Friday, 04 December 2015 15:02

Ravensdown’s spring super cap worth $1.3 million to farmers

Written by 
Greg Campbell, Ravensdown chief executive. Greg Campbell, Ravensdown chief executive.

Ravensdown returned savings of about $1.3 million to its farmers.

The savings are thanks to the difference between the two superphosphate manufacturers' web-listed price for customers buying super-based products between September 1 and December 1.

Since 1 September, when Ravensdown capped its spring season super price at $320 per tonne, the value difference compared to the only other superphosphate manufacturer in New Zealand has been $7 per tonne. Some products, such as sulphur superphosphate, saw a $13 per tonne difference across the three months.

"Keeping prices capped and that low for the crucial spring months adds up to an early rebate for customers who needed the money more than we did," says Greg Campbell, Ravensdown chief executive.

From December 1, Ravensdown is taking the lead and reducing potash by $20 per tonne and ensuring other products such as urea and DAP are currently unchanged at $575 and $875 per tonne respectively.

"By moving superphosphate up $10 to $330 per tonne from 1 December, we effectively delayed the impact of any price rise during those important spring months," says Campbell.

"Even with this move, we continue to shield shareholders from the full cost of their superphosphate. We'll continue to closely monitor both global commodity prices and the falling exchange rates over the summer months.

"Despite exchange rate pressures and short term volatility, we are seeing gains in our operational efficiencies and our global suppliers supporting us as we strive to deliver all-year value to shareholders."

As farmers potentially face an El Nino summer, early superphosphate application is advisable to miss the rush before autumn rains hit. Meanwhile N-Protect, which is a coated urea product that reduces losses of nitrogen to the atmosphere, is proving valuable in hot and dry conditions.

More like this

Featured

Every vote will count - Alliance chair

An independent report, prepared for Alliance farmer shareholders is backing the proposed $250 million joint venture investment by Irish company Dawn Meats Group.

John Deere technician's record hat trick

Whangarei field service technician, Bryce Dickson has cemented his place in John Deere’s history, becoming the first ever person to win an award for the third time at the annual Australian and New Zealand Technician of the Year Awards, announced at a gala dinner in Brisbane last night.

Australia develops first local mRNA FMD vaccine

Foot and Mouth Disease outbreaks could have a detrimental impact on any country's rural sector, as seen in the United Kingdom's 2000 outbreak that saw the compulsory slaughter of over six million animals.

National

All eyes on NZ milk supply

All eyes are on milk production in New Zealand and its impact on global dairy prices in the coming months.

Machinery & Products

Amazone unveils flagship spreader

With the price of fertiliser still significantly higher than 2024, there is an increased onus on ensuring its spread accurately at…

Leader balers arrive in NZ

Officially launched at the National Fieldays event in June, the Leader in-line conventional PRO 1900 balers are imported and distributed…

» Latest Print Issues Online

Milking It

Full cabinet

OPINION: Legislation being drafted to bring back the controversial trade of live animal exports by sea is getting stuck in the…

» Connect with Dairy News

» eNewsletter

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter