News

Input costs top-of-mind as farmers kick off growing season

Input costs are top-of-mind as crop farmers begin the 2025 growing season.

Iowa State University Extension agronomist Rebecca Vittetoe says most fertilizer decisions were locked in months ago.

“But I had a fair amount of questions during the winter months about looking at those soil tests and really thinking about where do we need fertilizer, and are there areas where we can maybe cut without hurting our yield as well.”

She tells Brownfield in-season management could be the difference between profit and loss this year.

“We always recommend going out and scouting. If we see an issue, especially if it’s an insect (or) disease issue, there’s some things we can do in-season. But if we don’t see the issue, those would be areas where we could save some money as well.”

Vittetoe covers east central and southeast Iowa and says she expects farmers to grow more corn and fewer soybean acres this year.