DTN Retail Fertilizer Trends

By Russ Quinn
DTN Staff Reporter

OMAHA (DTN) -- As has been the case in recent months, fertilizer prices continue to shift slightly lower, according to retailers contacted by DTN in the first week of November 2015.

All eight major fertilizers were lower in price compared to a month earlier but none were down any significant amount. DAP averaged $546/ton, MAP $560/ton, potash $430/ton, urea $405/ton, 10-34-0 $583/ton, anhydrous $633/ton, UAN28 $291/ton and UAN32 $332/ton.

One interesting price to note is that of UAN28. The nitrogen fertilizer's price fell below $300/ton for the first time since September 2010. The average retail price back then was $296/ton.

On a price per pound of nitrogen basis, the average urea price was at $0.44/lb.N, anhydrous $0.39/lb.N, UAN28 $0.52/lb.N and UAN32 $0.52/lb.N.

While prices are moving lower slowly, some retailers believe the fertilizer markets have made their move for now. Mitch Bambauer, manager and agronomy representative for Bambauer Fertilizer and Seed located in Jackson Center, Ohio, told DTN he thinks fertilizer prices could be set for the near future.

"We have seen some softening in the fertilizer markets and I think they have made their adjustment for now," Bambauer said.

Bambauer said many farmers in his home area of west-central Ohio take advantage of the period after harvest to get some fertilizer applied before winter begins. The fall fertilizer application season allows some farmers to shift fertilizer application from the busy spring to the less busy fall and avoids heavy field traffic on typically wet soils in the spring.

"There are a lot of advantages for getting the fertilizer on in the fall and our farmers aren't waiting for wetter weather," he said.

With retail fertilizer moving lower in recent months, only one fertilizer is now higher compared to a year earlier. 10-34-0 is 4% higher compared to last year.

The remaining seven nutrients are now lower compared to retail prices from a year ago. Both DAP and MAP are now 6% less expensive while potash, anhydrous, UAN28 and UAN32 are all 10% lower. Urea is 19% less expensive from a year previous.

DTN collects roughly 1,700 retail fertilizer bids from 310 retailer locations weekly. Not all fertilizer prices change each week. Prices are subject to change at any time.

DTN Pro Grains subscribers can find current retail fertilizer price in the DTN Fertilizer Index on the Fertilizer page under Farm Business.

Retail fertilizer charts dating back to November 2008 are available in the DTN fertilizer segment. The charts included cost of N/lb., DAP, MAP, potash, urea, 10-34-0, anhydrous, UAN28 and UAN32.

DTN's average of retail fertilizer prices from a month earlier ($ per ton):

(MZT/AG)

© Copyright 2015 DTN/The Progressive Farmer. All rights reserved.