Weather, Politics and Markets: three things farmers have no control over, and all three seem to be conspiring against the farming community at present. The driest spring in a hundred years in parts of England has made many rethink their winter forage and cropping plans. The politics show that Labour was unprepared for the tough choices of government, and is still dominated by MPs with little understanding of, and in some cases downright hostility toward, the farming industry. Markets seem incredibly volatile, with rapid price movements both up and down making our businesses difficult to run. Calm seas don’t make for good sailors…but this all seems a bit much!
Seeds
As harvest progresses, we have a full range of seeds available here at Foxley. Herbal Leys seeming to have coped well with the dry conditions, we expect to see further uptake of this and many of the other SFI options for those that managed to make their application in time. Italian Ryegrass and Westerwold Ryegrass seed is dearer due to shorter supply, whilst other grasses remain good value. Legumes and Clover seeds are more expensive due to increased use, and we expect to see big demand for the green manure and cover crop seeds due to large uptake of the SOH2 and SOH3 (Multi Species Cover Crop) options within SFI. Stubble Turnips may be in short supply due to one of the larger growers suffering a crop failure. Berseem clover seems to have worked well as a companion to Oil Seed Rape in mitigating cabbage stem flea beetle, and we expect good demand. For grass leys, fodder crops, green manure and cover crops, do please get in touch.
Fertiliser
Like most commodities, this market is a roller coaster based on the whims of Donald Trump and his government, with little indication of where it goes next. Fundamentally, a lot of money is made from the manufacture and shipping of these commodities, and so the people making that money will push for a calmer trading environment. Our view is that values could now start tracking back until late Autumn.
| Guide Fertiliser Prices* 2nd July 2025 | |
| CF Nitram | £N/A |
| Imported Ammonium Nitrate | £385 |
| Protected Urea 46% N | £490 |
| Urea 46% N | £460 |
| Imported 27N + 12So3 Compound | £345 |
| Imported 26N + 37S03 Compound | £355 |
| Blended 0.20.30 *Based on full loads and 28 day payment |
£420 |
Hay & Straw
Lighter hay crops across England will push up prices rapidly, maybe to a point that only the pet and equine markets can afford it. Hay and haylage may be moving from the South West and Wales into England this year due to their better rainfall, which is very much against the normal flow of trade. Straw crops are shorter in length everywhere, and scarcity seems to be a worry. The improved returns in the dairy and beef sectors seem to have found an outlet at the straw auctions, with prices never seen before. Costs to bale, store and transport both hay and straw continue to increase, and sometimes it may be cheaper to buy in a bale than have all the risk and work of buying in the swath.
We welcome your enquiries.