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War abroad, costs at home: fuel and fertilizer prices rise for farmers

The conflict in the Middle East is driving up ag input prices.

Southwest Minnesota corn and soybean grower Bryan Biegler says he applied all his phosphate and potassium for 2026 last fall.

“Locked in my nitrogen about a day after the war started. I use anhydrous, and at that time it was $905 a ton and now it’s up over $950 and possibly going up even more yet.”

He tells Brownfield he was fortunate to buy and store diesel fuel on the farm months ago.

“Got barrels filled up to get me through the spring and and into summer. But I think from then to now, (diesel) prices are around $1.50 higher than they were at that time.”

Biegler says he’s concerned about how much he might have to pay for fuel and fertilizer in the fall if the conflict persists.