A nationwide survey conducted by American Farm Bureau Federation shows 70% of respondents cannot afford to purchase enough fertilizer to get them through the year.
More than 5,700 farmers from every state and Puerto Rico responded to the survey, which was conducted April 3-11. In Illinois, more than 250 farmers responded.
The analysis reveals almost eight in 10 farmers in the southern US say they can’t afford all needed supplies this year, followed by the Northeast and West at 69% and 66%, respectively, compared to 48% of the farmers in the Midwest.
Just 19% of farmers in the South prebooked fertilizer purchases in advance of planting season. In the Northeast, only 30% of farmers prebooked, followed by 31% in the West, and 67% in the Midwest. Even with higher pre-booking rates, almost one in three Midwestern farmers still report entering the season without securing all their fertilizer needs.
“The results provide an eye-opening look at the realities farmers are facing today,” AFBF President Zippy Duvall said during a media call April 14. “We’ve been hearing a lot of speculation in Washington, D.C. and beyond about the percentage of farmers that have preordered their fertilizers. I think that you’ll be surprised by the degree in which it varies between regions.”
Duvall, AFBF staff and members called the economic situation of farm country bleak, as farmers have dealt with several years of high input costs and low commodity prices. The conflict in Iran as well as closure of the Strait of Hormuz has intensified input challenges as farmers face fertilizer and diesel price spikes.
According to the survey, 94% of respondents reported their financial situation has worsened or remained the same since last year, while only 6% reported improvement.
Survey results also suggest many farmers are already adjusting fertilizer purchases and application decisions in response to rising costs. If disruptions persist, these adjustments could affect yields, acreage decisions and overall production potential in the 2026 crop year, according to an AFBF Market Intel report.
“Spring planting decisions depend heavily on access to fertilizer and diesel fuel, both of which have been impacted by geopolitical risks that have disrupted global markets,” according to the Market Intel. “Since the escalation of tensions in the Middle East, nitrogen fertilizer prices have risen more than 30%, while combined fuel and fertilizer costs have increased roughly 20% to 40%. Urea prices have increased by 47% since the end of February, marking the largest month-to-month percentage increase in the price of urea.”
During the media call, Duvall, as well as two members from North Carolina and Oklahoma, shared how they have pivoted on their farms because of input price challenges, noting fertilizer price spikes have forced them to spread less fertilizer, cut acreage or transition to soybeans.
Lorenda Overman and her husband grow corn, soybeans, sweet potatoes, as well as hay and strawberries, and raise hogs on their North Carolina farm. She did not prebook fertilizer because “we could not make ends meet last year, frankly, and so we were hoping that prices would go down as planting season began.”
Then, with the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, nitrogen prices went up $100 per ton in the first week, she said. The family last year used turkey and chicken litter to supplement nitrogen, but they don’t have that option this year.
“So, we’re going to cut back on our acreage of corn and try to plant a crop that needs a little less fertilizer, …which would be soybeans. We’re also going to spread that fertilizer a little bit thinner,” she said, adding to compound the situation, her area is 8 inches behind on rainfall.
Many of the farmers surveyed said they will forgo applying fertilizer this spring in hopes that prices will return to an affordable level later in the growing season.
“Without the necessary fertilizers, we’ll face lower yields and some farmers will reduce acres altogether, which will impact food and feed supplies,” said Duvall, who had a meeting at the White House last week to discuss the survey results and other matters. “It’s too early to know how this will affect food availability and prices in the long run, but it’s a warning light that we’ve shared with leaders in Washington. We look forward to working with them to find solutions so farmers can continue to feed families across America.”
Illinois Farm Bureau President Philip Nelson thanked the Illinois farmers who participated in the survey.
“Their input is critical as we continue to monitor volatility in fertilizer markets, driven in part by the current conflict in Iran,” Nelson said. “Our leaders are actively engaging with Congress and the administration to pursue long-term solutions that help farmers navigate today’s challenging agricultural economy. IFB remains committed to supporting policies that ensure reliable access to essential inputs like fertilizer and fuel, while protecting the long-term viability of farm operations across Illinois.”
Duvall said AFBF will share the survey results with the White House and Congress. Duvall and staff also pointed to AFBF’s previous recommendations to the White House to safeguard fertilizer supply chains and reduce the risk of market disruptions. The organization also has asked fertilizer companies “to act responsibly” by avoiding price gouging.
The March 9 letter to President Donald Trump outlined a handful of recommended steps, including suspending countervailing duties on imported fertilizer products. AFBF also called for a waiver of the Jones Act, which the administration has suspended.
The first opportunity to see how farmers reacted to fertilizer prices and availability will come with USDA’s May world agricultural supply and demand estimates report, followed by the June 30 acreage report.
Get more survey results and read the full Market Intel at bit.ly/4emk9x0.