Shrinkage of livestock, use of compound feed decreases

Last year, Dutch livestock farmers gave their animals a total of 1,8% less compound feed than in 2018, the latest figures from Nevedi show. The decrease in most sectors is caused by a shrinkage of the livestock.

In total, 11,9 million tons of compound feed was sold in the Netherlands in 2019. In 2018, this was still more than 12,1 million tons. Nevedi explains the contraction on the basis of the figures from the May census of Statistics Netherlands. This shows that the livestock population is shrinking in cattle as well as in poultry and other animal groups.

Shrinkage
According to the May count, the number of cattle has decreased by 3% compared to last year. This is reflected to a lesser extent in the sales of compound feed. It is estimated that the decline in compound feed is partly due to the fact that dairy farmers give more concentrates per animal in order to generate or maintain a high production. In total, 4,14 million tons of compound feed were sold in 2019, 0,22 million tons less than last year.

There is also a decline in the livestock population for poultry, especially in laying poultry. According to Nevedi, this has to do with the lower prices of eggs. Incidentally, it does not have to be due to the deteriorated market situation, because the situation is less unfavorable for broilers and here too there is a small decrease.

Pig feeds
There is a contraction in pigs, but less than expected. This is partly due to the shortages in Asia due to the African swine fever and the corona crisis. According to Nevedi, the decline in compound feed sales is caused by a number of pig farms that have stopped using a relatively large amount of compound feed compared to liquid feed and simple dry and moisture-rich feeds.

This year, sales amounted to 4,327 million tons of compound feed to the pig sector. In 2018, 4,421 million tons of compound feed was sold.

Outlook
Although 2020 will be a special year due to the corona crisis, Nevedi believes that the downward trend that has started will continue. They do not consider it possible to make a firm statement.

Jorine Cosse

Editor at Boerenbusiness who studies the dairy, pig (meat) and feed markets. Jorine analyzes the roughage market on a weekly basis and periodically the compound feed market.

j.cosse@boerenbusiness. Nl

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