News

Good fertilizer supplies expected this spring

The leader of The Fertilizer Institute does not expect any severe fertilizer supply chain problems this spring.  Jason Troendle tells Brownfield there are often temporary problems with transportation and logistics, but what farmers need should be available. “The good news for growers is that we have a robust domestic industry. We also rely somewhat on imports, and so going into this spring, It’s just going to be about communicating, being sure your needs are known for the retailer so they can be sure they have the product there, but from our perspective, what we can see, the products should be available.”

One concern Troendle has is how much fertilizer has made its way upstream from New Orleans because of low river levels. “Some of that product, they would have probably loved to stage or move during the wintertime or during the fall. That may have to wait until the spring.”

Troendle says prices on the P and K products fell first, and nitrogen has begun to fall, so he encourages producers to work with their dealers now. “Communicate early, communicate often, and so hopefully, that product can be there, but it is something we’re watching very closely.”

Troendle encourages growers to use marketing tools to lock in some commodity prices now to set a fertilizer budget that keeps them profitable.

Troendle spoke with Brownfield during the recent Wisconsin Agribusiness Conference.