Orion Farming Monthly Newsletter January 2026

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Happy New Year!

As we enter 2026, the crops are still looking well, making things feel a little more optimistic for the season ahead compared to this time last year!

Delayed Payment on Spring AgChem

There will be offers on delivery and payment options for spring chemicals. For selected products ordered in Jan and Feb and delivered on farm by Mid-March, then payment will be delayed until June. We will issue more details as we get them and/or please talk to Shelley.

Oxford Farming Conference

Rachel and I will be attending the Oxford Farming Conference in early January – always an interesting and optimistic event. If any of you are also attending it would be great to have a quick catch up over a coffee. I will report back on some of the highlights. 

Stuart

Newsletter topics for January 2026

Fertiliser Market update

Market activity across global fertiliser sectors has slowed as the year‑end approaches, with varying pressures on pricing and supply. Spring logistics and product availability remain key considerations for UK growers.

Urea & Ammonium Nitrate (AN)

Global urea markets are quiet, with regional price pressure varying.

UK urea prices have eased slightly due to imminent vessel arrivals and a weaker exchange rate. This is expected to be temporary, with values likely to firm as demand returns.

Nitrates

CF Fertilisers is sold out for January and and February close to completion with late March the next expected availability.

Nitrate pricing is expected to remain firm and may increase as spring requirements build.

Supply into early 2026 is limited, reinforcing the need for forward planning.

Sulphur

Sulphur availability into the UK and Europe is reduced due to factory production cuts.

EU tariffs continue to restrict Russian sulphur, preventing UK access to this supply.

UK‑produced polysulphate remains a key option for growers looking to secure sulphur requirements.

Straights, PKs & NPKs

Phosphates: Global values remain slightly weaker due to ongoing subdued demand. However, UK spring pricing may be higher due to vessel lead times.

Potash: Prices are marginally lower, influenced by soft global demand and exchange rate changes.

With potential pressures on supply chains and logistics in early 2026, growers are encouraged to have material on farm well ahead of usage.

Logistics

Spring logistics capacity is tightening, with expected bottlenecks in delivery and handling.

Growers are advised to secure at least part of their spring fertiliser needs as soon as possible to ensure timely supply.

Orion App and Website

The Orion App has been closed now.

We are focusing on improvements to our website, which will offer the same services as the app in a more cost-effective way.

You can now use the website on both desktop and mobile where we have added a NEW PAGE to enable you to:

• Send an order or price request

• Submit electricity meter readings

• Make general enquiries

We have added a file upload link (which can also be a photo) which has many helpful applications for meter reading pictures to product enquiries - as a picture can paint a thousand words!

If there is a missing feature on our website that you would like to see please let us know!

We have also improved the Supplier Search area. If you are looking for a specific product or supplier within the Orion Farming Group, you can use a keyword search to do this. This links directly to our database.

Feed and Livestock 

GLW & Hipro Soya

Since May 2022 GLW Feeds have been sourcing 100% Deforestation Free Hi-Pro Soya Meal from Canada and North America. This is grown as an “arable crop” in specific areas of these countries, and is not therefore associated with any deforestation on the land on which it’s grown. It is the only soya that they use in their mills and at their blend unit. 

In recent years, they have had numerous discussions with various milk buyers and Arla for example, are happy that the guarantee they provide enables their customers to score the full 11 points available for soya sourcing in their sustainability scheme. This directly has a beneficial effect on the milk price received by that producer. Should you wish to discuss this matter in greater detail, please contact Geoff Homewood on 07974 684753.

Hydramix & Envirolac

Nadins, the manufacturer of Hydramix had a breakdown at their plant several weeks ago resulting in a significant reduction to their output of the product. At the time of going to press, the problem had still not been resolved and there is no indication as to when it will be. This has meant that the lead-time for deliveries has increased quite dramatically, over two weeks now seems to be the norm. Similarly, the lead-time for Envirolac can also be anything up to two weeks. For those members who use either of these products, please bear this in mind when planning your requirements.

Sheep Energy & Protein Buckets

One of the Group’s suppliers is running a promotion on sheep and energy buckets available in 20kg and 80kg sizes, 15% protein, 12ME, with a 12-month shelf life and available for delivery in January and February and cost £879/T. Please contact the office if you’d like to place an order.

And finally, totally irrelevant but quite interesting facts…….

In 1952, the Great Smog of London was so bad that blind people led sighted people home from train stations and a boa constrictor monitors its victim’s heart and stops squeezing when it stops.

Joe Cobb, Feed & Livestock Manager, 01865 393 139

Feed and Livestock deliveries in the lead up to Christmas

With less than a month until Christmas, please ensure you order all your requirements in plenty of time., particularly compound feed, ( for those members who are supplied by GLW, they’re currently quoting 7 working days lead time) and minerals, which can take in excess of 10 working days. Haulage becomes increasingly stretched at this time of the year, so please bear this in mind as well. Also, ensure you have enough of your requirements to last you well into the New Year, realistically things will probably not get back to normal until after the 5th January.

New Suppliers

In December I visited Wisdom Systems.

Over the last 25 years they have developed an excellent Closed Transfer System. It allows the transfer of chemical from container to the sprayer to be carried out in a quick, safe and sustainable way.

A much faster transfer speed of chemical to the tank, typically an extra 1-2 loads per day can be applied

Minimises manual handling of chemical – direct transfer from container to sprayer

Reduces exposure to chemical by the operator and environment – products are premixed in the tank

Removes the need for single use plastic.

I have signed Wisdom up as a new supplier to the Orion Group. If you would like more information, please get in touch with me or contact them direct and let them know you are an Orion Member - Stuart

Visit https://wisdomsystems.co.uk/agro-chemical-cts/

2026 Diaries

We will have lots of free 2026 diaries, calendars and wall planners delivered to the office in the coming weeks. Let us know if you would like any and we will get them sent out to you!

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