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A new nationwide survey has revealed a sharp fertilizer affordability crisis gripping American agriculture, with 70% of farmers and ranchers reporting they cannot purchase all the fertilizer required for the current growing season.

The American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) released the findings on Tuesday, following a poll of more than 5,700 producers across all 50 states and Puerto Rico conducted between April 3 and April 11.

The results come as spring planting is in full swing and fertilizer prices have surged dramatically.

“These results are alarming,” said AFBF President Zippy Duvall.

“Fertilizer is one of the most critical inputs for productive farming, and when farmers are forced to cut back, it directly threatens yields, farm incomes, and ultimately our nation’s food supply.”

Regional Impact And Price Surge

The problem is most severe in the South, where 78% of respondents said they cannot afford sufficient fertilizer.

The Northeast reported 69%, the West 66%, and the Midwest, America’s primary grain-producing region, 48%.

Urea prices have jumped roughly 34% in the past month, while anhydrous ammonia and other nitrogen-based products have risen 30–47%.

Industry analysts point to ongoing global supply disruptions caused by conflict in the Middle East and instability in shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.

Farmers On The Front Lines

Iowa corn and soybean grower Mark Thompson, who operates 1,200 acres near Ames, said he has already reduced his nitrogen application rate by 25% this season.

“I locked in what I could back in February, but the prices kept climbing,” Thompson told AFBF Market Intel.

“I am hoping for a good year, but cutting back like this makes me nervous about what the bin will look like in the fall.”

Many other producers are responding by shifting acreage away from nitrogen-intensive corn toward soybeans, cutting application rates, or experimenting with on-farm nitrogen-generation systems known as “lightning in a tank.”

Government Response

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has begun collecting confidential data from farmers to support a joint investigation with the Department of Justice into possible price collusion and anti-competitive behavior in the fertilizer industry.

USDA officials are encouraging producers to submit information that could assist the probe.

The Trump administration has publicly warned companies against price gouging. Several members of Congress have called for emergency relief measures or targeted assistance for high-input crops.

Potential Ripple Effects

Agricultural economists warn that widespread under-application of fertilizer could lower 2026 yields, putting upward pressure on food prices for consumers later this year and into 2027.

The shift in planting intentions is already reflected in the USDA’s March Prospective Plantings report, which showed farmers planning 3% fewer corn acres and 5–6% more soybean acres compared with 2025.

The full AFBF Market Intel report, including state-by-state breakdowns and deeper economic analysis, is scheduled for release later this week.

With peak planting still underway across much of the Corn Belt, growers still have limited time to adjust strategies.

However, many say the fertilizer crunch is already reshaping decisions that will affect the nation’s food supply for the coming year.