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We monitor prices, so you don’t have to!” It’s a familiar marketing war cry from one of the major retailers, but it’s also applicable to First Milk Direct too – especially on fertiliser these days given the rapid price rises.

Discussions with our fertiliser supplier Masstock Arable (UK Ltd) are ongoing to try to address the issues and these price increases. The critical advice for members is to ensure the correct fertiliser is purchased and the nutrients applied to the soil are fully utilised in the production of grass next Spring. The best way to guarantee this is to have soil analysis done on all fields where fertiliser will be applied.

StraightTalk has spoken to Rob Willey of Masstock to get the low-down on some of the current issues.

WHAT IS DRIVING THE MARKET?

Supplies of fertiliser are very tight this year because of high global demand which has risen because the Americans are using far more fertiliser due to the shift from soya crops (which require very little fertiliser) to maize and wheat for the biofuel industry. At the same time the new company formed from the merger  of Terra and Kemira is decommissioning a fertiliser plant in the UK, also further tightening supplies. Potash supplies have been affected by a mine flooding problem in Russia. Further upward pressures on the market include the UK’s reduction in set aside increasing domestic demand as well as the massive increase in the demand for cereal based foods in China and the Far East.

IS THERE ENOUGH FERTILISER AVAILABLE?

First Milk Direct is in an excellent position to assist you in securing the fertiliser that you require. We do expect products and delivery options to be tight but we will do everything we can to satisfy your demand. Early ordering is of course, recommended under the current market conditions.

WHAT DOES FERTILISER COST NOW?

34.5% Nitrogen fertiliser for the Spring will be well in excess of £250 per tonne. Last month it was below £200 and last year around £150 per tonne. The market drivers are unlikely to bring that price down in the short term and most industry commentators expect further increases of all the major nutrient raw materials.

WHAT PAYMENT TERMS DOES FIRST MILK DIRECT HAVE?

We have a full range of options on payment – including deferred and staged payments.

I NEED TO REDUCE MY FERTILISER BILL.  WHAT CAN I DO?

The First Milk action plan is simple:

!) Analyse your soils so you know how much fertiliser your fields need.

2) Analyse your muck and slurry to determine how much nitrogen, potash and phosphate it contains, and include it in your field fertiliser “budget”. We may be able to assist you here.  Please also read the ‘Mucksmart’ story on page 4 for more detail.

3) Apply only what is needed, and apply it accurately. If you haven’t calibrated your fertiliser spreader for a number of years then do so.

4) Apply it at the right time. Too soon, when the temperature is too cold, and it will be wasted. Watch out for the T-Sum scores in the farming press in the spring.

Soil analysis kits are available to all members and First Milk Direct have a promotional offer on testing for one month only. We would urge all members to keep costs to a minimum so call Fiona Fraser of FM Direct on 0141 847 6817.