My Blog

Latest Feed Market Update 12/08/11

08/11/2011 18:48:00

Cereal and straight feed future prices have eased slightly from recent highs in the last month bring some hope of lower feed costs this winter for livestock farmers.

However despite some significant falls on wheat other raw materials have yet to follow suit with more modest falls to date.

Overall the impact of these price falls is likely to equate to no more than £10 per tonne on a typical 18% protein compound or blend compared to recent highs.

With the USDA report today reducing crop estimates on corn and wheat there is potential for these prices to bounce back sharply, but much will depend on world demand in these times of austerity.

for further info http://www.dairyconsultancyservices.com/Straights-Prices.html

maize trials

07/12/2011 08:10:00

Off to look at our maize trial sites on clients farms across wales today.

Good reports coming back on early planted crops which are well ahead of normal in terms of growth.

Later crops have been held back by the dry spring and cold june but growing fast now, all need plenty of heat now!

wheat prices heading south?

06/16/2011 00:21:00

At last a glimmer of hope on feed prices as uk wheat prices continue to head south.

Following recent rains and Russia lifting their export ban on wheat the last few days have seen sustained falls in prices for July onwards with todays LIFFE July price the lowest since November 2010 @ £175/ tonne.

We will be keeping a close eye on other straights to see if they follow suit.

Will this be a sustained drop, or just another blip on the commodities rollercoaster?

Feed market update 7th June

06/09/2011 10:33:00

http://www.dairyconsultancyservices.com/Straights-Prices.html

As second cut silage making begins and in some areas first cut continues, thoughts turn to next winters forage stock situation.

If forage stocks are likely to be tight it is well worth considering moist feeds such as brewers grains, or moist blends such as wessex gold or buckby best as a buffer feed now to conserve forage stocks for the coming winter when moist feed prices traditionally rise.

With continuing high concentrate prices moist blends will also make an economic alternative to traditional straights, blends and compounds.

We can still supply any of the above although supplies are running out fast so contact us for details.

We also have available a full range of grass and alternative forage seeds if looking to boost forage output this summer and autumn. For example stubble turnips could make a useful contribution to grazing as a catch crop following cereal harvesting this summer.

For the latest straights market update please click on the link below

http://www.dairyconsultancyservices.com/Straights-Prices.html

Neil moorhen

Dairy Consultancy Services

Tel 07795 373433 or email neilmoorhendcs@aol.com

Feed Market Update 25th May 2011

05/25/2011 23:38:00

The UK feed market continues to firm on the back of more worries over long term drought conditions in the south of the UK and across europe.

Wheat has been a roller coaster once again over the last week with the spot price rising and falling whilst the forward position has risen to meet current levels.

Energy straights have firmed following the moth balling of the ensus plant leading to a reduction in output of distillers products. This has had a knock on effect to other mid energy / protein feeds such as maize gluten and wheatfeed etc.

Moist feeds have been in great demand as fears grow over grass regrowth following silage cutting and grazing and the subsequent effect on forage availability for both summer grazing and buffer feeding, along with possible forage stock shortfalls for next winter.

We have options on brewers grains for clamping although supplies are very limited, as well as moist blends such as wessex gold and buckby best. Both are performing very well on farm in support of grazing shortfalls with excellent milk yield and quality.

With grazing shortages possible, now is a good time to look at those poor performing leys and ear mark them for reseeding this autumn. We have great deals on a comprehensive range of grass seeds from Horizon Seeds. It may also be worth considering planting forage crops such as kale and stubble turnips to improve forage supply over the summer.

For latest prices and availability on a full range of straights, blends and moist feeds give us a call on 07795 373433

UK heatwave and drought may lead to forage shortages

05/16/2011 18:31:00

The UK looks set for a prolonged dry spell with the mercury rising for a two week long heatwave predicted to start this saturday, making May the hottest recorded for 350 years. With the continuing lack of any significant rain apart from the few showers we have had in the last week we face the very real prospect of a severe drought across the country.

Average temperature in England so far this month was 13C (55F) – five degrees warmer than average and ranking it in the top 6% of hottest Mays since records began in 1659.

In April only 24% of average rainfall fell making it the driest April for 80 years, whilst parts of the country have had the driest March for almost half a century.

Whilst many farmers may have plenty of grazing at present, regrowth is likely to slow as the dry weather begins to bite.

