(NAFB) After years of crop costs ratcheting up along with fertilizer prices, the cost of corn and soybeans have dropped compared to last year and farmers are looking at ways to cut back to turn a profit.
That shouldn’t be through reducing nitrogen, though, according to Chad Hart, a farm economist with Iowa State University. Farmers need to find the spot where they can save money while not damaging the yield.
A challenge with something like fertilizer, where prices remain historically high.
Melissa Miller is with the Iowa Nitrogen Initiative, she’s been researching how much nitrogen a crop needs.
Miller says the big question is ‘why that is?’ The answer could make farmers more profitable.
Outside of nitrogen, Hart says there are opportunities in some areas for farmers to beat the markets with basis.
For farmers wanting a detailed look at their operation, Hart says Iowa State University has an estimated cost of production with excel spreadsheets on its ag decision maker website…tape
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Submitted by Micheal Clements on Tue, 04/09/2024 – 11:24
Story Number:
18
Source:
FBRD (Farm Broadcaster)
Audio provided by David Geiger, WHO, Des Moines, Iowa
