U.S. farmers cut back on herbicide due to short supply

U.S. farmers have cut back on using common weedkillers, looking for substitutes to popular fungicides, and changing planting schedules because of the shortage of agricultural chemicals that threaten yields.

Amid tight global grain supplies caused by the Ukraine war, reducing the country's exports, spraying herbicides and using less-effective fungicides are increasing the risk for weeds and diseases to affect crop production.

Chemical dealers, farmers, and weed specialists said that shortages disrupted their production strategies and increased their costs.

Shawn Inman, owner of Spinner Ag Incorporated in Zionsville, Indiana, said supplies are the tightest in his 24 year career and that this is off the charts. Everything was delayed, delayed, delayed, he said, as quoted by Reuters.

Shortages reduce options for farmers battling weeds resistant to glyphosate, the key ingredient in the commonly used herbicide Roundup, which has been used for decades in the U.S.

The prices of glyphosate and glufosinate, another widely used herbicide sold under the brand Liberty, went up more than 50 percent last year, increasing the profits of companies such as Bayer, BASF and Corteva.

Agribusinesses are worried about the price of chemicals, seeds and fertilizers because of supply and demand factors, according to the U.S. Agriculture Department.

The agency launched an inquiry into competition in the sector, but some watchdog groups said it is moving too slowly.

Agrichemical companies blamed the COVID 19 pandemic, transportation delays, lack of workers and extreme weather for short supply, and added that fertilizers and some seeds are also in short supply globally.

BASF, a company that makes glufosinate, told Reuters that supply issues will continue into next year.

Scott Kay, the vice president of U.S. crops for BASF, said it was going to take more time than what our customers, farmers and retailers would think.

Tennessee farmer Jason Birdsong said that despite waiting months to receive the herbicide Liberty he ordered from Nutrien Ag Solutions, he abandoned plans to plant soybeans on 100 acres, despite less than half of his order for 125 gallons, he planted corn instead.

Nutrien said that a number of factors have shut down the supply chain during the COVID-19 epidemic, and is providing alternative solutions to customers.

Dealers said the rising popularity of a Corteva soybean variety, Enlist, is adding to glufosinate demand.

Iowa corn and soybean grower Brent Swart said because of short supplies, he is using less glyphosate in the mix of chemicals he sprays, but he does not expect this to reduce yields.

This year has a different feel to it. He stressed that he has never seen as many supply issues.