Fertilizer Use Shows Decline

Dec 16, 2022

Overall fertilizer use in Canada appears to be on the decline.

Statistics Canada reported Thursday that 80% of national field crop producers applied commercial fertilizer in 2021, down 9 points from 2017. Meanwhile, that portion of forage crop producers applying fertilizer dipped 2 points to 39% during the same period, while almost two-thirds (63%) of fruit, vegetable, berry and nut crop producers applied fertilizer, down 12 points from 2017.

The report did not discuss the possible reasons for the decline, although a sharp rise in the cost of fertilizer is one potential culprit.

According to a StatsCan farm income report released last month, fertilizer expenses for Canadian farmers increased by a whopping 29.3% to $7.3 billion in 2021. A combination of factors led to the price run-up, including strong crop prices, supply chain issues related to the pandemic, high natural gas prices, and sanctions or duties against Russia and Belarus, two major global fertilizer exporters. With fertilizer on the rise, total national farm operating expenses (after rebates) increased by 10.5% to $60.3 billion in 2021, the largest increase since a 19% leap in 1981.

Click here to see more...

Video: Agriculture Secretary Rollins Speaks at American Farm Bureau Federation Convention in Anaheim

One of the highlights at the 2026 American Farm Bureau Federation Convention in Anaheim, California, was an address by U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins. During her remarks, she thanked America’s farmers and ranchers and said the Trump Administration is fully aware that food security is national security.

She also acknowledged the challenging times in Farm Country with low commodity prices and high input costs and said that’s why the President stepped in to help with the recent Bridge Assistance Program.

Montana Farm Bureau Federation Executive Vice President Scott Kulbeck says that Farm Bureau members are appreciative of the help and looks forward to working with the American Farm Bureau Federation and its presence in Washington, DC to keep farmers and ranchers in business.

Secretary Rollins said the Trump Administration is also committed to helping ranchers build back America’s cattle herd while also providing more high-quality U.S. beef at the meat case for consumers.

And she also announced more assistance for specialty crop producers who only received a fraction of the $12 billion Farmer Bridge Assistance (FBA).

It’s important to note that producers who qualify for Farmer Bridge Assistance can expect the Farm Service Agency to start issuing payments in late February. For more information, farmers and ranchers are encouraged to contact their local USDA Service Center.