A new survey from the American Farm Bureau Federation shows that a majority of U.S. farmers are struggling to afford fertilizer, highlighting mounting financial pressure across the agricultural sector as input costs continue to climb.

The nationwide survey, conducted April 3–11, gathered more than 5,700 responses from farmers and ranchers across all 50 states and Puerto Rico. According to the findings, 70 percent of respondents said fertilizer prices are too high for them to purchase the full amount needed for this year’s crops.

Regional disparities were significant. In the South, 78 percent of farmers reported they could not afford sufficient fertilizer, compared to 69 percent in the Northeast, 66 percent in the West, and 48 percent in the Midwest. Pre-purchasing rates also varied widely, with only 19 percent of Southern farmers securing supplies in advance, versus 67 percent in the Midwest.

The report attributes the sharp rise in costs to global supply disruptions, including instability in the Middle East and impacts on key shipping routes such as the Strait of Hormuz. Fertilizer prices have surged alongside energy costs, with nitrogen fertilizer up more than 30 percent and urea increasing 47 percent since late February. Diesel fuel prices have also climbed significantly, rising about 46 percent over the same period.

Faced with these conditions, many farmers indicated they plan to reduce or delay fertilizer application this spring, hoping for price relief later in the growing season. Such decisions could have downstream effects on crop yields and overall production.

Financial strain remains widespread, with 94 percent of respondents reporting their economic situation has either worsened or remained unchanged over the past year. Only a small share said conditions had improved.

Zippy Duvall warned that sustained cost increases could force farmers to cut back on acreage and production, potentially affecting food and feed supplies. He said the organization is raising concerns with policymakers as planting decisions are made under tightening economic conditions.

Farm Bureau officials indicated they plan to continue engaging with federal leaders as supply challenges and input costs remain a central issue for U.S. agriculture.