Fertiliser - the Best Time to Buy, Regenerative Farm Business Tenancies, & How Turbo-Charged Bir...

Why It Matters

Understanding fertilizer market dynamics and long‑term tenancy options equips farmers to protect margins, meet emerging carbon regulations, and invest sustainably in future productivity.

Key Takeaways

• Spread fertilizer purchases to mitigate price volatility effectively.
• Nitrogen remains highest risk due to Middle‑East supply constraints.
• Phosphate supplies are tight; avoid delaying DAP orders.
• CBAM carbon tax will increase imported fertilizer costs next year.
• Duchy’s 25‑year regenerative tenancy promotes long‑term farm investment.

Summary

The Farmers Weekly podcast tackled three intertwined themes: timing fertilizer purchases amid volatile markets, a new Bayer fungicide for disease‑prone cereals, and the Duchy of Cornwall’s unprecedented 25‑year regenerative farm business tenancy. Host Hannah Tasker, Louise Impey and Hugh Broom interviewed Origin Soil Nutrition’s Michael Pye‑Smith, Bayer’s Rachel Banks, and Duchy rural director Matthew Morris to unpack current supply‑chain pressures and long‑term land‑use strategies. Pye‑Smith warned that nitrogen prices are the most exposed to geopolitical shocks, especially disruptions through the Straits of Hormuz, while phosphate supplies from North Africa face export bans and soaring sulfur costs. Potash remains comparatively stable, but overall fertilizer prices are flat‑lining rather than resetting, prompting a “little‑and‑often” buying approach to spread risk. He also highlighted the upcoming Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), a carbon tax that will be passed on to farmers as an import levy. Bayer introduced Vivaldi’s, a T‑1 fungicide featuring a turbo‑charged isoblon molecule that boosts efficacy against rusts, including the YR15 strain, and can be used repeatedly across seasons. Meanwhile, Matthew Morris explained that the Duchy’s 25‑year regenerative tenancy aims to align climate‑resilience, profitability and net‑zero goals, offering tenants the security needed for substantial investment in soil health and biodiversity. For growers, the take‑away is clear: diversify fertilizer sourcing, consider phased purchases now to hedge against CBAM and supply shocks, and explore long‑term tenancy models that reward regenerative practices. Adopting advanced crop‑protection tools like Vivaldi’s can further safeguard yields in a weather‑volatile year.

Original Description

As fertiliser prices soar and supplies tighten due to the Iran war, we examine the best time to lock into the new season market.

A 25-year regenerative farm business tenancy is launched as the Duchy of Cornwall takes a long term approach to regenerative agriculture

And how turbo-charged bird counts could benefit growers and livestock priducers as ecologists use artificial intelligence on farm.

Acoustic monitoring technology recorded nearly 20,000 bird calls in just one week on a Dorset farm – showing how different farming practices can boost wildlife.

This episode of the Farmers Weekly Podcast is co-hosted by Johann Tasker, Louise Impey and Hugh Broom. Edited and produced by Johann Tasker.

Contact or follow Johann: linkedin.com/in/johanntasker/ (https://www.linkedin.com/in/johanntasker/)

Contact or follow Louise: linkedin.com/in/louise-impey-95470b20b/ (https://www.linkedin.com/in/louise-impey-95470b20b/)

Contact or follow Hugh: linkedin.com/in/hugh-broom-9b11906a/ (https://www.linkedin.com/in/hugh-broom-9b11906a/)

For Farmers Weekly, visit fwi.co.uk (https://fwi.co.uk/) or follow linkedin.com/company/farmers-weekly (https://www.linkedin.com/company/farmers-weekly)

To contact, sponsor or advertise on the Farmers Weekly Podcast, email [e-mail] (mailto:[e-mail]) .

In the UK, you can also text the word FARM followed by your message to 88 44 0. We'd love to hear from you.

See omnystudio.com/listener (https://omnystudio.com/listener) for privacy information.