Record fertilizer prices could lead to smaller crops in Mississippi

In JACKSON, Mississippi : Record high fertilizer prices could result in Mississippi farmers planting smaller crops in 2022.

Mississippi is an agricultural state. Jeff Hays, manager of Lowndes Farm Supply, said your production, your co-ops, your tractor dealers, your fuel suppliers, and everyone's impacted.

In 2020 a bag of fertilizer in Mississippi cost $11, but in 2022 the price is $19.95.

The prices went up. Hays added that our volume of sales in tonnage has dropped due to the prices.

Since early 2021, the prices of the main chemicals used in fertilizers, nitrogen, phosphorus and potash have gone up, and potash is close to an all-time high of $800 per ton, according to officials.

Larry Oldham, soil specialist with the Mississippi State University Extension Service, said this is a moment for patience as the storm swirls. He said that farmers who want to make crop decisions for the 2022 season can take steps to limit their costs, and should be efficient with fertilizer applications by conducting careful soil testing, which can help determine fertilizer needs and avoid over-application.

Hays believes that prices could return to normal some time around June because of high prices, which means farmers will purchase less fertilizer, likely resulting in a smaller harvest.

Hays noted that current fertilizer prices per ton have already exceeded previous highs between 2007 and 2008, which was previously set by previous highs.