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      An extraordinary year needs an extraordinary fertiliser!Widespread fertiliser shortages and soaring prices means many Australian grain producers are likely to cut back on their usual fertiliser rates, leaving them at risk of failing to capitalise on record wheat prices. BioAg Director, Anton Barton, said the cost of most agricultural fertilisers had more than doubled in the past 12 months due to record commodity prices, the rapid expansion of the U.S. biofuels industry and the introduction of fertiliser subsidies in India and Pakistan. “Given that most fertilisers and their ingredients are sourced from overseas, and that Australia accounts for less than four percent of global demand, Australian farmers are at the mercy of this massive supply-and-demand gap,” he said. “As a rough guide, the cost of a typical application of MAP has doubled from $60/ha to $120/ha over the past 12 months alone. In fact, fertiliser prices now account for more than half of all input costs. “As a result, we believe that many farmers are going to be unwilling or unable to implement a satisfactory crop nutrition program using conventional fertilisers.” Mr Barton said BioAg’s unique range of liquid fertilisers presented a cost-effective solution to this dilemma. “At about $10/ha plus application costs, BioAg liquid fertilisers have never looked so attractive, even to those producers who have never considered using them before,” he said. “Sure, a BioAg foliar program involves one or two additional passes over the crop but against this, farmers have to ask themselves if their crops have sufficient nutrition to produce satisfactory yields. “We understand the cost pressures that farmers are facing and despite increased raw material costs, we are committed to maintaining prices for BioAg liquids at last year’s levels.” BioAg fermented microbial liquids provide plant-available nutrients directly to crops, as well as stimulating microbial activity in the soil, thereby maximising plant vigour and yield potential. “BioAg Soil & Seed applied to bare soil and as a seed treatment will improve soil microbial activity, thereby optimising the availability of whatever conventional solid fertilisers you can afford to apply at sowing,” Mr Barton said. “BioAg Balance & Grow applied as an early to mid-tillering treatment will improve plant vigour and root development, helping plants to overcome herbicide stress. “And finally, BioAg Fruit & Balance applied in late winter and early spring in conjunction with a few kilograms of liquid nitrogen will maximise yield potential and grain quality.” |
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