First and second cut silage yields may also be significantly reduced due to the continuing dry weather, leading to the possibility of another winter of low forage stocks.

Moist feeds work well as a forage replacer and it may well pay to make the most of these now whilst prices are competitive and availability is still good, conserving forage stocks for late summer and next winter when moist feed prices will inevitably rise.

Moist blends such as Wessex Gold and Buckby Best can also provide an alternative to both forage and more expensive traditional concentrates and straights.

Here at Dairy Consultancy Services we can supply a complete range of moist feeds and moist blends at competitive prices so give us a call to discuss how these could fit into your system with our free ration review. Tel 07795 373433

Silage making in full swing

05/13/2011 23:17:00

Another sunny day in South Wales today visiting dairy clients and dropping off silage sheets including siloseal clear "cling film" sheets.

We had excellent results with these on client farms last year with no surface waste on maize or grass silage and many more clients are using them this season along with secure covers and gravel bags to weigh down the sheets.

Despite recent rain showers, both grass and arable crops are still in need of substantial rainfall, although it would be good if this could come after first cut has been completed.

Silage making is in full swing on many farms and the dry weather has brought forward heading dates on many leys so its important to harvest these as soon as possible to avoid silage quality suffering.

Use of a well proven additive such as Ecosyl 100 or Alltechs 4x4 would be advisable as many pre cutting samples have shown low sugar levels and variable nitrates with the current catchy weather and cool nights. This will help ensure silage quality is maximised.

With the continuing threat of drought forage stocks may well be low again in the coming winter so it makes sense to ensure that any silage made is of the best quality.

Where silage leys are past there best it might be worth considering putting these into maize after first cut and then back into Italian ryegrass in the autumn. This should increase silage yields for this season with our maize varieties capable of yielding up to 20 tonnes per acre.

Maize drilling is almost complete and earlier drilled maize is up and growing well. All of our trial sites are now drilled and these should hopefully provide us with some useful information on varietal performance over a range of farm conditions.

We still have availability on maize seed and maxi maize fertiliser for those last minute orders.

or email dairyconsultancy@aol.com

feed market update

05/11/2011 22:23:00

Latest feed market prices update straights prices 11th may 2011click here

Feed market remains volatile with up and down movements on a daily basis according to weather and stock reports.

With cows grazing keep an eye on grass covers. If worried about possibility of drought this summer consider booking moist feeds now to ensure buffer feed availability throughout mid summer. We can provide a range of moist feeds and moist blends contact us for details of availability and pricing.

The image on left shows Trafford Gold clamped on farm, an excellent moist concentrate feed with high energy and balanced protein and starch levels.

Significantly cheaper than conventional concentrates and ideal for both dairy and beef.

Dry April threatens drought across europe

05/10/2011 00:09:00

Despite the current spell of showers new satellite maps highlight the effect of the lack of rainfall in April. http://bbc.in/kVMpeu

Feed Market Update

05/09/2011 11:47:00

FEED MARKET UPDATE

The last week has once again seen further volatility in the feed market with wheat prices fluctuating on a daily basis due to weather and market news.

One things for sure volatility in the feed markets is here to stay in the short to medium term and therefore care needs to be taken when deciding the best feeds to use and when to purchase them.

Prices have been driven by a combination of increased worldwide demand for both feed and bio fuels, along with speculator involvement in the "soft" commodities market, coupled with the impact of instability in the Middle East and Africa.

With the exception of soya and distillers we have seen huge increases in raw material prices in the last 12 months and therefore great care is needed to ensure appropriate feeds are purchased to achieve best cost rations.

Where storage for straights is limited it often makes sense to look at either a single blend of straights or a balanced blend plus a single protein or energy feed which can be used to "tweak" the diet as required.

Protein blends offer a viable alternative to the high price of soya and could include a combination of protein sources to reduce cost and provide a steady supply of protein to the rumen.

With availability of UK produced and imported Sugar Beet Pulp very limited this summer, wheatfeed, soya hulls and citrus offer a useful digestible fibre alternative, either as a straight or as part of a blend or compound.

With cows now out to grass its a good time to review options for buffer feeding and we can offer a full range of compounds, blends, moist feeds, moist blends and straights to balance high protein grazed grass and buffer forages such as maize or grass silage.

We are now actively contracting compounds and blends for our clients for the summer and next winter as recent falls in some raw materials present a good opportunity to take some cover.