Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley says fertilizer costs are top of mind for many farmers across the United States. He worries about consolidation, and he also makes a prediction about what lies ahead.
“The issue will become even more acute in the fall as farmers look to purchase next year’s fertilizer. I’ll continue pushing for the Administration to keep farmer input costs in mind.”
Grassley says there are a number of reasons farmers are worried about these costs, citing geopolitical issues, like the war in Ukraine and a drop in phosphate exports from China. Despite all of that, retail prices have stayed steady in the short term and remain below last year’s range.
Analysts with DTN say prices for all eight major fertilizer types were mostly flat last week, but seven are now higher than this time last year. Urea prices have climbed 32 percent over the past year. UAN-32 is up 30 percent, while UAN-28 is up 23 percent. Potash is the only fertilizer lower this year and about five percent below last summer.
Ohio farmer Chris Gibbs joins us to discuss planting progress, weather conditions, and how geopolitical tensions are clouding his growing season outlook as input concerns continue to escalate.
RealAg Radio’s Shaun Haney and other experts break down ongoing energy market volatility, its impact on producer decision-making, and key indicators farmers should monitor moving forward.
Cotton margins improved slightly, even as fertilizer and fuel costs rose due to the Strait of Hormuz disruption linked to the Iran war.
The latest developments point to shifting export routes, higher congestion risk, and continuing cost pressure for grain, fertilizer, and energy shipments.
Purdue University’s Dr. Michael Langemeier joins us to break down the latest read on farmer sentiment in the April Ag Economy Barometer, and growing concerns about the impact of global conflict on farm inputs and income.
StoneX’s Josh Linville discusses USDA’s efforts to boost domestic fertilizer production and his outlook on supply and prices.