Inside Manure
High cultivation costs make slurry popular
The early grain harvest has ensured that the spreading of manure has already passed its peak. The spreading of manure on grassland also saw a revival. Despite these developments, not all fertilizer prices show a logical price development, according to the fertilizer quotations of DCA-Markets.
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Choose the subscription that suits youThe rain in recent days has made a positive contribution to the spreading of manure. Particularly on clay, intermediaries report that a considerable amount of manure can be spread. All the space that the arable farmers think they have is used if possible.
Make up for costs
However, the enthusiasm of arable farmers to use manure has little to do with the agricultural value of manure. For many arable farmers, the amounts to be paid are desperately needed to compensate part of the cultivation costs incurred. This concerns, for example, the costs incurred when irrigating the crops.
Much earlier than in other years, manure spreading has already reached its highest point. It is a logical consequence of the particularly early grain harvest. This also raises questions the need of extending the spreading season.
There has been slightly less rainfall in Germany, which means that the pace of spreading manure has slowed down. Exporters indicate that they are not losing the desired volumes and that legislation and regulations are causing reluctance among arable farmers. Controlling authorities are critical of what is and is not possible within the law.
Price developments
All developments together result in minimal decreases in the selling price of pig manure. For example, Deurne and Barneveld record lower prices (-€0,50). That minus yields prices of €27,50 and €25 per tonne respectively. The bottom of the spread in Dutch prices increases (due to a plus of €0,50 in Markelo) to €24 per tonne.
Remarkably, the sales costs for cattle slurry are increasing. The Lichtenvoorde region has a plus €0,50 and amounts to €17,50 per tonne, Markelo increases by €1 to €16,50 per tonne and Deurne records the largest increase (+€1,50). This means that the price will go to €20 per tonne, making manure sales there just as expensive as in Tilburg.
The sales costs of poultry manure remain stable. It means a lower end of €16 per tonne in Uden and €28 per tonne at the higher end. That price applies in both Markelo and Leeuwarden.
Prices for pig manure had risen sharply in the recent period.