Fertilizer prices spiked dramatically from 2017 to 2022 and more farmers across the U.S. adopted conservation practices, the latest Ag Census data shows that total overall commercial fertilizer applications dropped and analysis of census data shows total applications by acre dropped in eight of the top 10 fertilizer-use states.
According to data collected from January 2017, to January 2022, overall fertilizer prices increased by about 141%. Anhydrous and urea prices grew by about 300% during that time. Retail fertilizer prices skyrocketed for many reasons, including COVID-19 transportation issues, global supply issues and a countervailing duty battle on phosphorus fertilizer.
The Ag Census shows there were only five states that recorded increases in fertilizer applications during the five-year period, In order they were Kansas, Montana, California, Washington and Mississippi.
Kansas ranked among the nation's top five in total applications in 2022 and was No. 1 with over three quarters of a million acre increase to about 18.9 million. To the state's credit, however, Kansas farmers led the nation in number of no-till acres added with over half a million acres in 2022.