Life after serviced agronomy.

Phil P · Apr 28, 2020

Some may remember a thread I posted last year about moving away from serviced agronomy and shopping around for ag chem or possibly joining a buying group.

Sacking my Agronomist

So, we’ve been on serviced agronomy since year dot, my dad had the same agronomist as my grandad and never had any major issues or reasons to complain. Now the agronomist my dad had retired about 5 years ago so we got a new lad similar age to myself and he’s a decent chap who I get on well...

thefarmingforum.co.uk

It was a tough decision to make after dealing with the same company for a very long time, both my grandad a dad both delt with them but I was ready for a change and felt it was time to shake things up a bit.

Anyway as most will know it’s been a quite (and cheap) few months on the agronomy side due to the weather! However it’s now that time of year when the chem bills start rolling in?, herbicides, T1, etc etc

Well, after my first couple of orders all I can say is wow! I honestly can’t believe the price differences when buying ag chem’s. Just by shopping round for prices I’ll already have saved best part of 2K this year, which more than pays for the time it takes to get a few quotes.

So when will serviced agronomy be put a stop to? I’ll be honest it’s a big step to move away from it but up to now I’d totally recommend shopping round for your ag chem, it will pay for its self!

solo · Apr 28, 2020

Glad to hear you’ve had your lightbulb moment. I did the same back in the early1990’s. The savings the first few years were 10% but pricing got more competitive and there was barely 1 or 2% difference some years.The last few years there has been a greater variation again, but I think that is more to do with getting market share than products actually being cheaper. It has been quite noticeable how certain products have a price floor, so other products on the order will be more heavily discounted because they aren’t price fixed as a way round this.

Farmer Fin · Apr 28, 2020

Phil P said:
Some may remember a thread I posted last year about moving away from serviced agronomy and shopping around for ag chem or possibly joining a buying group.

Sacking my Agronomist

So, we’ve been on serviced agronomy since year dot, my dad had the same agronomist as my grandad and never had any major issues or reasons to complain. Now the agronomist my dad had retired about 5 years ago so we got a new lad similar age to myself and he’s a decent chap who I get on well...

thefarmingforum.co.uk

It was a tough decision to make after dealing with the same company for a very long time, both my grandad a dad both delt with them but I was ready for a change and felt it was time to shake things up a bit.

Anyway as most will know it’s been a quite (and cheap) few months on the agronomy side due to the weather! However it’s now that time of year when the chem bills start rolling in?, herbicides, T1, etc etc

Well, after my first couple of orders all I can say is wow! I honestly can’t believe the price differences when buying ag chem’s. Just by shopping round for prices I’ll already have saved best part of 2K this year, which more than pays for the time it takes to get a few quotes.

So when will serviced agronomy be put a stop to? I’ll be honest it’s a big step to move away from it but up to now I’d totally recommend shopping round for your ag chem, it will pay for its self!

Can you elaborate on the 2k? Is it from straight cheaper product / swaps or less product / rate? I have looked and I don’t seem to come in much cheaper when comparing like for like. My guy sends me his price with the recs and knows I check. Do the individual agronomists have the ability to change the price within a serviced company?

britt · Apr 28, 2020

Are you doing the agronomy yourself or do you have an independent ?
A good agronomist will often give an alternative product or mix that is cheaper than one that the company agronomist is pushing. It's not just about price per can for product X. Or will often say that a spray is just not cost effective and not to bother at all.
Join a buying group it takes away the time you spend on phoning around and the size of their overall order gives them clout.

Luke Cropwalker · Apr 28, 2020

In my experience it is not just the price of headline fungicides but the company agronomist always seems to have a super adjuvant or trace element to add to the tank. Such products are often very high margin for the distributor.

Phil P · Apr 28, 2020

Farmer Fin said:
Can you elaborate on the 2k? Is it from straight cheaper product / swaps or less product / rate? I have looked and I don’t seem to come in much cheaper when comparing like for like. My guy sends me his price with the recs and knows I check. Do the individual agronomists have the ability to change the price within a serviced company?

It’s from most of them reasons, for one I usually buy manganese sulphate by the pallet, I’ve saved over £400 on what I paid from my serviced agronomist last year!
some of the chem’s there’s a price difference of £30 a can, and some has been substituted for an alternative tank mix.

britt said:
Are you doing the agronomy yourself or do you have an independent ?
A good agronomist will often give an alternative product or mix that is cheaper than one that the company agronomist is pushing. It's not just about price per can for product X. Or will often say that a spray is just not cost effective and not to bother at all.
Join a buying group it takes away the time you spend on phoning around and the size of their overall order gives them clout.

I’m now using an independent Agronomist, I’ve been trying to walk the crops with him and we can discuss the options before any recommendations are made. Joining a buying group is still an option, however due to the weather over winter I wasn’t sure if I’d see a return on the internal cost. Though I’d see what I can do and decide later in the year.

