# Silage sunflowers: a potential emergency alternative for feeding livestock during drought conditions - Neiker

> NEIKER is trialling sunflower silage in Álava (Basque Country) as an emergency forage crop. Drought and heat this summer cut annual pasture yield by an estimated 25 to 40 per cent, forcing farmers to draw on winter fodder reserves early. The trial, run with the GARLAN cooperative, will assess fermentation quality, nutritional value and production costs.

- Date: 2026-11-13 · published 2026-11-13T15:16:16.519Z
- Category: weather · region Spain · magnitude low
- Page: https://feedsoft.ai/events/98054-silage-sunflowers-a-potential-emergency-alternative-for-feeding-livestock
- Commodities: [Alfalfa Hay](https://feedsoft.ai/c/ALFALFA.md)

## Why it matters

Lower pasture yields tighten local forage supply and push up demand for alternative feeds, which can lift prices for hay and silage substitutes. The effect is local to northern Spain and small in global terms.

## Read by commodity

- ALFALFA: bullish ▲

## Sources

- neiker.eus: https://neiker.eus/en/news/silage-sunflowers-a-potential-emergency-alternative-for-feeding-livestock-during-drought-conditions/

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Data from Feedsoft AI (https://feedsoft.ai/). For information only; not investment advice.