Business  Markets

Tracking Fertilizer Costs for Corn Producers

Fertilizer is the largest variable input expense weighing on corn farmers, historically, according to new data from the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture.

April 09, 2024 11:30 AM • 
Amber Weaver

With planting gearing up comes an increase in fertilizer purchases and the USDA tracked just how much fertilizer takes up of corn production costs.

Historically, fertilizer has been the largest variable expense with producing corn. Even with costs varying from 2006 to 2021, the average cost of fertilizer was $125 per acre. Costs jumped to $225 per acre in 2022, representing an 89% increase. Then costs fell back down to $186 last year, marking a 17% drop.

Other input expenses in the report included fuel, seed and labor.

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Corn Fertilizer Input Costs & Producer Inflation Agricultural Studies & Research
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