DEWEY, Ill. (RFD-TV) — Harvest is in full swing, and we are looking at what next year holds for crop budgets, including fertilizer. One agricultural economist with the University of Illinois says prices could be coming down, depending on your crop.
“Looking at crop budgets for 2026 is where we’re at; we’re building in higher fertilizer costs for corn, and that’s being led by both anhydrous ammonia or nitrogen and DAP,” said Gary Schnitker. “Currently, prices are higher for those than they were at this time last year, so we built in a higher projection. Soybean costs are a little bit lower, primarily because, surprisingly, potash isn’t higher, and the tariff situation, even though we rely heavily on Canada, we seem to have an exemption now, so that’s going to flow okay, I suppose.”
Schnitker adds that early projections indicate soybeans will be more profitable than corn in 2026.
“Higher cost for corn is going to make corn relatively less profitable, and soybeans are impacting that relationship,” Schnitker continued. “We’ll see where farmers make their decisions as far as profitability, but right now, we’re predicting soybeans to be more profitable than corn. So, again, that’s been the case for a while, and you’re beginning to think, well, we do a lot of 50-50 corn and soybeans in this state. Maybe we’re going to have to shade more to soybeans, but that doesn’t look the best either if we consider that China hasn’t bought any of our soybeans, so we’ll see where all that goes.”
The Trump Administration is speaking out. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent says an announcement is slated for Tuesday, promising to assist American soybean growers.
Crop producers face tightening credit and lower incomes, while strong cattle markets continue to stabilize finances in livestock-heavy regions.
November 21, 2025 11:58 AM
·
Removing the 40% duty sharply lowers U.S. beef import costs on beef, coffee, fertilizer and fruit, and restores Brazil’s competitiveness during a period of tight domestic supply.
November 21, 2025 10:30 AM
·
Row crop losses in 2025 are outpacing last year. With no disaster aid yet approved, many operations face a tough financial bridge to 2026 even as Farm Bill improvements remain a year away.
November 20, 2025 05:00 PM
·
Farm CPA Paul Neiffer explains the USDA’s Stage Two Supplemental Disaster Relief Program, including application details, deadlines, and guidance for rural producers.
November 20, 2025 03:34 PM
·
Heavy rains are wreaking havoc on Argentina’s farmland, leaving nearly 4 million acres at risk and delaying corn and soybean plantings in one of the world’s top grain export regions.
November 20, 2025 01:21 PM
·
Bangladesh recently pledged to purchase 700,000 tons of U.S. wheat and has also become a new buyer of American soybeans.
November 20, 2025 12:53 PM
·
Ethanol exports are expanding on strong demand from Canada and Europe, while DDGS shipments remain broad-based and supportive for feed markets.
November 20, 2025 11:12 AM
·
Jerry Cosgrove with American Farmland Trust explains why farmers and ranchers should start their estate planning now.
November 19, 2025 04:44 PM
·
Elizabeth Strom of the American Society of Farm Managers & Rural Appraisers joined RFD-TV to provide the latest perspective on post-harvest business planning and cropland markets in the Midwest.
November 19, 2025 04:19 PM
·
