An eastern Iowa farmer says fertilizer prices have been climbing for years, with the latest spike adding even more pressure on producers.
“We’ve had a problem with fertilizer prices for quite some time now and it hasn’t been dealt with,” Benton County farmer Lance Lillibridge said.
Lillibridge, who raises corn and red angus cattle near Vinton, says nitrogen and phosphorous prices have reached a point that’s simply out of control.
“I’m going to take you back to 2021 where in January I was buying anhydrous ammonia for $490 a ton. In February of this year, ammonia was $850 a ton. The price difference in corn is about 20 cents less right now than it was in 2021.”
He tells Brownfield farmers want more transparency on how fertilizer prices are set.
“When we’re jacking up prices of fertilizer 77% on product that’s actually in the states right now and in warehouses because of something that’s happened half a world away, that’s not right.”
Lillibridge says he fears the situation could have long-term impacts on the ag industry.
“Our young people are going to look at moms and dads and say ‘They are struggling. Why would I want to do this?’ That’s a big problem. People need to start thinking about that, especially our policymakers in Washington, D.C.”
He also says several farmers have told him they intend to plant 100 percent soybeans in the upcoming growing season.
