Just wondering?

[haveapulse]

Is anyone concerned over the % of market share AGRIUM will have as a supplier of inputs?
Is anyone questioning the highest prices of fertilizer with the lowest price of natural gas and how it potentially relates to input costs?

[bucket]

Yes.

And if you are concerned you should let the competition bureau know.

Lowest natural gas prices and high fertilizer prices don't make sense and then add in a par dollar. When the dollar was 75 cents it was the high price of natural gas and the low canadian dollar causing high prices.

The government just got rid of one monopoly and the government allows another to start up. Makes no sense.

[riders2010]

We have no time to worry about trivial things like price fixed exaggerated input prices, we are just so giddy about the foreigners that will buy everything out when we go broke because their investments have raised the cost of land so that the numbers don't work to actually be a farmer. Unless of course you have a high margin in instability which a middleman arranging foreigners and a group of accountants can fix for you by rearranging who is farming what acres and what expense will go to which farm so that max amount of gov tax money is collected.

So in short NO worries. lol

We are in awe with he amount of foreigners filling up the rural towns because farms are getting bigger! lol that is just way too funny!

But to be serious great question, I'm sure the answer on this forum is that this is all just progress and if you say anything against progress you are a left communist. This comes from the right communist lovers! lol

[furrowtickler]

I will be concerned next fall/Dec, when it's time to buy again. If it's still high then or goes higher, then it will hurt. Right now only those who did not buy or who are still runnin around renting more dirt are concerned. Inputs are a killer now but manageable last fall.
Market share, hopefully a big push on FNA to bring in a huge amount of overseas fert next fall.

[Burbert]

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA, lets see, high N
prices are cause the Amerikins are gonna
plant a huge, huge, huge corn crop in the
states, cousin Chines have overstated
their crop! Up goes N and comedian
framers lovea challenge don't we?

[rook]

Of course Agrium's market share will be a concern. If you share this view, make two phone calls - one to your MP and one to the competition bureau.

[Hopperbin]

Viterra shareholders must first vote on the sale may 29 to close the deal in Vittera's third quarter ending July 31. Word is the Humboldt location will be completely run by Glencore and not part Agrium.

[wilagro]

Cry you farmers, cry...you're getting no more than you deserve. Business is business and the government through the Competition Bureau will do NOTHING. Your MP will do NOTHING.

The deal will go through and Agrium will win. If you don't like to buy from another supplier or if the price is too high then DO WITHOUT or import your supplies from RUSSIA.

Trust in this "Harper" government to do anything for your is misplaced...you are TOAST.

[tipsy]

Haveapulse I don't like the deal or where fertilizer prices are from where they should be. But my spider senses are telling me this is a done deal and we can continue to be gouged by Agrium for fertilizer.

[countryguy]

Why do farmers of the world use this shit at all? Why do we aim to produce bumper crops every year? Wouldn't we be better off producing small crops with low inputs? Our net returns would at least stay the same and probably be better because the prices would increase due to supply and demand and with all this shit weather we wouldn't be as hurt if we didn't get a crop. The corporations would be taught that the one's owning the land, not the input suppliers are the one's that run the show.

[Hopperbin]

Especially towards Wilagro's and Countryguy's posts. Not sure what to say to your comments feel like your both an embarassment to Canada as a nation. OK I will add Burbert also so your not so lonely. Check how to contact the competition bureau in new post above.

[rhoff]

Country guy can you explain to me how you are going to replace the nutrients you export.Even Your 15 bushel wheat crop is going to remove nutrients from the land.Your basically proposing we all become a mixture of farmer/miners.
To the others if Agriums main input(natgas) is cheaper why are they obligated to give the savings to you?If fertilizer were cheaper would you phone up the grain company and tell them to give you less?I really doubt it.

[SASKFARMER3]

rhof AH you must have not been around a
few years ago when Ngas was sky rocketing
and all the fert companies said we have to
pass on the cost to customers even if the
price of grain is in the tank. It never
went down. Their crooks. Sorry! but thats
the truth!

[Choice2U]

I guess I am not so gullible as to believe that the Agriums of the world have my best interests at heart and will never tell their version of the truth...I think it's called marketing. Many a time in the past, the price of N fertilizer and the price of N gas had nothing to do with each other so why would they now. It's all about supply and demand around each plant. Consider the analogy of a "pie" with the fertilizer plant in the middle assuming equal freight outward. The major competition to Agrium is product coming in through New Orleans. In high world demand, there is less off-shore product that moves into the US gulf so the likes of Yara and Koch move more product south (their "pie" moves south so there is less competition with Agrium). When there is more product coming in through the US gulf and that area becomes more competitive, the Yaras and Kochs have to move their pie north which increases competition with Agrium's plants in Canada. Therefore, be aware of world product supply, shipping rates, floods or low levels on the Mississippi which can affect barge traffic to Minneapolis (an unload point), hurricanes which can affect US gulf unloading points, avoid buying just before spring, etc. Agrium has a strong hold on in-season Canadian market share (including N but especially P & AS). I am concerned about Agrium's market share, therefore, I will be dealing with other companies and independents which buy from multiple sources. Also, I will make sure my fertilizer storage requirements are adequate so I can buy out of season when I think the price will be the best. With that being said, some day the price might be the best just before spring just like delivering off the combine has been the right decision at times. Just imagine what it would be like today if Devine's Gov't and Cargill had not teamed up to form Saskferco in the 80's.

[oliver990]

isn't it correct that some of the CPS aquisitions are a result of unpaid bills owed to Agrium? Not saying in all cases but it has happened.