LAKELAND, TENN. (RFD NEWS) — Fertilizer affordability will take center stage tomorrow as the Senate Agriculture Committee holds a hearing focused on supply chain challenges and rising input costs facing farmers nationwide.
Lawmakers are expected to hear testimony from groups including the Kentucky Farm Bureau, National Corn Growers Association, and The Fertilizer Institute as concerns mount over tightening supplies and elevated prices ahead of the growing season.
Some fertilizer nutrients have surged nearly 50 percent compared to a year ago, adding more financial pressure to an already strained farm economy.
Current fertilizer estimates continue reflecting those higher costs. As of 8 AM ET on Monday, the latest market data show UAN-28 and UAN-32 are both up 6 percent over the past month, while anhydrous ammonia has climbed 5 percent during the same period.
Year-over-year gains remain steep. Urea prices are currently up 45 percent from this time last year, while anhydrous ammonia prices have risen 43 percent.
Georgia Cotton Farmers Strained by Fertilizer Increases
The issue is especially apparent in the Southeast, where growers are navigating both high costs and dry weather conditions.
Reporting from Tifton, Georgia, Damon Jones with The Farm Monitor highlighted how farmers are adjusting as fertilizer prices continue to climb, noting that prices are up more than 20 percent across the board, while nitrogen — a key input for cotton production — has jumped roughly 50 percent.
Agronomist Doug Amarel says that disruptions tied to the Strait of Hormuz have limited fertilizer imports from the Middle East, tightening domestic supplies and driving prices higher.
He noted that growers are being forced to focus on efficiency and smarter nutrient management rather than simply reducing fertilizer use altogether. He highlighted that soil testing is a critical first step in building a nutrient plan and said that splitting fertilizer applications can help improve efficiency during a costly production year.
Jones also noted that persistent dry conditions across the country are adding another layer of uncertainty for producers trying to manage both crop needs and rising expenses.
High fertilizer prices continue to weigh on farmers across the country, prompting many producers to explore additional ways to improve soil health and manage input costs. One growing trend is increased interest in carbon-based products as alternatives to traditional salt-based products.
Fred Nichols with Huma joined us on Monday’s Market Day Report to discuss the trend and what is driving producer interest.
In his interview with RFD News, Nichols discussed the growing popularity of carbon-based products among farmers and the factors contributing to that interest. He also explained what carbon-based products are and why many producers find them attractive.
Finally, Nichols outlined how these products may impact soil health, including considerations for highly fertile soils and other factors farmers may want to evaluate when making management decisions.
LEARN MORE: www.huma.us
Corey Rosenbusch with The Fertilizer Institute joined us to discuss supply chain disruptions and what farmers should watch as global tensions impact fertilizer markets.
