Farm Profitability Pressured by Fertilizer Costs

NDSU Extension has released projected crop budgets for 2026. “One of the problems is that fertilizer costs per acre are higher,” said Ron Haugen, farm management specialist, NDSU Extension. “The actual fertilizer nutrients in the soil are higher, so the fertilizer application rates should be lower, but then the cost of fertilizer is higher, so the overall rate is higher.” As a result, Haugen said any crops that use fertilizer, such as corn and wheat, will have trouble breaking even. Lower commodity prices aren’t helping. “The yields have been fair, but the revenue generated is not going to be enough to pay these expenses.”