Montana farmers face rising fertilizer costs amid global tensions

MONTANA — Farmers in Montana are grappling with escalating fertilizer costs as global tensions impact their operations. Steve Sheffels, President of the Montana Grain Growers Association, highlighted the issue's significance.

"Fertilizer is by far our farm's biggest cost. It's like maybe 25 to 30% of our total cost for the farm for the year. And when that goes up 30%, farmers feel it," said Sheffels.

The ongoing conflict in Iran has exacerbated concerns about rising costs. Although many farmers have contracts for this growing season, prices were already elevated due to supply chain issues in Canada. Sheffels expressed concern about the potential impact on the next season.

"It's potentially a disaster of epic proportions. We import a lot of fertilizer in the U.S and if we can't get it, we're definitely going to have to pay more money for it. And it might be that we just can't get it. If we can't get it then that's going to affect crops," said Sheffels.

This uncertainty has left producers in a difficult position as they decide what to plant. Walter Schweitzer, President of the Montana Farmers Union, shared his perspective on the challenges faced by farmers.

"It's really choosing the crop that will lose them the least amount of money because of the high cost of inputs caused by tariffs and because of the low prices," said Schweitzer.

Schweitzer also expressed a desire for greater involvement from federal and state governments in regulating input costs like fertilizer.

Jillien Streit, Director of the Montana Department of Agriculture, acknowledged the ongoing fluctuations in fertilizer prices but noted that such challenges are not new.

"Every year there is something that affects fertilizer prices, it feels like. And it usually happens right before seeding. I mean, last year it was tariffs with the other nations, years before that there was shortages of urea coming out of Canada," said Streit.

Streit emphasized that her department is actively monitoring the situation and working with farmers to adjust to these conditions. As a farmer herself, she underscored the importance of community support.

"Ag in Montana is one big family, and we have to work together when it comes to situations like this, where, yeah, we're going to we're struggling a little bit. Margins are going to be extremely tight this year. And we need to really work collaboratively," said Streit.