Gibt`s denn hier nix zu K+S? o. T.

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Fertiliser prices to keep on rising
Arable event told there appears to be little sign of any stability in market

By Joe Watson

Published: 10/07/2008

IN CLOVER: Farmers seeking to make better use of clover have been told to check cobalt levels
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Farmers were warned yesterday to expect further increases in fertiliser prices as global demand remains far in excess of supply.

Bill Petrie, the Scottish manager with fertiliser firm Carr’s, said there appeared no let-up in the price surges that have been fuelled by increased crop plantings globally and growing demand for a range of products from India, China, South America and the US.

Farmers worldwide have over the last two years had to endure higher fertiliser costs.

Phosphate has led the increase from £118 to £682 per tonne, while potash is up from £100 to £445. Ammonia has risen from £181 to £282.

Mr Petrie told an NFU Scotland arable event – held at East Coast Viners at Drumlithie – that prices were changing weekly and there appeared little sign of any stability in the market.

Resistance was, however, being seen to the cost of phosphate. But urea had last week risen more than £30 a tonne to £353.

He told growers thinking of making better use of farmyard manure to mitigate against the increased costs to first test it so they could be sure of its nutrient content.

He too said there was a need for farmers to ensure that fertiliser equipment was properly calibrated as inaccurate spreading could cost them up to £41 per hectare (£16.60 an acre).

And he also told them to check the calcium levels of their soil as poor rates would reduce the ability of plants to make use of any nitrogen fertiliser spread on the ground.

For those farmers wanting to make better use of clover to naturally fix nitrogen into their soils there was a plea to check cobalt levels.

Mr Petrie said while manufactured fertiliser prices were up the product could still be justified if farm produce prices remained at levels that justified its use.

He put the current cost of nitrogen-based fertilisers for dairy farmers at 3.3p per litre (1.87p a pint). The fertiliser cost to arable farmers varied from £58.42 per tonne of grain and 0.6 tonnes of straw produced for those with the most nutrient deficient soils to £41.25 for the best. A year ago the average cost of fertiliser in grain was just £16.

As to the question of ploughing straw back into soil to improve organic matter content Mr Petrie said that could only really be justified if prices were below £3 a bale.

He added: “If you can get more than £3 for it then bale it and sell it. Either that or leave a higher stubble and bale the straw.”

Mr Petrie said his firm remained exceptionally busy as farmers were ordering fertiliser to avoid any future price rise.