Responses to a CAFRE survey of participants in the Business Development Group (BDG) programme have indicated that 48% of beef and sheep farms have no fertiliser purchased for the 2022 growing season, and only 13% have purchased all the fertiliser they require.

The mid-March survey results, presented to a new Rising Costs Industry Taskforce on Tuesday, highlight that beef and sheep farmers intend spreading significantly less fertiliser this year.

A total of 60% of the 167 respondents said that they plan to reduce application rates for first-cut silage, with 40% less product being applied than in previous years.

Nearly half of respondents indicated they will increase culling of breeding animals this year

A similar number intend applying less fertiliser to grazing, with over one-quarter saying they won’t spread any on grazing land at all.

With less fertiliser being applied, it will inevitably reduce the amount of grass being grown.

Nearly half of respondents indicated they will increase culling of breeding animals this year, with 29% intending to buy less stock and 27% suggesting they will sell animals as stores rather than take to finish.

Dairy results

Across 119 dairy farmers who completed the survey, over half also intend reducing fertiliser input for first cut, with the total amount applied likely to be down 30%. Two thirds said they plan to reduce fertiliser for grazing.

At the time of the survey (which coincided with the period when CAN jumped in price to £900/t), 19% of dairy farmers had no fertiliser bought for grazing land.

At the time of the survey, 77% said that they had not reduced feed levels in response to high concentrate prices

While nearly 30% of dairy farmers have no plans to cut stock numbers, 57% did suggest they will be increasing culling rates this year, with 24% also ticking a box to indicate they will sell off beef cattle.

Assuming less grass and forage is grown, if cow numbers are to be sustained, farmers will have to rely more on purchased concentrate.

At the time of the survey, 77% said that they had not reduced feed levels in response to high concentrate prices.

A concern raised by CAFRE at the stakeholder meeting was that if purchased feed is used to make up a fodder gap it will lead to even higher costs of production this winter. Less forage could also mean milk supply this winter is negatively affected.

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