the weekend, those customers also want the maize sown. Silage maize from the previous harvest is reasonably available. Some traders report that the maize trade is on the quiet side, while others have their usual volumes for this time of year. The region also plays a role in this. The DCA Indicative Price for silage maize stands at €75 per ton.
Biofuel
The market for by-products remains somewhat tight. Broadly speaking, products from the grain processing industry are readily available. Wheat yeast concentrate (TGC), for example, is in ample supply. Due to relatively high oil and fuel prices, the bioethanol industry is running at full capacity, and TGC is a residual stream from this sector. Of course, as a livestock farmer, you need to be able to handle liquid streams to make use of them. Brewers' spent grain is also readily available. Some suppliers have to push harder than others to secure a market, but brewers' spent grain remains a buyer's market. The DCA Indicative Price remains unchanged at €3,15 per percent dry matter.
It is difficult to keep track of what is happening in the potato sector. Processors are not operating at full capacity, and partly as a result, the supply of steam-peeled potatoes, chips, or fried potato products is limited. Quite a few price increases are being implemented to curb demand somewhat. With a processing industry taking it easy, one would expect the supply of feed potatoes to increase. However, that is not the case either. There is considerable interest in ensiling potatoes together with grass, but many customers are being turned down simply because the feed potatoes are not available right now. The DCA Indicative Price for feed potatoes is rising to €15 per ton this week.
Regular business continues in hay and straw. "You can definitely tell the livestock are out in the fields," says a trader. Hammered straw or barley straw, used to feed alongside spring grass for extra structure, remains in good demand. Regular customers with, for example, goats that are always kept in the barn, naturally buy what they need. The DCA Indicative Price for wheat straw remains stable at €165 per ton. Barley straw is €5 above that. There is still quite a bit of trade in meadow hay for this time of year. The DCA Indicative Price comes in at €200. Business is not busy at most traders' for grass seed hay. "An occasional load for the enthusiast," is a comment that comes up when it comes to grass seed hay. Prices range from €165 to €180 per ton depending on the variety and whether it is cut or not.