Buying sprays independently

[Bob R]

Hi

I am planning on walking my own crops next year moving away from a serviced agronomist. I have my basis and a member of NIAB but interested where others doing there own agronomy buy there sprays ?
Is it worth me joining a buying group such as crop advisors and let them do the chasing round for best prices or do people just buy direct from the chemical companies?

thanks in advance

 

[ollie989898]

Can use a buying group but then you are stuck with whatever they can get.

It pays to have a couple of companies outside of this loop that you do a bit of business with. They may be able to get you 'special' items and be a bit more helpful if they see you aren't upset by paying a bit more now and a again.

Smaller more independent companies do exist outside of the buying groups and big names and what is more you'd like to think they would value your custom more than a huge company that does quadrillions of pounds worth of agchem a year.

You can never have too many tools in the box.

 

[Pigless]

Try Nigel at farmagri, Suffolk. Always gives us a good service and we are in Cornwall!

 

[robs1]

I joined crop advisors when I sacked agrii I find it well worth the fee

 

[Brisel]

You can do either. Many of those who do their own agronomy are members of buying groups but if you like the dealing with suppliers, some buy their own. I did that for years with 5 local suppliers, including the major distributors, until I joined a buying group. The buying groups savings on chemicals were not much but I did save a lot on seed, fertiliser and other farm inputs. The greatest saving was time.

Crop Advisors are well thought of. Anglia Farmers have improved their game in the last few years. Woldmarsh have always been good and I have heard good comments about Atlas Fram too. Ouse and Cherwell are local to me and are also excellent.

 

[T Hectares]

Crop advisors vote here

Why waste your time trying to learn the market and supply that they already know ?
They’ve done a sterling job the last couple of years on fert buying, ensuring supply of chem and buying seed well this year

Use your time on Agronomy not buying is my advice

 

[Clive]

Hi

I am planning on walking my own crops next year moving away from a serviced agronomist. I have my basis and a member of NIAB but interested where others doing there own agronomy buy there sprays ?
Is it worth me joining a buying group such as crop advisors and let them do the chasing round for best prices or do people just buy direct from the chemical companies?

thanks in advance

join www.farmdeals.ag - unlike other buying groups there is no membership fee or insistence on exclusivity

it has struggled to get supply of a full range of crop protection products in its first 18 months as it seems this is an industry that is threatened by efficient competition but its getting better and stronger all the time and can now supply most cereal products at equal or better prices than most traditional buying groups

 

[nxy]

It amazes me that in the UK chemicals are still sold like its the 1970s. Why are there no big national firms selling chemicals on line in the UK?

 

[Boysground]

Another very happy Crop Advisors member here.

When I first went to an independent agronomist I sourced my own chemical. It was definitely better than serviced prices but did take a lot of time. Joined crop Advisors and they take the stress out for me, backup is great and lots of buying advice such as heads up when there are supply issues especially in the last year.

Membership cost is worth every penny for me

Bg

 

[Andy26]

I use Anglia Farmers, find them very efficient, with access to pretty much every active and brand. They will guide you on alternative products that are better value and of course you're kept up to date on supply issues.

Price is always there or thereabouts, you do get rebates at the end of the season from price adjustments. I think AgChems is one of AF's strong points, saves loads of times and you don't need the hassle of opening accounts with every distributor in the country.

 

[Longneck]

I have used these guys for years and they are great. Highly recomend.

HOME | agricure

www.agricure.co.uk

 

[T Hectares]

Hi

I am planning on walking my own crops next year moving away from a serviced agronomist. I have my basis and a member of NIAB but interested where others doing there own agronomy buy there sprays ?
Is it worth me joining a buying group such as crop advisors and let them do the chasing round for best prices or do people just buy direct from the chemical companies?

thanks in advance

No matter where you end up buying from, you’ve made a great step in walking your own crops and with NIAB backup you will go well
Plenty of help on here too

 

[Will Blackburn]

I use Framfarmers previously known as AtlasFram. I’ve always got the chemicals I’ve wanted. The savings on fuel pump prices are £10 a vehicle tank full at the moment!

 

[AndrewM]

You can just open supply only accounts with the main distributors. After the first few set of quotes you will probably narrow down to a couple of companies

 

[SilliamWhale]

I don't have as many options but to be honest I'm buy nearly everything from agrii and I don't think I've been ripped off badly yet as long as you ask for cheapest supply only. I do check though.

To their credit they are extremely reliable.

I find agronomy in the main very predictable anyway: Wheat always has a pre-em and broadway star and 2 sdhi's, osr always gets kerb, beans always get nirvana and a 2 spray fungicide etc. I don't really understand how its become such a massive industry really as most products seem to be variations of the same fundamentals. You can predict your weed burdens once you know your farm.

Remember last year when all the sprayers were blocking up with fungicide? A mistake but it goes to show mistakes can be made my anyone in the chain.

 

[T Hectares]

I don't have as many options but to be honest I'm buy nearly everything from agrii and I don't think I've been ripped off badly yet as long as you ask for cheapest supply only. I do check though.

To their credit they are extremely reliable.

I find agronomy in the main very predictable anyway: Wheat always has a pre-em and broadway star and 2 sdhi's, osr always gets kerb, beans always get nirvana and a 2 spray fungicide etc. I don't really understand how its become such a massive industry really as most products seem to be variations of the same fundamentals. You can predict your weed burdens once you know your farm.

Remember last year when all the sprayers were blocking up with fungicide? A mistake but it goes to show mistakes can be made my anyone in the chain.

I think it’s part of the Distributors policy to make agronomy so complex it makes Mr Average farmer think it’s far too difficult to ever contemplate doing it themselves

In reality it’s not, but having NIAB Tag or an Independent on a retainer/reduced service for back up and advise is a really good way to DIY without making a howler, I’ve just had a test of my agronomy in a cross compliance and NVZ inspection and I’ve passed it all with my own recs and NVZ planning

I don’t see the enjoyment in arable farming without the understanding of the agronomy

 

[SilliamWhale]

I think it’s part of the Distributors policy to make agronomy so complex it makes Mr Average farmer think it’s far too difficult to ever contemplate doing it themselves

In reality it’s not, but having NIAB Tag or an Independent on a retainer/reduced service for back up and advise is a really good way to DIY without making a howler, I’ve just had a test of my agronomy in a cross compliance and NVZ inspection and I’ve passed it all with my own recs and NVZ planning

I don’t see the enjoyment in arable farming without the understanding of the agronomy

Most of it is marketing crap. I read CPM magazine and whilst I do value it it it does seem to make mountains out of molehills.

 

[Hampton]

I just email 4 companies for products and then email back the products I wish to buy from each company.
Sometimes I end up with stuff off 4 companies, sometimes 1.
no one seems to mind and they all always quote.

 

[Hampton]

If I’m short or need something in a hurry I pop into local hutch.
I’m then at their mercy in terms of what they have in and price, but obviously that is the price I pay for convenience. Better to pay an extra £10-20 on a can of fungicide so I can finish the job that day, than wait for next day delivery

 

[robs1]

It amazes me that in the UK chemicals are still sold like its the 1970s. Why are there no big national firms selling chemicals on line in the UK?

A few years ago ( late 90's perhaps)there was an online selling platform, IIRC a lot was imported but I think it stopped due to issues with MAAP numbers etc.