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Agri merchants report an increase in fertiliser sales from farmers looking to buy nitrogen ahead of the spring period when prices normally increase in line with demand.
Reports indicate that urea can currently be purchased at £325/t, which is around £15/t less than the price expected next spring. CAN prices are running from £240 to £250/t, but are expected to hold at this level into next year.
Compound fertilisers such as 25-5-5 can be purchased for £290 to 295/t, with price forecasts of £300 to £305/t next spring.
Meal prices steady
Cattle ration prices appear to have settled with merchants extending forward-buying contracts into 2019, allowing them to lock down straights at fixed prices.
General purpose cattle rations are selling around £230/t for a 16% protein blend, with some pelleted rations costing approximately £5/t more.
Beef finishing rations are prices around £225 to £230/t depending on barley and maize levels with dairy rations around £260/t. Discounts are available for larger volumes purchased.
Barley has steadied around £220/t and is priced similar to wheat.
Maize meal can be purchased at £186 to £190/t, with soya hulls easing back to £205/t. Sugar beet pulp is priced at £220/t.
Soya has also eased to £320/t this week with maize distillers at £215 to £220/t.
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