Story perspectives

Rising Fertilizer Costs Force Farmers to Rethink Crops

3/21/2026

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Summary

Story summary

The surge in fertilizer prices, driven by geopolitical tensions, including the U.S.-Israel conflict with Iran, threatens U.S. farmers' profitability as supply chains are disrupted.
Farmers Rodney Bushmeyer and Lance Lillibridge express concerns about sustainability and viability amid rising costs.
The USDA is surveying planting intentions.
Some farmers are likely to switch from corn to soybeans to reduce fertilizer needs.

History

Historical Context

The Agricultural Adjustment Act (AAA) of 1933, enacted during the Great Depression, aimed to stabilize crop prices by paying farmers to reduce production, resulting in a 25% increase in commodity prices. This federal initiative marked a significant shift in agricultural policy, reflecting ongoing vulnerabilities in U.S. agriculture, as current rising fertilizer costs echo past challenges faced by farmers like Rodney Bushmeyer and Lance Lillibridge.

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Story summary

The surge in fertilizer prices, driven by geopolitical tensions, including the U.S.-Israel conflict with Iran, threatens U.S. farmers' profitability as supply chains are disrupted.
Farmers Rodney Bushmeyer and Lance Lillibridge express concerns about sustainability and viability amid rising costs.
The USDA is surveying planting intentions.
Some farmers are likely to switch from corn to soybeans to reduce fertilizer needs.

1 / 2