Market update autumn 2025 / News

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2025 is already coming to an end… Time to reflect and look ahead

How quickly time flies: 2025 is almost over. A nice moment to pause and reflect on the harvest of last summer and to look forward to the upcoming winter.

The summer of 2025 was, unlike last year, quite dry. This created ideal conditions for making hay, and we really needed that after the changeable summer of 2024. Back then, there was a lot of hay available of mediocre quality.

But such a long dry period also has its downsides. In many hay lots from 2025, we see two typical characteristics: a high sugar content and a low protein content. This is because grass grows less well during prolonged drought, resulting in lower protein levels. At the same time, the plant experiences 'stress' and starts to store more sugars. On paper, it's nice hay, but not always ideal for every animal.

Fortunately, some rain fell at the end of July. As a result, we were able to harvest a nice second cut in some regions. And it is really worth it. The second cut is not only of good quality but also contains more protein and an average sugar content (around 10-12%). Perfect for young, older, or sport horses with a higher protein requirement. Due to its finer structure, this cut is also very suitable for animals that have difficulty with coarser hay, such as horses with poorer teeth and, of course, for gourmets like alpacas, goats, and sheep.

Are you specifically looking for low-sugar hay? This year, that is a bit more challenging. Truly low-sugar batches are scarce and usually sell out quickly. We analyze multiple batches weekly, but about 80% do not pass our selection based solely on sugar content. Of the batches that are suitable, the majority falls between 7.5 and 10% sugar. Lower than 7.5%? That is really rare this year.

Looking ahead to winter

November is a great time to start planning for winter and spring. We are now at the threshold of winter. Many animals are moving indoors, and the demand for hay will increase again. At the same time, we often see stocks dwindling abroad. We do not expect major shortages, but the selection will likely become somewhat limited as spring approaches. So, it's good to think ahead about your stock.

If you know what you need, you can plan ahead more easily. A handy rule of thumb: a horse that eats unlimited hay consumes an average of about 10 kg per day. Of course, this varies by animal; a small pony might be fine with half that amount, while a large horse may need a bit more. But it helps you make an estimate for the coming months.

Extra support in winter

Winter demands a lot from your horse's body. It takes energy to stay warm, so it's good to adjust the ration accordingly. For example, consider supplementing with lucerne: nutritious, high in fiber, and sugar-free. We also have various concentrates from Metazoa that can support this. And what can really make a difference: the lick stones from Imima, packed with essential minerals. For this, we have put together a winter package, so your horse enters winter with the right support and resistance.

Featured batches:

The batch of mini bales of meadow hay with less than 7.5% sugar. 

The large bales of 2nd cut German meadow hay

The midi bales of lucerne mix