One unexpected advantage of soaring input costs for farmers is the rising value of poultry litter.

Speaking to FWi at today's Pig and Poultry event at the NAC, Warwickshire, Gloucestershire chicken producer and NFU poultry board chairman Charles Bourns said fertiliser prices were so high, because of the world shortage of phosphate, that more poultry farmers were being approached by growers for their chicken litter.

"I have been offered £5/t for my next crop which, even for a modest chicken unit like mine, equates to £4000," he said. "It will certainly help towards my fuel costs."