Nitrogen Fertilizer Prices Are At a 10-Year Low

Nov 28, 2017

There's welcome relief for farmers managing fertilizer inputs on a tight budget next year.

University of Illinois professor of farm management Gary Schnitkey says average nitrogen fertilizer prices have hit a 10-year low.

"Just to give you a feel for that, we're looking at roughly $400 dollars of anhydrous ammonia in 2017, and that's even down considerably from last year at over $500 dollars per ton."

He attributes the decrease to new anhydrous ammonia plants coming online and fewer U.S. corn acres.

Schnitkey tells Brownfield he does not expect nitrogen prices to go up next year.

"However, it's a commodity and anything can happen. We could see a supply cut for whatever reason that would increase those prices. I think something of a strategy of pricing about half of it now and half of it in the spring, sort of spreading the bet, wouldn't be a bad strategy."

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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.