Fertilizer Prices Continue Mostly Higher

According to DTN Retail fertilizer prices continue to be slightly higher than a month ago, according to sellers tracked by DTN for the third full week of January 2025. This marks the fifth consecutive week most prices have been higher.

Six fertilizer prices are higher while two are lower. As has been the case in recent months, no fertilizer had a sizeable price increase or decline. DTN designates a significant move as anything 5% or more.

The seven slightly higher fertilizers are DAP, which had an average price of $739; urea $492/ton; 10-34-0 $616/ton; anhydrous $737/ton; UAN28 $326/ton; and UAN32 $367/ton.

Two fertilizers were slightly less expensive than a month ago. MAP had an average price of $809/ton while potash is at $443/ton looking back a month.

On a price per pound of nitrogen basis, the average urea price was $0.54/lb.N, anhydrous $0.45/lb.N, UAN28 $0.58/lb.N and UAN32 $0.57/lb.N.

A recent article from the University of Missouri Extension said corn producers should evaluate their operation for opportunities to reduce fertilizer application in 2025 without reducing yields. Read it here: https://extension.missouri.edu/…. This comes as profitability could be in question in the 2025 growing season for many corn producers.

John Lory, University of Missouri state nutrient management specialist, said those who maintain their soil test levels near optimum face little risk of yield loss when postponing applications of lime, phosphorus (P) and potash (K) for one to two years.

“The goal of current recommended soil test is to ensure no part of the field is insufficient in P and K,” Lory said. “You have multiple years of buffer in the system where P and K soil test levels are medium to high.”

Another opportunity to trim fertilizer costs would be to run a strip trial to see if lower rates of P and/or K reduce yield. A strip trial testing lower rates, or testing zero versus your rate, will reduce your fertilizer costs, he said.

“It is much easier to lose money by underapplying nitrogen than with P and K,” Lory said.

Three fertilizers are now higher in price compared to one year ago. DAP, MAP and 10-34-0 are all 1% more expensive looking back to last year.

The remaining five fertilizers are lower. UAN28 is 3% lower, anhydrous is 4% less expensive, UAN32 is 6% lower, urea is 7% less expensive and potash is 13% lower compared to last year.

DTN gathers fertilizer price bids from agriculture retailers each week to compile the DTN Fertilizer Index. DTN first began reporting data in November 2008.

Nitrogen price have been on the increase since the first of the year, according to Josh Linville, StoneX vice president of fertilizer in his StoneX Media Fertilizer Market Update. You can read about it here: https://www.dtnpf.com/…

Article Courtesy of DTN and Russ Quinn can be reached at Russ.Quinn@dtn.com