Fertilizer prices spiked dramatically from 2017 to 2022 and more farmers across the U.S. adopted conservation practices, the latest Ag Census data shows that total overall commercial fertilizer applications dropped and analysis of census data shows total applications by acre dropped in eight of the top 10 fertilizer-use states.
According to data collected from January 2017, to January 2022, overall fertilizer prices increased by about 141%. Anhydrous and urea prices grew by about 300% during that time. Retail fertilizer prices skyrocketed for many reasons, including COVID-19 transportation issues, global supply issues and a countervailing duty battle on phosphorus fertilizer.
The Ag Census shows there were only five states that recorded increases in fertilizer applications during the five-year period, In order they were Kansas, Montana, California, Washington and Mississippi.
Kansas ranked among the nation’s top five in total applications in 2022 and was No. 1 with over three quarters of a million acre increase to about 18.9 million. To the state’s credit, however, Kansas farmers led the nation in number of no-till acres added with over half a million acres in 2022.
Missouri landed at number five in the Top 10 list of states with the biggest cuts in commercial fertilizer applications according to the Ag Census. Commercial fertilizer applications fell by more than 1.3 million acres in Missouri from 2017 to 2022. Perhaps the most eye-popping number in the Ag Census for chemicals in Missouri came in the number of acres treated for insects. Farmers in the state reduced acres treated by about 1.8 million from 2017 to 2022. In addition, Missouri agriculture reduced tiling acres by about 73,000, while increasing acres drained by ditches by about 106,000. Producers also bumped up no-till acres roughly 300,000 in 2022. Missouri farmers also boosted cover crop plantings by about 80,000 acres.
