Well-placed to weather conflicts
Shipping disruption caused by Houthi rebels in the Red Sea has so far not impacted fertiliser prices or supply on farm.
Fertiliser co-op Ravensdown this week paid out an interim rebate of $20/tonne to farmer shareholders.
“This should give farmers confidence as they plan through the winter and head into the spring growth period,” says Greg Campbell, Ravensdown chief executive.
“Those attending National Fieldays will have a little more money in their pockets and we anticipate a flow-on effect to others in the rural communities.”
Ravensdown is also cutting the price of its mainline NPKS inputs. From 10 June, a tonne of potash or urea costs 6% less and granular ammonium sulphate is 9% less. Superphosphate also moves down from $319 to $309 per tonne.
“This price cut is not about shifting more tonnages, but about being more effective and building confidence. The amount of major nutrients we recommend is determined by independent soil testing, computer modelling and input from trained advisors,” says Campbell.
“As a cooperative, our policy is to advise our owners to apply only what’s needed.”
Campbell believes poor quality can be a false economy.
“Prilled urea is good if you’re planning to scatter it by hand, but costly if you’re going back and forth more often in a spreading truck.
Similarly a compacted ammo sulphate will break up and become dusty a lot faster than a strong granule.”
“The early rebate, price competitiveness and spread-ready quality are all about helping farmers optimise value from the land.
“Ravensdown continues to see annual growth in new member shareholders. Hundreds of new shareholders have joined us in the past year.”
This shows the appeal of the cooperative model remains strong, Campbell says.
OPINION: In recent years farmers have been crying foul of unworkable and expensive regulations.
Another 16 commercial beef farmers have been selected to take part in the Informing New Zealand Beef (INZB) programme designed to help drive the uptake of genetics in the industry.
Trade Minister Todd McClay says Kiwi exporters will be $100 million better off today as the NZ-EU Free Trade Agreement (FTA) comes into force.
Making things simpler, not harder, for deer farmers in farm planning and coping with regulations is Deer Industry New Zealand (DINZ) industry capability manager John Ladley’s current focus.
Rural Women New Zealand (RWNZ) is launching an online business directory called The Country Women’s Collective to promote and support entrepreneurial rural women.