Fertiliser price falls from Ravensdown

Ravensdown has reduced the price of urea again so farmers can boost spring growth. This is the fourth time this year the fertiliser giant has reduced prices reports farmonline. "With the industry struggling we are concerned about declining soil fertility levels so wanted to pass on these further savings to farmers to enable them to get their fertiliser applied," says Ravensdown chairman Bill McLeod. From  July 9, Ravensdown is reducing urea by $30 to $620 a tonne (direct debit price). "This brings the urea price back in line with the December 2007 price before international commodity prices rose dramatically with urea peaking at $1111 in September 2008," says Mr McLeod. "We're aware pasture growth will be particularly important heading into spring as farmers work through these difficult economic conditions. So, this is a timely review to help farmers bolster feed and crops in spring. "Nitrogen is an essential nutrient and after a cold wet winter applications will be required to maximise crop and pasture growth," says Mr McLeod. These are uncertain times for farmers, with many sectors struggling with lower returns. We know fertiliser expenditure is closely examined when discretionary spending is reduced. However lessons learnt from the mid-1980s farming crisis include the danger of not applying maintenance fertiliser. "Of course we understand the economic pressures farmers are facing with lower returns but the worse thing farmers could do now is to cut essential fertiliser expenditure and therefore lower production at a time when returns are also lower," he says. Last year nearly 80% of sheep and beef farmers and 60% of dairy farmers applied less than maintenance fertiliser and as a result many have lower than optimum phosphate and sulphur levels.