Grassland fertiliser costings

[Grassman]

Trrying to figure out what to do with grassland fertiliser this season for haylage and hay production.
Rough costing of 20.10.10 at £650 a tonne.
Put on at 150kg acre and that's around £100 an acre.
£1000 for a 10 acre field
Options are
A. Carry on at usual rate
B. Cut rates down by half
C. Not put any on
In a wet, warm summer results will be very different to a dry summer so it's a gamble to not put any on. Second cut would be a waste of time.
Fodder crops barely pay at today's prices so would need a very big price increase to swallow up fertiliser, wrap, chemicals, diesel, labour and machinery price rises.

How are you planning this season?

 

[bobk]

C

 

[7610 super q]

But surely, most that make hay/ haylage completely ignore the costs and charge £15-20 per bale anyway ?

 

[Grassman]

But surely, most that make hay/ haylage completely ignore the costs and charge £15-20 per bale anyway ?

So very true. I despair at times!

 

[GmB]

Trrying to figure out what to do with grassland fertiliser this season for haylage and hay production.
Rough costing of 20.10.10 at £650 a tonne.
Put on at 150kg acre and that's around £100 an acre.
£1000 for a 10 acre field
Options are
A. Carry on at usual rate
B. Cut rates down by half
C. Not put any on
In a wet, warm summer results will be very different to a dry summer so it's a gamble to not put any on. Second cut would be a waste of time.
Fodder crops barely pay at today's prices so would need a very big price increase to swallow up fertiliser, wrap, chemicals, diesel, labour and machinery price rises.

How are you planning this season?

Cut rates and hope for a kind spring?

 

[Boohoo]

The plan here is more slurry and less fertiliser for first cut, slurry only for 2nd cut. Not selling to any new customers this winter so the surplus from big crops last year can be used to keep regulars supplied next winter.
Asked about fertiliser a few days ago and was told that the price list had been withdrawn so the plan could still change.

 

[d-wales]

Trrying to figure out what to do with grassland fertiliser this season for haylage and hay production.
Rough costing of 20.10.10 at £650 a tonne.
Put on at 150kg acre and that's around £100 an acre.
£1000 for a 10 acre field
Options are
A. Carry on at usual rate
B. Cut rates down by half
C. Not put any on
In a wet, warm summer results will be very different to a dry summer so it's a gamble to not put any on. Second cut would be a waste of time.
Fodder crops barely pay at today's prices so would need a very big price increase to swallow up fertiliser, wrap, chemicals, diesel, labour and machinery price rises.

How are you planning this season?

I'd phone your normal customer and ask them are they willing to pay extra this year, £10 per round bale etc.

If they say yes, then that takes a little bit of stress out of the question...if they say no....then first come first served.

 

[deleted user 837354]

Speak to customers. Tell them either they commit to buying their volume at a price that suits you or you won't put any fertiliser on and there will be a lot less silage/hay about. It's not rocket science.

 

[DaveGrohl]

You could prob cut your P usage for a start. That would save a little. First thing I did when I took over our farm 35 years ago was to stop using 20-10-10.

 

[deere 6600]

The horsey brigade are in for a bit of a shock but like everyone they have a choice .might be a few cheep ponies goin about ,,!

 

[holmes65]

The horsey brigade are in for a bit of a shock but like everyone they have a choice .might be a few cheep ponies goin about ,,!

Told our customers it will be at least 5 per bale more this summer. 4 foot rounds.

 

[Grassman]

The horsey brigade are in for a bit of a shock but like everyone they have a choice .might be a few cheep ponies goin about ,,!

The price increases will be hitting from all sides. Home heating and electricity. Transport. Food. National insurance. Etc etc.
I think some will have hard decisions to make.

 

[Derrick Hughes]

Some farmers think grass won't grow at all without , not joking , I've got a clover grass ley that had nothing last year and grew as well if not better than the fields that had firtlizer, and before anyone starts I've got my farmers hat on today

 

[Gedd]

Told our customers it will be at least 5 per bale more this summer. 4 foot rounds.

Told mine its at least £10 more opening post has it reckoned at £100 an acre more 10 bale an acre not including wrap and diesel etc

 

[davidroberts30]

The horsey brigade are in for a bit of a shock but like everyone they have a choice .might be a few cheep ponies goin about ,,!

ive prewarned all mine that i will be sorting myself out first and if theres any surplus grass ill make for them but dont hold your breath

 

[Grassman]

Some farmers think grass won't grow at all without , not joking , I've got a clover grass ley that had nothing last year and grew as well if not better than the fields that had firtlizer, and before anyone starts I've got my farmers hat on today

When I have had clover in the mix it hasn't made particularly nice hay or haylage

 

[Derrick Hughes]

When I have had clover in the mix it hasn't made particularly nice hay or haylage

Red Clover falls away very quick , seen some dreadfull stuff , needs cutting early ,but not to early first year

 

[Extreme Optimist]

What are your P's and K's like? If the indexes are OK, could probably take a P & K holiday.
Do you put FYM on?

 

[capfits]

Timing the slurry a bit better, ie a little later than normal.
Pick possibly slightly damper conditions to do it.
Continue checking pH on 5 year rotation.
Trim application after second cut a touch.
More acres, got lucky on that one I grant you.

 

[Grassman]

What are your P's and K's like? If the indexes are OK, could probably take a P & K holiday.
Do you put FYM on?

Hardly any muck to put on really.
P&K are OK ish but you can't keep taking away long term.