A recent headline in the local daily farming supplement
read "Fertiliser prices down by 50%" - not in my book!
Nitrogen may be back by about 40% from its peak and phosphates
are more reasonably priced, but potash is still three times its
previous level. On a straw-selling farm this essential element must
be replaced or yields will tumble.
No one on the Potash stands at Crops held out for any hope for
major price reductions, so my fertiliser costs are averaging at 50%
more than two years ago.
With harvest only four weeks away, here's a quick guess at crop
potential.
Winter barley is six-row hybrid volume and it looks full of
promise, with large pickles on long heads. But will it remain
standing?
Spring Barley is all quench for malting (if the local
mini-malting business ever gets off the ground. It is very thick,
but free from disease. This crop was grown with broiler litter at
10t/ha and only 20kg/ha of N applied at tramlines-visible stage.
Poor headlands will reduce yield, but overall the crop could well
leave the best margin.
Winter wheat looks about average and yields will depend on grain
fill, which in turn will depend on sunshine levels. Soil moisture
has always been adequate, so no problems there.
Harvesting and straw bailing will be eased as I have
forward-sold the headlands (about 5ha) for whole crop. The agreed
price is the average yield over the last three harvests at an
ex-field value at £115/t for the grain, plus the value of the straw
behind the combine, less the cost of harvesting and a 10%
discount.
Forage maize has proved difficult. When Atrazine was available
weed control was not a problem, but the replacement has failed to
take out volunteer potatoes and bindweed, resulting in a second
chemical being applied. Hopefully this will have cured the
problem.