With the global fertilizer dynamics through to WA suppliers having changed considerably from traditional times, growers should at least ensure they have some security over their 2027 requirements soon.

Summit Fertilizers Kojonup Area Manager Chloe Turner said “gone are the days” when growers could wait until a few weeks before spreading or seeding to purchase their fertilizer – “even for smaller growers”.

Chloe Turner, Summit Fertilizers Kojonup Area Manager, has urged growers to indicate an estimate of their fertilizer requirements for next season via the Summit Fertilizer Supply Offer (FSO), to effectively put a first right of refusal on the products they may need.

“You need to plan and look at an estimate of what you need,” Chloe said.

“With the instability of markets for both price and supply, companies are not going to hold extra product just for the sake of it.”

She said global supplies of some fertilizers also were becoming limited.

“We used to have a multitude of phosphate suppliers to WA, now with economics and geopolitics we have a more limited number of suppliers and shipping routes available. The dynamics have changed.”

“As a result, don’t wait until next year and hope that a fertilizer company will have something waiting for you.

“As with most WA suppliers, once they have filled their shipping tonnes for certain products, they can cut new orders off.”

Chloe encouraged growers to indicate an estimate of their fertilizer requirements next season, via the Summit Fertilizer Supply Offer (FSO), to effectively put a first right of refusal on the products they may need.

“You are not locked-in with our FSO. It’s just an estimate, and you can change things. Exact pricing to enable growers to fix products is only available when the boats are on the water, but we can provide indicative pricing to help growers with their budgeting.”

“You are just letting us know what you are likely to require, so we can arrange for shipping. Also, growers who have a variable order are normally the first growers to get a phone call to start fixing when boats are on the water, or in-season when the market is moving.

“Our FSO has a lot more flexibility than most of the other offers in the market. It’s variable, so we can go back into it and adjust the order if required. I’ve been with Summit for over seven years now and, during that period, the company has supplied easily over 99 per cent of what growers have ordered on their FSOs. In the very few instances that we can’t, growers are generally happy to swap to a substitute product that matches their requirements.”

With Summit Fertilizers, growers also receive a $2 per tonne rebate they can use towards the total value of soil testing up until July 31 next season.

Chloe said it had been a difficult season for farmers in different ways, including with the rise in input costs and variable seasonal conditions between regions, and conversations between growers and local area managers were important to effectively navigate the way ahead.

“As area managers, we are here to help, keep you informed and to keep you operating.”

“Sometimes things don’t always go to plan, but we will do our best to assist with your requirements. So, contact your area manager for a chat, let us know and we can get the ball rolling with the 2027 FSO for you,” she said.