19.03.25
Spring sowing is progressing with cautious optimism as farmers adjust to the challenges of previous seasons.
With changing conditions, I’m hearing from Members that they are carefully selecting crops that align with current weather patterns, soil health, and market opportunities.
This spring, growers face critical decisions around crop selection, rotation management, and potential benefits of planting short-term cover crops.
Key factors such as seed availability, forward pricing, and land conditions are playing a significant role in shaping planting strategies.
In response to last year's challenges, I’m hearing some Members are adjusting their crop choices. That's echoed in seed sales. Spring barley has gained popularity. Dominant varieties, as expected, are Laureate and Skyway. They are in high demand, with many suppliers already running low on stock so I recommend ordering soon if you haven’t already. Oats have also seen a resurgence.
However, in some regions spring barley sowing may be reduced due to an increase in winter wheat acreage, which could limit space for spring crops.
Meanwhile, oilseed rape continues to decline in favour of other options.
Kateryna Prylutska, Seed Procurement Manager
19.03.25
DEFRA’s sudden closure of the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) on 11th March has caused considerable concern.
Farmers are now left with wasted preparation costs and no clear path forward. A real blow for those hoping to still join the scheme and change their farming practices to secure a better environmental and financial future.
What does the closure mean?
All existing agreements will continue to receive full funding
Valid submitted applications will be considered
SFI pilot holders can apply when their pilot agreement ends
New applications will not be accepted.
Why has this happened?
The government states the 2024 scheme has "reached its completion" after successfully allocating the budget to 50,000 farming businesses, with over half of the farmed area now managed with SFIs in place. There are currently 37,000 live SFI 2024 agreements.
It was noted that the government inherited an uncapped scheme and, due to high levels of participation, the spending limit has now been reached.
What’s in store?
SFI has played a crucial role in supporting sustainable food production whilst safeguarding the environment. DEFRA has indicated plans to reform the SFI scheme and has suggested a revised scheme may be introduced after the Spending Review in Summer 2025 but won't be available until 2026.
1. The government plans to "reset" by preparing a new, improved version of the SFI, focusing on a food production-driven sector that supports resilient farming, nature recovery, value for taxpayers, and sustainability.
2. The budget will be capped, with controls implemented to ensure affordability and align the scheme with food production, farming, and nature goals.
3. The government states it wants feedback from farmers to develop the scheme.
4. New policies have been announced in recent weeks to promote farm profitability, including reopened FETF, Capital Grants and Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier, which we should have further information on over the coming months.
Let’s hope, although this is an abrupt change, over the coming months there will be more thought into what’s next and this government continues to show support for those who farm and care for the countryside.
We will monitor government updates and tell you about any developments relating to SFI. We can also help you explore what other support may be available and will review details for the grant funding when they come out in summer 2025, which we’ll share with you as soon as they’re available.
Lauryn Canham, Rural Business Specialist
19.03.25
We’ve received new season prices from most suppliers. On the whole prices have remained stable or fallen, and T1 and T2 fungicide markets will be competitive for new and existing products.
Last week we emailed a link for our Crop Protection Early Order Form 2025 to primary contacts for all AF memberships. Use this form to tell us which products you want to order.
If you’d like us to send you the link again, or send it to one of your colleagues, let us know.
Your AF Root Crop Early Order Form Spring 2025 will be available soon.
Rebecca Archer, Senior Crop Protection Specialist
19.03.25
We’ve heard that Farmers Weekly will soon publish an article about counterfeit crop protection products.
It’s not a new problem. Earlier this month, one of my colleagues was at Aspatria Farmers Ltd in Cumbria. The oldest agricultural co-operative in the UK, Aspatria was established by farmers to combat being sold poor quality and counterfeit fertiliser products.
At AF, we procure products you need through trusted and reputable suppliers to give you peace of mind. Our advice to our farmer Members is to be vigilant and only buy products from reputable suppliers and distributors.
Rebecca Archer, Senior Crop Protection Specialist
19.03.25
It may seem obvious but supply to farm has been under extreme pressure due to the better weather most places have had in the last few weeks.
Added to that, some growers have ordered later than usual, and suppliers haven’t been prepared to produce product unless already ordered. To add fuel to the ‘fire’ there is a shortage of FIAS accredited hauliers to get product despatched.
Deliveries are slowly catching up and we continue to chase suppliers to get your fertiliser on farm. If you need to order, bear in mind delivery lead times are longer than usual.
Mark Southwell, Fertiliser Procurement Manager
19.03.25
Urea: Prices have eased for suppliers purchasing, but we've not seen this translate to on-farm prices. This is prompting importers to stop ordering vessels. They will now wait to commit until, possibly, the new season starts.
AN: Energy prices have decreased but are still relatively high, making production expensive across UK and Europe.
P & K: Supply of MOP has tightened due to increased global demand (historically 66-67m tonnes, now 75-77m tonnes). If President Trump imposes 25% tariffs on Canadian supply, US farmers will see a $100/t increase which could have a massive impact on global prices and availability. If you haven’t committed already, my advice is to act now.
Mark Southwell, Fertiliser Procurement Manager