Fertilizer Shortage Hits Michigan Farmers Amid Excessive Rainfall

Michigan's farmers are facing a tough season due to a combination of rising fertilizer prices and excessive rainfall. The Strait of Hormuz, which has been shut down by Iran, is responsible for around 20-30% of the world's fertilizer exports. This includes nitrogen and phosphorus-based fertilizers essential for corn and soybean production.

Corn farmers are particularly affected as corn is highly dependent on nitrogen. The price of urea fertilizer, which delivers nitrogen, has increased by 33.6% in just three months from $580 per ton on February 27 to $775 per ton as of May 28. Diammonium phosphate, a fertilizer containing phosphorus necessary for soybean production, has also seen modest price increases.

Farmers in the Midwest have pre-booked their fertilizers, but many still report not having enough for the season. Excessive rainfall can further reduce corn yields, especially in colder states like Michigan where evaporation is slower. Heavy rainfall leads to leaching and denitrification, causing a loss of nitrogen and phosphorus in the soil.

Ehsan Ghane, an associate professor and Extension specialist at MSU, notes that phosphorus runoff contributes to algal blooms in the Great Lakes. With water management and soil management techniques, farmers can reduce phosphorus loss but may still face challenges due to rising fertilizer prices and increased rainfall.