The Irish Farmers Journal carried out a livestock ration price survey this week, the results of which are shown in Table 1.

Animal feed prices have remained consistent since the autumn, while variation between regions has grown.

Millers are reporting usual levels of sales for this time of year, with demand for certain compounds set to climb soon.

The spike in demand initially expected this winter, due to the fodder crisis, has not materialised for the most part, according to millers.

This is being put down to the excellent grass-growing weather over the autumn and winter months, which allowed a good deal of extra fodder to be saved, and this year’s grazing season to start early.

With calving season getting into full swing over the next few weeks, merchants predict demand for higher-quality dairy feeds will increase.

An increase in sales of high-protein ewe concentrates will also be coming as lambing season approaches.

Ingredients and ingredient quality differ widely between feeds.

Farmers should weigh up the price of a feed taking energy and protein content into account.

Cheaper rations may contain inexpensive fillers, which may have lower nutritional value.

High content of quality protein sources, such as soya, in a feed will make it more expensive.

The price of straight soya is currently ranging from €350/t to €378/t.

In order to keep prices down, many millers are using high levels of maize in their compound feeds this year to replace more-expensive barley, which is not a problem as maize is equally as good.

The price of barley remains high at between €235 and €262/t, while maize has fallen to between €205/t and €220/t.

Rolled wheat is ranging from €243/t to €253/t.

Rapeseed meal is selling for €280/t on average and distillers are trading from €244/t to €266/t.

Beet pulp (unmollased) is selling for €235/t to €258/t and corn gluten is making from €218/t to €245/t.