Phil P · Apr 28, 2020

Farmer Fin said:
Can you elaborate on the 2k? Is it from straight cheaper product / swaps or less product / rate? I have looked and I don’t seem to come in much cheaper when comparing like for like. My guy sends me his price with the recs and knows I check. Do the individual agronomists have the ability to change the price within a serviced company?

ps, is your guy paid by the acre or on a serviced basses?

masseybreaker · Apr 28, 2020

how many acres is the 2 k over ? if its a 1000 not much saving but if its 200 yes

Yale · Apr 28, 2020

Phil P said:
It’s from most of them reasons, for one I usually buy manganese sulphate by the pallet, I’ve saved over £400 on what I paid from my serviced agronomist last year!
some of the chem’s there’s a price difference of £30 a can, and some has been substituted for an alternative tank mix.

I’m now using an independent Agronomist, I’ve been trying to walk the crops with him and we can discuss the options before any recommendations are made.

Walking with the agronomist and learning from him/her is the best way.

There is nothing stopping you gaining most of the knowledge to do it yourself.

You can also factor in ‘what if I don’t apply this or that’ as a salesman will always sell.

Farmer Fin · Apr 28, 2020

Phil P said:
ps, is your guy paid by the acre or on a serviced basses?

Per acre. Only way I can compare the prices.

Gong Farmer · Apr 28, 2020

Farmer Fin said:
Do the individual agronomists have the ability to change the price within a serviced company?

If you need to ask the price, you can't afford them.
Seriously though, most of their business is with growers who don't ask the p[rice, just let them get on with it, so the concept of bargaining over price doesn't come up very often, I wouldn't think.

Phil P · Apr 28, 2020

Farmer Fin said:
Per acre. Only way I can compare the prices.

That’s my point and why your getting the best prices then, I’m comparing what I was been charged on serviced last year.

Rob Holmes · Apr 28, 2020

@Phil P ive found the same, made easier with Farm Marketplace’s prices being transparent, 1st chem order about paid for my BASIS

Phil P · Apr 28, 2020

masseybreaker said:
how many acres is the 2 k over ? if its a 1000 not much saving but if its 200 yes

That’s just on the few purchases I’ve made compared to what I would have been charged on service, it’s not my annual saving I’m that’s going to be much bigger!

Phil P · Apr 28, 2020

Rob Holmes said:
@Phil P ive found the same, first chem order from shopping around about paid for my BASIS

I’m hoping to swap my truck by the end of the year?

puppet · Apr 28, 2020

As a non-arable farmer can I politely ask why there is such a need for agronomists? After a few years you will know and recognise what diseases are around, have done lots of soil sampling and should recognise most weeds.
Does the advice vary by much each year? Why not walk through your own crops?

Phil P · Apr 28, 2020

puppet said:
As a non-arable farmer can I politely ask why there is such a need for agronomists? After a few years you will know and recognise what diseases are around, have done lots of soil sampling and should recognise most weeds.
Does the advice vary by much each year? Why not walk through your own crops?

As much as I’d love to do my BASIS and do it myself I really do have a shocking memory and struggle to remember chemistry and wouldn’t trust myself! Crop walking is something I’m working on and slowly picking up what to be looking out for.

britt · Apr 28, 2020

puppet said:
As a non-arable farmer can I politely ask why there is such a need for agronomists? After a few years you will know and recognise what diseases are around, have done lots of soil sampling and should recognise most weeds.
Does the advice vary by much each year? Why not walk through your own crops?

New products come, old ones go.
Prices vary from season to the next, favouring one product over another and regulations may change. There is a lot to keep up with.
You will also need to have advice from a BASIS qualified person for farm assurance.
They will be getting industry updates and know what pest and diseases are emerging at that time or that particular season.

Boysground · Apr 28, 2020

Phil P said:
As much as I’d love to do my BASIS and do it myself I really do have a shocking memory and struggle to remember chemistry and wouldn’t trust myself! Crop walking is something I’m working on and slowly picking up what to be looking out for.

I did BASIS and FACTS, but still employ an agronomist, this is because with all the other things I have to do in our business I can’t keep up with legislation changes, new chemicals etc etc. I really recommend you do the courses, I found the way I spoke the agronomist changed and I had so much more understanding with what we are planning.

I had the same doubts about doing the courses, it’s not easy but then it shouldn’t be and I have no doubt you will surprise yourself and get through, the practical experience you have is invaluable.

Don’t forget some of the best money you can spend going down this route is a NIAB Tag membership. I don’t go to enough meetings but without fail I learn something when I go, often from other members.

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ajd132 · Apr 28, 2020

Boysground said:
I did BASIS and FACTS, but still employ an agronomist, this is because with all the other things I have to do in our business I can’t keep up with legislation changes, new chemicals etc etc. I really recommend you do the courses, I found the way I spoke the agronomist changed and I had so much more understanding with what we are planning.

I had the same doubts about doing the courses, it’s not easy but then it shouldn’t be and I have no doubt you will surprise yourself and get through, the practical experience you have is invaluable.

Don’t forget some of the best money you can spend going down this route is a NIAB Tag membership. I don’t go to enough meetings but without fail I learn something when I go, often from other members.

Bg

Niab membership is probably our best investment every year.

Life after serviced agronomy.

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