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Farmers start to lock in fertilizer for 2027 crop

Two Midwest farmers tell Brownfield they’ve already locked in fertilizer for next year’s crops.

“It hurts,” says Bob Metz, who farms with his sons in northeast South Dakota. He says writing the check was tough, but fertilizer isn’t dramatically more expensive than last year.

“Just because it was up so much from last year. It’s a little bit higher for a couple of products, actually a couple dollars less on some others,” says Metz.

In central Missouri, Robert Alpers says the farm has already purchased some dry fertilizer and anhydrous to apply this fall for next year’s crop.

“It wasn’t pretty. The dry wasn’t too bad, compared to last year, but anhydrous was quite a bit higher,” says Alpers.

Both farmers tell Brownfield they’re concerned about global conflict. Metz says farmers in his area are especially concerned about what’s happening with Canada and potash.  

“So far, it hasn’t bothered us, but that could change overnight.”

While the farmers say corn prices have improved some, Alpers says corn in the $6 range would help offset higher input costs.

Hear Brownfield’s interview with Bob Metz.

Hear Brownfield’s interview with Robert Alpers.