Skip to content
PodcastArkansas Row CropsFeb 15, 2022

How Rising Fertilizer Prices Are Shaping Crop Decisions

Fertilizer prices have skyrocketed, complicating planting decisions for farmers.

AI-generated source brief by USFarms.ag, based on Arkansas Row Crops. How our briefs are made

Source published Feb 15, 2022. Check the source date before applying seasonal guidance. Brief published .

fertilizer pricescrop managementinput costsprofit maximization

Source summary

What this podcast covered

Rising Input Costs

Fertilizer prices have seen unprecedented increases, with urea and DAP prices more than doubling over the past year. This surge is causing significant concern among producers as they prepare for planting season.

Impact on Decision Making

The uncertainty surrounding both input costs and availability is complicating farmers' decisions on how much fertilizer to apply. With crop prices also rising, the traditional profit-maximizing strategies are being challenged.

Utilizing Decision Tools

The Potash Rate Calculator is highlighted as a valuable resource for farmers to determine the most profitable application rates for fertilizers based on current market conditions. This tool can help mitigate risks associated with rising costs.

Key takeaways

5 things worth knowing

  1. 01

    Fertilizer prices have more than doubled in the past year, with urea at $900/ton and DAP at $850/ton.

  2. 02

    Concerns about fertilizer availability are rising, complicating planting decisions for farmers.

  3. 03

    The Potash Rate Calculator helps farmers determine optimal fertilizer application rates based on current prices and yield potential.

  4. 04

    Crop prices are also high, which may influence how much fertilizer farmers decide to use.

  5. 05

    Farmers are encouraged to avoid emotional decision-making and rely on data and tools for their planting strategies.

Source figures at a glance

At a glance

What the podcast covered, in 4 signals

Fertilizer

Skyrocketing

Urea

Prices have surged to $900 per ton.

Fertilizer

Doubled

DAP

Current price is around $850 per ton.

Market

High

Crop Prices

Best prices in a decade for major crops.

Tools

Available

Potash Rate Calculator

Helps determine optimal fertilizer application rates.

Questions & answers

Quick answers

What are the current fertilizer prices affecting farmers?

Urea is currently priced around $900 per ton, while DAP is about $850 per ton, both having more than doubled in the past year.

How can farmers manage rising input costs?

Farmers can use tools like the Potash Rate Calculator to determine optimal fertilizer application rates based on current prices and yield potential.

What should farmers consider when deciding on fertilizer use?

Farmers need to balance rising fertilizer costs with the potential for high crop prices, making informed decisions based on data rather than emotions.

Weekly U.S. agriculture digest

Get the weekly U.S. agriculture digest

One email. Agriculture across the United States this week: interviews, the reviewed feed, and new farmland listings.

USFarms.ag organizes and summarizes public farmland, agriculture, and commodity-related information. Summaries may contain errors and should not be treated as financial, legal, agronomic, or real estate advice. Sensitive land-sale, rent, ownership, and parcel-specific information is intentionally excluded.