Fertilizer prices expected to double
30.09.2008 21:01
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- Source: cbc.ca
With fertilizer prices going up faster than the price of fuel, some P.E.I. farmers are wondering how they are going to cope with the increased cost. 'We're here because we love the life, but we've also got to make a living.' Norman Larter, dairy farmerNorman Larter, a dairy farmer in Winsloe, north of Charlottetown, grows much of his own feed. He's been told by his fertilizer supplier that prices are expected to double next year. Larter told CBC News Friday this year's fertilizer bill was $14,000; next year it could be close to $30,000. "I can't afford that," he said. "I have to go organic or I have to do something else. I have to change what I'm doing because I will not be able to consume the increases and still have a viable operation. I can't." Two fertilizer companies told CBC News the price of some ingredients used to make fertilizer, including potash and nitrogen, are increasing. "We buy in international fertilizer markets and fertilizer markets all over the world have gone up, driven by strong demand for fertilizers," said Andrew Robinson, general manager for P.E.I. Agromart. Demand for fertilizer is up in India and Japan, and also in North America for corn to make ethanol. Larter is worried about what will happen if prices for fuel, feed and fertilizer continue to rise. "If things don't change, there's going to be nobody left farming," he said. "We're here because we love the life, but we've also got to make a living." Robinson said fertilizer prices are cyclical and could come down again at some point. Consumer HeadlinesWebsite, phone lines for do-not-call list overwhelmed So many people are trying to register their phone numbers on the federal do-not-call list, the website has crashed and the phone lines have a constant busy tone.Decline in new listings brings balance to real estate market: CREAThe number of homes listed for sale across Canada fell in August, indicating the real estate market has reached a comfortable balance, show figures from the Canadian Real Estate Association.Paying bills getting harder, say debt expertsMore Canadians are seeking financial relief through debt counselling agencies after maxing out their home equity and finding they're having trouble making their monthly bills, say experts.Do-not-call list will boost direct mail, marketers sayStarting Tuesday, Canadians will be able to register their phone numbers on a national do-not-call list, but they may find telemarketing calls replaced by junk mail and spam.Dutch trinkets appraisal show turns up Brueghel treasureA Dutch version of the popular television program Antiques Roadshow has uncovered what is believed to be a previously unknown work by 17th-century Flemish painter Pieter Brueghel the Younger. Consumer Life FeaturesAUTOSBargain huntingCars worth a second lookISSUE WATCHTelecomThe non-debate over your wireless billsSAFETYRecalls and AdvisoriesECONOMICSFinancial crisisKey participants in the U.S. bailout bidBLOGFood BytesCOMM-ODDITIESMoneyBillions of possibilitiesPeople who read this also read …
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