Fertilizer costs are rising sharply due to global unrest, and more efficient fertilizer use may help farmers manage price swings, a University of Guelph agriculture professor said on Apr. 29.
The topic is important because high fertilizer prices can have a direct impact on farm profits and ultimately affect food prices for consumers. Supply chain disruptions caused by wars have increased the cost of fertilizers that depend on global trade, while energy costs are also pushing up expenses for mining and production.
Dr. Asim Biswas, Canada Research Chair in Digital Agriculture and Ontario Agricultural College Chair in Soils and Precision Agriculture, said fuel used throughout the fertilizer supply chain is contributing to higher bills. “These prices represent a huge financial risk for farmers this year,” Biswas said. “Fertilizer is often the biggest cost for grain producers.” He added that using technology to improve efficiency offers a way forward: “The goal should not simply to be to produce more fertilizer, but use it smarter,” he said.
Biswas pointed out that tools such as soil-sensing technology and digital decision-support systems can help producers get more value from their fertilizers while reducing environmental impacts. He also mentioned long-term solutions like policy changes aimed at protecting soil health and improving understanding of soil nutrients without sacrificing yields.
“Expanding domestic fertilizer production, supporting innovation in nutrient efficiency, and investing in technologies that improve fertilizer efficiency can reduce vulnerability to global shocks while maintaining high agricultural productivity,” Biswas said.
He concluded by highlighting how these issues extend beyond farms: “Decisions in the field ripple outward to food prices and supply,” he said. “Farmers must make up their increased costs somehow, and that will trickle down to consumers.” Grain Journal provides publications and resources focused on the grain and feed industry according to its official website. The publication manages office facilities at 4800 Olson Memorial Highway in Golden Valley, Minnesota according to its official website. It operates within the grain and feed industry publishing sector according to its official website.
Grain Journal belongs to a group with other publications such as Milling Journal and Seed Today according to its official website. The magazine extends coverage across the United States grain and feed industry according to its official website, offering both bi-monthly print editions along with digital content and e-newsletters according to its official website.
