Due to the prolonged drought, the grass and maize harvest leaves a lot to be desired in some places. That is why people are eager to inquire about alternatives, although it is going too far to speak of a panic situation.
"We are indeed seeing an increasing demand for by-products," says Jan Webbink of ForFarmers. According to him, demand depends on each region. "Information is given in particular from the sandy soils."
Take stock
It goes too far for Webbink to speak of panic. "Many dairy farmers still have silage in stock from previous years." Feed supplies are also sometimes exchanged on a local scale. According to Webbink, livestock farmers would be wise to take stock of their farm. "On this basis, we can switch when necessary."
Webbink points to products such as spent grain and corngold as alternatives to the silage corn. Pressed beet pulp is also an option, but it is not yet available. According to Webbink, those who have not purchased pressed pulp in advance have little chance of still purchasing volumes.
Dairy farmers can also switch by including more concentrates in the ration. "The solutions can differ greatly per business situation." Webbink advises livestock farmers to have a plan on how to bridge the coming winter period.
No fourth sales round
Kai Kikkers, Feed Director at Duynie, also notes an increasing demand for by-products. "Beetroot pulp can be a good addition to rations." He assures that livestock farmers who have purchased pressed pulp in advance will receive it as agreed. Deliveries will start sometime in September, Kikkers expects. "However, I think the chance that there will be a fourth sales round in the south is small."
In addition to Webbink, Kikkers also points to corngold and spent grain. "These products are normally available at this time." According to Kikkers, spent grain could become more expensive because beer factories usually reduce production during the autumn and winter period scale back.
Steam peels scarcer?
Residual flows from the potato industry are also an alternative, but are currently in very limited supply. According to Kikkers, this is normal at this time of year, because the processors are switching to the new harvest. However, the effect is greater than in other years. "Some factories are even standing still now, because the harvest is delayed."
Due to the poor growing conditions, the potato harvest at lower volumes. According to Kikkers, this means that it is not certain that potato steam peels will become scarce. "This also depends on the quality and criteria that the factories will use." According to Kikkers, starch potatoes suffer more from the drought than chip potatoes. "That is why pressed fibers are probably becoming(er) scarce."
Make it stick-tight
Duynie is also working on making liquid protein products stab-proof. "This could offer a solution for livestock farmers without silo capacity," says Kikkers. An example of this is wheat yeast concentrates, such as Protiwanze.