The return of rain has brought on a steady increase in fertiliser activity after a slump in sales for a number of weeks.

The Irish Farmers Journal contacted a number of merchants this week to get an update on prices since the upswing in activity.

Some of them explained that farmers were holding back spreading over the past month during the drought. This resulted in a buildup of stocks already on farmyards.

However, with the return of rain, these stocks have been used up quickly and one merchant commented that it is incredibly busy now in terms of fertiliser sales.

In the south, CAN prices are ranging from €255/t to €265/t, with CAN plus sulphur costing €8 to €10/t more. Prices for CAN in the midlands and the east are between €250/t and €265/t.

As found in previous price surveys, the west of the country remains more expensive, with CAN prices as high as €270/t.

The demand is putting pressure on both merchants and their suppliers. One merchant in the midlands said that it is the perfect storm, between feed and fertiliser. He said it is an exceptionally busy time for merchants.

High potash products are moving well in the east and south. This is mainly because more tillage and livestock farmers are trialling planting westerwolds or Italian ryegrass to combat fodder deficits, according to merchants. Prices for 18:6:12 are ranging from €350 to €360/t.

There is not as much interest in westerwolds or Italian ryegrass in north Munster or in the west. Brassica crops like forage rape or a hybrid are going to be grown for baling or grazing, according to various merchants in Munster. However, some are worried that seed supply will be an issue.

The compound 24:2.5:10 is costing €110/t over CAN, averaging about €375/t, while 27:2.5:5 is €10 cheaper, ranging from €360/t to €365/t. There is minimal reseeding going on around the country even after the rain, with some merchants in the east expecting it to pick up in the next week or so. Currently, attention is on winter forage crops in a lot of areas. The price of 10:10:20 is averaging at €375/t.