Cost of sprays

DanniAgro

Member
Interesting reply - I've tried Farm Marketplace but was wondering how it's prices compared with buying groups, as no one in the posts to this thread mentioned using it. Anyone out there able to say one way or the other?
 

teslacoils

Member
Arable Farmer
Location
Lincolnshire
I've bought stuff of fmp. I buy a lot of stuff through a buying group. Both plenty cheaper than the days of serviced agronomy. If you don't want to walk your own I'd ask if a neighbours independent will do yours and then you source the chem yourself.
 

Brisel

Member
Arable Farmer
Location
Midlands
Like the OP I am a small cereals grower so have no bargaining power with Hutchinson or Frontier, so was wondering if anyone can recommend a chemicals buying group on the Glos/Herefs border, or nearby?

Anglia Farmers are nationwide. Fram Farmers too. Possibly @Woldmarsh Producers as well

FMP are competitive and the range of products is better now as it gains momentum. PM @Chris F for more info.
 

DanniAgro

Member
Thanks for the helpful replies, Brisel and teslacoils. I'll definitely look into those suppliers, although if fmp is generally competitive then perhaps there's no need to look any further.
 

juke

Member
Location
DURHAM
Could always ring round the various merchants for what u want there all keen for business , there vans are on the roads everyday anyway..

Don't be surprised if you actually do better than buying groups..
 

Agrobi

Member
As has been alluded to on here before, it’s largely down to the individual. Yes all distributors are going to have a list of products that they will prefer to have their employees use mostly, to have some exclusivity in a busy market and try and make some money which is what every business wants and needs to do- employees cost money to employ and train so they have to maximise returns where possible. This is nothing new!
What is used though I feel is down to the advisor and how they do their job, some will think for themselves and treat it like their own crop but consider cost, others will take the easy route, refer to the manual, cover all bases and do what they are told- to the letter. The exact same thing happens weather it is spray or a new tractor or a new kitchen. Even car mechanics, some will replace the whole part, others will have a go at fixing it. Some people will sell you exactly what you need, others will want you to buy every bell and whistle available for the most part to line their own pockets. With agchem distributors you will get some who are more driven by sales and others who just love doing what they are doing. It’s down to the grower to keep an eye on it if you are keeping an eye on your costs- ask plenty of questions, have discussions before making decisions and keep yourself as up to date as you can to a level you understand. Remember you are employing them, you keep an eye on how your employees operate machinery I’m sure?
As far as cost of sprays go, the way the agchem market is changing with company mergers and product changing hands, also with the level of revocations going on vs the speed of new products to the market. The cost will only go one way. The way you save money is start with the soil being right, pick a good variety, walk it regularly and give it what it needs when it needs it. Some things can be made v overcomplex but if the basics are right to start, yields go up and the costs SHOULD fall... unless the weather does something strange, which seems to happen more and more. Oh and take some tablets for that shiny metal disease I see that seems to be spreading like yellow yellow rust spreads through wheat!
On the CCC vs adjust type argument, prime example of what is mentioned above, but I would argue in some cases adjust can definitely be justified, and the grower has a part to play in this too. Large tank mixes, stressed or even sensitive crops in sensitive conditions, like spring Barley offer a case for adjust vs the straight. If a grower is prepared to split down tankmixes and do separate passes or go exactly when it needs on, CCC for example is probably much more justifiable than adjust. But if a grower is busy, or lax when it comes to timings then an agronomist may feel it safer to opt for an adjust over ccc on a late timed large tankmix, and I would agree. Lots of factors have to be considered. This argument is the same for other products and even rates. Its fine to beat up the Agrii, frontier, Hutchinson’s agrovistas and procams of this world but they have a very valuable role and do v valuable work in trials and research. If you are relying solely on the AHDB for info, product choice and especially rates. Good luck to you in keeping your costs down. Spring Barley getting 3-4 fungicides at big rates in treated plots, wise up. That’s not how you test varieties and certainly not how you think about farm profits.
 

Clive

Staff Member
Arable Farmer
Location
Lichfield
Very cheap year here, a few products have gone up a small amount but we have used less product on mosts crops l, it’s been a very easy crop protection year with loads of potential to cut back

Had a meeting with a first year contract farmer last week who said they were over £100/ ac better off than this time last year and crops looked the best they had ever seen them ....... happy customer
 
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Clive

Staff Member
Arable Farmer
Location
Lichfield
Thanks for the helpful replies, Brisel and teslacoils. I'll definitely look into those suppliers, although if fmp is generally competitive then perhaps there's no need to look any further.

We have always said the more that use it the more product we will be able to get and the better prices we will be able to negotiate

It’s much better than it was just 18 months ago when it got started and gains momentum all the time. It’s already a better option than a buying group, similar prices but no commitment membership fees or admin fees etc

It’s a big opportunity for farmers to help themselves, we have not set out to make money from ag Chen’s but we do aim to completely change what is currently a very broken market

Support it and it WILL get stronger
 

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