Germany: Hay and straw prices are breaking records; haymaking is suspended

In northern Germany, most farmers had to cancel the first haymaking. The meadows are either completely flooded or it is so wet that machines cannot be entered. The pastures are also flooded, so there is nowhere for cattle to graze. As a result, hay prices rose systematically in May. Straw supplies in the country are also running out, so prices are soaring, Agrarheute reports. In the rest of the territory, conditions for harvesting hay were also poor. It was difficult to dry the grass due to recurring rainfall. Where hay has been harvested, it is often of poor quality or unsuitable for baling. Farmers also have a problem with mold in undried bales. Hay close to records According to Agrarheute analysis, the average price of hay increased by 3 euros per tonne in May - to around 135 euros/tonne for large bales. In the year-on-year comparison, the price of hay also increased by EUR 3 per tonne. In addition, the stakes are still rising and the all-time record may soon be broken. Data ...