Crops look well across much of the UK – but grain markets have shown little upward movement despite the higher cost of fuel and fertiliser caused by the Iran conflict.
Cereal growers have two broad options. The first is to invest in crop nutrition in the hope of higher grain prices. The second is to assume little will change and to minimise inputs accordingly.
That said, be wary of letting world news and market noise dictate your actions. Keep your feet on the ground, and make decisions purely based on your own farm and individual circumstances. Focus purely on managing things you can control.
Fertiliser holidays
The idea of stepping back from fertiliser investment – a P&K holiday – is understandable. But think carefully. Phosphate and potash decisions carry less immediate urgency than nitrogen, though deferred investment still has consequences.
Nitrogen is a harder call. For those approaching final applications on winter crops, there may be scope to hold back bought-in fertiliser and carry it forward into the 2026-2027 season. Again, this will depend on individual circumstances.
Yield is still king here. If you start to cut back on nitrogen inputs, which has a yield implication, then obviously that can drive all your other budgeting and costs out of sync.
For farms that have already purchased 75% or more of their fertiliser requirements, the dynamic is different again. Their input costs are known. The focus shifts to making the best possible use of what they have.
Yield potential
Whatever the economic backdrop, crop in the ground still need farming. The number one pillar of yield, biomass, has already been set in the crop. The challenge now is to realise that crop’s full potential.
Several nutrients that are critical at this stage. If you’ve got wheat crops low in boron, then you need to think about that because that is grain set, grain numbers and pollen integrity. Copper is also really important for grain numbers.
Think too about green area duration. Magnesium, potassium and phosphate late on can help remobilise nutrients. Zinc plays a role in nitrogen management. It is particularly important for delivering protein for those targeting milling wheat quality.
The recommendation is tissue analysis – measure the crop, identify deficiencies, and make informed decisions rather than assumptions. Satellite imagery or historic soil and grain data can also help direct where investment will have the greatest impact.
Alternatives
Economic pressure inevitably drives interest in alternatives – foliar products and biostimulants. But foliar nitrogen is not a substitute for soil-applied product – it can support green area duration but cannot replace the nitrogen crops require.
Biostimulants have a legitimate place in crop management, but the priority should be on products with a proven return on investment. Innovation matters, of course, but not at the expense of the fundamentals.
Nitrogen efficiency
The more productive conversation is about nitrogen use efficiency – and ensuring the plant makes the best possible use of what is applied. That means addressing micronutrient deficiencies and managing stress factors.
Informed decisions beat emotional reactions. In a year when every input expenditure matters, harnessing data is essential. Again, that means exploring historic soil analysis, grain data, satellite imagery, and in-field measurements.
The YaraPlus platform, which brings together tools including the Atfarm satellite imagery service, has seen significant development. Better integration makes it easier to find fields, view incoming imagery and track crop development.
Satellite imagery can identify how crops are performing two to three weeks before visual signs are visible. Variable rate application maps can then direct fertiliser where it will deliver the best return, reducing expenditure and wastage.
Use N-testers as a simple, practical tool to assess whether a crop is hungry before committing to another application. Take some measurements. If it’s hungry, then ask whether you’re prepared to invest in the crop?
Pulse options
For those still with spring cropping decisions to make, pulses are worth serious consideration. They reduce reliance on purchased nitrogen and offer a way to manage input exposure without compromising the rotation.
The caveat is that pulses need proper management. The opportunity is not in reducing management effort alongside reducing inputs – it’s in redirecting that effort more effectively.
In summary, make appropriate, field-by-field decisions and avoid blanket approaches. Success in a challenging year comes from marginal gains – monitoring crops, measuring nutrition and acting on what you find.
Finally, don’t take it personally. Remember that volatility is the new normal. If grain prices move, be ready to respond. Don’t lock in decisions and walk away – keep monitoring, keep measuring, and keep managing.
Mark Tucker is an agronomist and Yara’s food chain manager for Europe.