For the first time this spreading season, there appears to be some movement on the fertilizer market, thanks to the spring troubles that are observable to a certain extent. To a certain extent yes, because although quite a bit of manure has been spread in the center of the country, this is absolutely not the case in the south due to the precipitation. The differences are large, with the pressure on the fertilizer market remaining unchanged in the southern regions.
It has been running and standing still so far this riding season. Typical spring weather alternates with rain showers, making riding possible one moment and the conditions disappointing the next. A fair amount of manure has now been spread in Flevoland and the surrounding regions, while winter grain is also being fertilized in the north. Several contractors in the above areas indicate that they are busy, but with the comment that what is being fertilized does not look 'very nice' everywhere. In the south the picture is very different. Manure transporters and contractors have hardly been busy due to the precipitation, as more fell there again this week than above the rivers. "It is still an occasional load here and there. The storages are not becoming empty and if some space is created, it can be replenished in no time," says a fertilizer intermediary.
Precipitation also fell in the center of the Netherlands, but spreading continues well. "We have been very busy and the plans for the coming days are quite full. Even after it rained, things went well. Due to all the rain, the ground seems to have settled somewhat and so we continue to drive," says a contractor from the Flevopolder. .
Cattle slurry is decreasing
The selling prices for manure are moving to a certain extent due to the increased demand, according to the weekly fertilizer quotations from DCA. On average, cattle slurry has taken a small step down this week (week 11), with small reductions in areas where manure spreading is easily possible, such as Barneveld and Lichtenvoorde. The selling price of cattle manure is also falling slightly in the north. Manure transporters and contractors indicate that if precipitation remains limited in the coming period and spring weather continues, this downward trend may continue. To what extent that is remains a matter of speculation and will depend on the further course of the season. Fattening pig slurry shows a minimal decrease across the board.
Big difference
Manure intermediaries in the south indicate that the flag is very different under the rivers because little has been spread to date. The stores and manure cellars are full to the brim. A reduction in selling prices is far from an option and this week's rainfall is preventing manure injectors from getting to work. A manure intermediary indicates that the pressure on cattle slurry is actually increasing further in the south.