Fertilizer sales slow to start

Merchants report sales of fertilizer being slow to take off in advance of the ending of the closed period next week.

The greatest activity is in the south and southeast, which ties in with more suitable spreading conditions, and the prohibited spreading period ending a few days earlier, as detailed in Table 1.

Urea is trading at €400/t, with smaller trading volumes and sale prices in the west of the country quoted at €410 to €415/t. CAN is quoted at €310 for larger volumes traded to €320 to €330 for small volumes or prices quoted in the west.

Low demand limits sales

Later housing dates and replenished fodder reserves is limiting the volume of fodder being traded. Deals reported show variable prices with location and supplies in the area having a big influence.

Silage is trading in the main at €18 to €22 per 4x4 round bale, with quality having a big impact on price.

Higher-priced deals up to €25 per bale have been reported for top-quality silage harvested in excellent conditions from reseeded pasture or with silage testing analysis available.

Haylage is trading from €18 to €25 per 4x4 bale. There are some deals reported at €15 to €18 for 2013-made 4x4 bales, with prices again influenced by quantities traded.

Hay is trading from €20 to €25 for 4x4 round bales, with horse hay trading in cases from €25 to €30 per bale.

Reports suggest many tillage farmers are keen to move straw, with demand also reported as sluggish.

4x4 round bales are trading in most cases at €8 to €10 in the south and southeast, with transport adding €7 to €8 for bales delivered to the west and north.

8x4x3 bales of barley and oaten straw are quoted at €20 to €25 in the south and southeast, with transport adding €8 to €12 to costs (depends on distance) for bales transported west and north.

Favourable forage supplies and a bumper fodder beet crop are said to be also affecting demand. In the east and south, beet is trading ex-yard at €30 to €35/t with feed on offer in the midlands and east quoted at €32 to €38/t.