(VAN) Gary Schnitkey says the elevated prices, primarily resulting from several global supply challenges, are outpacing stagnant commodity prices.
A farm management specialist at the University of Illinois says fertilizer costs are putting a squeeze on farmers planning for 2026.
“And as we look at nitrogen fertilizer, if anything, it’s gone up in recent months.” He says, “It’s 10 to 15% higher than last year’s levels. That’s pretty high relative to the price of corn that we’re looking at today.”
He says it could result in some farmers cutting back fertility budgets, or potentially planting more soybeans if demand picks up.
“If you’re looking at the nitrogen price relative to the corn price, you’re going to think corn acres go down.” He says, “I would suggest we have to wait a little bit to make that determination and see what happens with the Chinese tariffs on soybeans, and whether we have sales of soybeans to China.”
However, Fred Below, in the University’s Crop Physiology Department, tells Brownfield that cutting back on fertility can have long-term impacts on yield.
“The corn yield starts with and ends with fertility.” He says, “If I want to get the most out of that input, I’m gonna have to think about how I fertilize differently. I’m a huge proponent of fertilizer placement, things like strip till.”
Both say farmers can utilize tools like the Maximum Return to Nitrogen calculator and other technologies to increase the efficiency of the fertilizer they’re purchasing.
Schnitkey adds, “One of the things that we would suggest is doing multiple timings of fertilizer purchases, and this particular too for nitrogen.” He says, “It reduces the risk that you’ll hit the high, and it’s simply a good risk management practice to follow.”
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