Farmers sow extra grain: it has never been so lucrative

If Dutch farmers are quick, they will benefit from the sharply increased grain prices in the world this year. Since mid-February, the world trade price of wheat (the main grain) has risen by 50 percent. And that price also rose 5 percent today.

With such prices, it is becoming increasingly interesting for Dutch farmers to sow grain instead of potatoes or onions this time. “Normally, grain does not yield much,” says Jurriaan Visser, grain manager of the agricultural cooperative CZAV. “But now it is.”

CZAW is a sales organization for 3000 farmers and horticulturists in the south of the Netherlands. Visser thinks that due to the increased grain prices, grain production at the affiliated farmers will increase by 5 to 10 percent.

At Agrifirm (ten thousand affiliated farmers and horticulturists) it is also expected that more farmers will sow spring wheat in the coming days and weeks.

In terms of surface area, grains are one of the most important crops for Dutch farmers. 180,000 hectares, or 34 percent of the Dutch arable acreage, is full, according to figures from the CBS from 2021.

It is less important for the farmers’ turnover: potatoes and onions yield more. But grain is often sown because it is good for the soil.

The wheat grown in the Netherlands is mainly processed in animal feed. We prefer to bake the bread with wheat from other countries. “Our grain is less valued, because grains here contain less protein,” explains Visser. “This makes the bread less airy. We think that’s important for bread in the Netherlands.”

However, the increased interest in local production and sustainability has changed that somewhat. “The bread made from Dutch wheat is also fine to eat.” There are also more and more bakers who want Dutch wheat.

“Am I going to grow intensive crops again with all the associated risks, or do I opt for a more secure alternative such as summer grain?”, Aart den Bakker, manager of vegetable sales at Agrifirm, told farmers who might still have doubts. “The harvest can already be sold for prices that have not been so high in decades.”

“Because the prices of grains have risen even more in the past period, it is even more interesting to opt for growing (extra) summer grain this year,” Agrifirm said in writing. “At the moment we still have enough stock to be able to supply the best seed grains.”

Grain that is sown in the autumn (winter grain) yields the most yield for the farmer. Grain sown February/March (summer grain) has a shorter growing time as it is harvested at the same time. But then you have to sow quickly. Every week that you wait, the yield decreases.

According to Visser, farmers sow a different crop of grain after a number of seasons because it is good for the soil. “Although the disadvantage is that you have to fertilize the grains extra. That means more costs and higher nitrogen emissions.” And those emissions must be reduced in the Netherlands.

According to entrepreneurs’ organization LTO Nederland, some farmers have the space to shift around with all the products they grow. But well-calculated farmers may not do it after all. “The yield may be disappointing. The price of fertilizer has risen just as fast as that of grain.”

Ruetir

Tags: Netherlands, potatoes, onions, Dutch farmers, grain, grain prices, grain production, wheat