Spring Outlook

Harvesting in the north is underway with Chickpea yields showing good numbers.

Crops in Southern QLD and Northern NSW areas are looking good, with forecasts of above average yields. Unfortunately parts of the south are looking patching, with some growers counting the cost of frost damage and low seasonal rainfall, especially in VIC and SA. Many southern growers have turned to baling struggling crops.

With these factors in play, the Rural Bank is forecasting national wheat production for the 24/25 year to fall to around 30Mt, Barley ~11Mt and Canola ~5 Mt.

Cotton planting is well under way in QLD and NSW with talk of 400,000 ha to be planted across the country.

Fertiliser Pricing Update

Thankfully for farmers, most fertiliser prices have been relatively flat for the year, with global demand only just starting to firm the price of nitrogen and phosphate products.

With relatively flat pricing and potential for further global shocks, now is a great time to lock in fertiliser for your summer crop requirements.

PRICING
The Urea market has remained in the mid 600 – 700 range for the majority of the year with bulk urea prices now back in the mid 600’s ex Eastern ports.

Phosphate prices on the global market have been flat with AP’s trading in mid-$1000’s for most of the year. Single Super is trading in the low $400’s ex eastern ports

SUPPLY
The Middle East Conflict has the potential to cause volatility in the market, especially with Urea pricing as production and shipping could be disrupted. Urea supply between now and New year looks reliable as many importers have good supply on the ground and on vessel. Pricing is rising slightly and needs monitoring with potential further escalation in the Middle East and China limiting exports.

Phosphate pricing is forecasted to remain firm with reduced Chinese supply and an uplift in global demand.

Supply chain issues and the threat of global events remain ever present, so we advise farmers to be organised and secure volume in advance to suit operational timing.

If you are after firm fertiliser prices, please contact us for pricing and options.

Fertiliser Sales Role Vacancies 

We are looking for Fertiliser Sales people to join our team.

These are exciting roles, that are far from being desk bound and you’ll be working with a great team. The roles can be based at Burleigh or working remotely in regional areas. Pacific Fertiliser is on an exciting growth trajectory so now is a great time to get on board.

https://www.seek.com.au/job/79152862?ref=direct-share-hirer-jobs-list

Deep Phosphorous Placement

Long-term research has found that deep banding phosphorus between 10 and 30 cm deep has boosted crop yields for some central and southern Queensland grain growers by more than 10 per cent compared to surface applications.

Nutrients in shallow topsoils can be used inefficiently in dry land  rain-fed cropping, if those layers remain dry for extended periods. This can make those nutrients inaccessible to plants, where as deep placement of nutrients can place fertilisers into soil moisture making them more available.

In another GRDC ripping and deep placement trial in WA it found that applying both gypsum and nitrogen resulted in the greatest density of roots throughout the soil profile. The depth was 55cm and the results were compared to ripping only and ripping with nitrogen.

Source: GRDC’s various trials papers on deep placement of nutrients.