Fertilizer Disruptions and Floods Wreak Havoc on Michigan Farmers

The ongoing conflict in Iran has disrupted global fertilizer exports, affecting Michigan's corn and soybean crops. About 20-30% of the world's fertilizer exports pass through the Strait of Hormuz, which is now closed due to the war with Iran.

Fertilizer prices have skyrocketed, with urea fertilizer increasing from $580 per ton on February 27 to $775 per ton as of May 28, a 33.6% hike in just three months.

Corn farmers are particularly affected, as corn is highly dependent on nitrogen. Bill Knudson, an agricultural economist at Michigan State University, said corn uses 'a lot of nitrogen to grow,' making this year 'a really difficult year' for corn farmers.

The flooding and excessive rainfall in Michigan have also impacted soil nutrients, with a study by the University of Illinois finding that excessive rainfall can reduce corn yields comparable to drought. The loss of nitrogen through leaching or denitrification during heavy rainfall is significant, and phosphorus runoff contributes to algal blooms in the Great Lakes.