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  • Fertilizer Still Pays

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    AndresMaria
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    Fertilizer prices have increased significantly in recent years, rising 250-450% over the past 7 years. However, crop prices have also increased substantially, with corn prices quadrupling and soybean prices quadrupling. As a result, the ratio of fertilizer prices to crop prices remains similar to 7 years ago, when fertilizer was found to be a good investment. Returns of $3 or more for every $1 invested in fertilizer are still possible when fertilizer is applied at the proper rate and used efficiently. Fertilizer remains one of the most important ways to increase crop yields and farm profits.

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    2008. Fertilizer Still Pays

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    Fertilizer prices have increased significantly in recent years, rising 250-450% over the past 7 years. However, crop prices have also increased substantially, with corn prices quadrupling and soybean prices quadrupling. As a result, the ratio of fertilizer prices to crop prices remains similar to 7 years ago, when fertilizer was found to be a good investment. Returns of $3 or more for every $1 invested in fertilizer are still possible when fertilizer is applied at the proper rate and used efficiently. Fertilizer remains one of the most important ways to increase crop yields and farm profits.

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    Download as PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
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    10 views1 page

    Fertilizer Still Pays

    Uploaded by

    AndresMaria
    Fertilizer prices have increased significantly in recent years, rising 250-450% over the past 7 years. However, crop prices have also increased substantially, with corn prices quadrupling and soybean prices quadrupling. As a result, the ratio of fertilizer prices to crop prices remains similar to 7 years ago, when fertilizer was found to be a good investment. Returns of $3 or more for every $1 invested in fertilizer are still possible when fertilizer is applied at the proper rate and used efficiently. Fertilizer remains one of the most important ways to increase crop yields and farm profits.

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    Fertilizer Still Pays

    bout 7 years ago I wrote an article titled Fertilizer Still PaysEven in Todays Economy. At that time crop prices were low, with soybeans at $4/bu and corn at $2/bu. Urea was $0.30/lb nitrogen, phosphorus was $0.25/lb P2O5, and potash was $0.14/lb K2O. The gist of the article fertilizer was a good investment, even with the low crop prices. Today, urea-nitrogen is about $0.75/lb, phosphorus is $0.70/lb P2O5, and potash is $0.64/lb K2O. And today, more than ever, farmers are wondering if Fertilizer Still Pays? Fertilizer prices are at historic highs, having increased 250 to 450% in the last 7 years. But corn and soybean prices are also higher; they have quadrupled. With $8/bu corn and $16/bu soybeans, the fertilizer-to-crop price ratio today is not that different from back then. Fertilizer is still a good investment. Applied at the proper rate, and used efficiently, returns of $3 or more are still possible for each dollar invested in fertilizer. The principles of fertilizer economics are just as applicable today as they were 50 years ago. Gordon Nance and John Falloon of the University Missouri, from an article they wrote on fertilizer economics in Better Crops in 1958, summarized it this way: The most promising way to increase volume of business, net profit per unit of production, and net income on most farms is to increase production per acre and increased use of fertilizer is the most important factor in accomplishing this. Now is not the time to cut back on fertilizer few farm investments pay greater dividends. My back-of-the-envelope calculations show that at recent prices, it would take 6 to 7 bu of soybeans and 24 bu of irrigated corn to pay for the fertilizer needed to grow the crop. As you make your fertilizer decisions this fall sharpen your pencil and pay close attention to soil testing, fertilizer rate and placement, and other best management practices that will ensure fertilizers are used most efficiently and I am confident your fertilizer will continue to be a good investment.

    Terry L. Roberts President, IPNI

    Periodicals Postage
    International Plant Nutrition Institute 3500 Parkway Lane, Suite 550 Norcross, Georgia 30092-2806

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