Aftercut season could limp
THE AFTERCUT season is about to start, but lacklustre sales in the season so far threaten to deprive it of the cut and thrust it once enjoyed.
The grass fertiliser market is already estimated to be some 20% down on last spring.
Traditionally this was the end of season battle for bargains, as the three UK majors’ used up their nitrogen stocks.
Products were essentially similar analyses of NK formed of simple blends of ammonium nitrate prills and muriate of potash.
But, things have changed, and the end of February figures for AN stocks in Europe are the lowest ever.
Manufacturers are not inclined to give it away in an end of season scramble for sales.
The size of the market has also radically declined.
As farmers turn to maize and other forages to provide reliable yields of dry matter and energy, the size of the second and third grass silage cut has dwindled.
At the same time, driven by agronomic need, the choice of aftercut products has widened and now includes NK, NPK, NKS and NPKS grades.
Despite this, the market is still driven very much by price per tonne, the yardstick for which so far this season seems to be around £135/t for large orders.
So it will pay to look closely at unit values as one “aftercut” at £135/t may represent quite different value from another at the same price.
CURRENT PRICES (£/t)
Great Britain
Straight | |
Domestic N (34.5%N) SP5 | Apr £149-151 |
Imported AN Lithuanian | £140 where available |
Imported urea | £175 granular (little available) |
Liquid UAN | £142 |
TSP (47%P2O5) | £149 |
Muriate of Potash(60%K2O) | £133 |
Compound | ||
| Complex | Blended |
25.5.5 | £148-150 | From £140 |
15.15.20 | £164-168 |
|
20.10.10 / 27.5.5 | £150-152 | From £142 |
17.17.17 | £169-173 |
|
Aftercuts NK |
| £135 |
27.6.6 (imported) |
|
|
32.5.0 (imported) |
|
|
Trace elements | Copper, zinc, selenium, cobalt Iodine and sodium £11.10/acre pack |
Ireland
| Northern | Republic |
Urea | £200 (existing stocks only) | €270-280 (dependant on source and quality) |
| CAN | £140-145 | €200-210 |
24.6.12 | £170-175 (anticipated) | €240-250+ |
25.5.5 | £160-165 |
|
27.6.6 | £170-175 | €247-250+ (CCF) |
†Note in the Republic of Ireland nutrients are expressed as elements not oxides. Analyses will not be directly comparable with those used in the UK.
*Known as 24.2½.10 blend in the Republic of Ireland
**Known as 27.2½.5 in ROI
Note All illustrated prices are based upon 24 tonne loads for immediate payment. Prices for smaller loads and those with credit terms will vary considerably.
Source: Bridgewater
