How has the fertiliser market been this year?

Fertiliser sales have held up for the overall market. Lower prices early in the year definitely benefited farmers and on average farmers will have paid a good bit less for fertiliser than last year.

What is the outlook for fertiliser prices?

In June it looks like there may be a €10/t seasonal reduction versus early April prices for high-N products. In the long run, I can’t see any basis for a shortage of fertiliser that would drive a price spike. From where I sit now, the price outlook is reasonably stable.

Could Chinese fertiliser production drive prices?

In my view China will not be responsible for setting a higher price. Due to their high production cost they will only come to the market at high prices and I don’t see the price rising enough to allow that to happen.

Have fertiliser sales increased since lifting of milk quotas?

Fertiliser consumption has increased very little in the last three years. It is difficult to measure the impact of production because growing conditions will always have more of an influence on output and consequent fertiliser inputs.

Are poor grain prices reducing fertiliser sales?

If there is less area sown then yes. However, tillage farming today is not optimised by avoiding fertiliser usage – if they are in it, they are going to do it right. It might be important for tillage farmers to have the tractor working properly but land is their engine and the efficiency and effectiveness of the soil is what matters. And that’s why we in Grassland Agro employ about 25 agronomists who work with farmers on fertiliser planning.

Are you concerned about increasing environmental regulations?

I have no difficulty with regulations, provided we are on a level playing pitch. I don’t think that’s the case. There is a lack of dedicated commitment across the EU to having the same standards for material that comes from outside the EU.

Only one in 10 fields has the correct nutrient levels – how does the industry address this?

By 2050 there will be 9bn people in the world, so it is vital that land is fertile and farmed properly. Ninety per cent of the country is deficient in pH, P or K – if that was a factory and it was not improving you would imagine the guy would be fired. The reality is that most Irish farmers are only growing 7t of grass/ha - we have a long journey to get to 10/t. That’s why Grassland Agro are co-sponsors in the Teagasc Grass 10 challenge – to try and get things right at farm level.

Profile

Title: managing director of Grassland Agro.

Turnover: €120m.

Number of employees: 105.

Locations: three fertiliser factories in Cork, Limerick and Slane, Co Meath.

Products: fertiliser, soil conditioners, biostimulants, mineral blocks and dairy hygiene products.