One third of farmers had no fertiliser purchased by the middle of March, an Irish Farmers Journal survey has found.

And almost three-quarters of those polled intend to purchase less fertiliser this year as a consequence of the serious hike in prices.

While 64% of the 1,730 survey respondents had secured some fertiliser supplies this year, 36% indicated that they had not purchased stocks by the middle of March.

Dairy and tillage farmers have been the most active purchasers of fertiliser; with 88% of milk suppliers and 77% of cereal growers confirming that they had bought stocks.

In contrast, the survey found that just 60% of beef producers and 53% of sheep farmers had purchased fertiliser.

Seventy-three per cent of sheep farmers said they aimed to cut fertiliser purchases this year

Three-quarters of beef producers indicated that they intended to buy less fertiliser this year, with 63% confirming that they planned to reduce numbers because of increased input costs.

Seventy-three per cent of sheep farmers said they aimed to cut fertiliser purchases this year, while 46% intended to reduce numbers.

Meanwhile, 56% of tillage farmers and 66% of dairy farmers confirmed that they planned to cut fertiliser usage this year.

In terms of purchases to-date, tillage farmers appear to be best placed.

Forty-six per cent said they had over 80% of their requirements for the year bought already.

Just 36% of dairy farmers had more than 60% of their annual fertiliser stocks bought

Seventeen per cent of cereal growers had 61-80% of their fertiliser needs purchased; with a further 17% having 41-60% of their requirements bought.

Twenty per cent of growers had less than 40% of their fertiliser needs secured.

Just 36% of dairy farmers had more than 60% of their annual fertiliser stocks bought.

A further 36% of respondents had less than 40% of their fertiliser needs secured, while the remaining 28% had between 41% and 60% of requirements purchased.

Twenty-two per cent of beef farmers had more than 80% of their fertiliser requirements purchased, with 29% having less than 40% bought.

A further 29% had 41-60% of their fertiliser needs sourced, with the remaining 20% having 61-80% of stocks bought.