Rodney Bushmeyer has been farming for as long as he can remember. It runs in the family. His father and grandfather were also farmers. The Bushmeyer Farms in Illinois has been around for over a century, ever since his ancestors arrived from Germany and began clearing land as homesteaders.
At 69, Bushmeyer enjoys the beauty of sunrises during his daily work. He’s currently planting wheat, followed by soy and corn. Soon, his fields will burst with green.
“It’s a great life,” he shares, but like many farmers, he’s facing challenges. Over the past five years, fertilizer prices have shot up dramatically, and while some fertilizers have doubled in price, grain prices have fallen.
“There’s really no profit right now,” Bushmeyer says. “We can manage for a while, but it’s not sustainable.”
The situation has worsened recently for U.S. farmers, especially as the U.S.-Israel tensions with Iran led to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz. This vital route is crucial for fertilizer production and transport. With the spring planting season underway, many farmers are feeling the squeeze more than ever.
“It’s a rough time for growers,” notes Matt Bennett, CEO of AgMarket and a seventh-generation grain farmer in Illinois. The Middle East plays a huge role in global fertilizer trade, supplying about 35% of urea, a key nitrogen fertilizer.
According to the American Farm Bureau, the U.S. relies on imports for about 25% of its fertilizer needs. Compounding these issues, the Russia-Ukraine conflict has kept fertilizer prices high since 2022. In just a few months, the price of nitrogen has jumped from around $350 to nearly $600 per ton.
Fertilizer is a major cost for farmers. For corn, it can account for up to 20% of production expenses, as reported by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). Many farmers have been struggling with costs surpassing the prices they get for their crops for three years. The USDA even predicted lower profits for 2026 due to these trends.
Independent grain analyst Philip Coffin adds, “With crop economics as bad as they are right now, it doesn’t take much to hurt a farmer’s income.” In 2026, many farmers would have experienced heavy losses if not for federal assistance, including $12 billion in loans to help with costs.
Lance Lillibridge, another farmer in Iowa, recalls the harsh realities of the 1980s farm crisis. He saw how financial strain can push farmers out of business. “Today, if you can’t afford fertilizer, you might have to sell your land,” he warns. This not only affects farmers—it can lead to higher grocery prices for all of us.
If the crisis continues, farmers may have to cut back on fertilizer, which would lower crop yields and affect food supply. “Less fertilizer means less food,” notes sixth-generation farmer Angela Guentzel. She highlights that food security is a national concern. “If we can’t afford to grow our crops, we rely more on imports.”
The USDA is currently surveying farmers about their planting choices. Early results suggest a shift toward soybeans, as they require less fertilizer. While some farmers hope for government support to increase soybean demand, many are still feeling the pressure.
With fertilizer availability uncertain, farmers are now making tough decisions about what to plant and how much fertilizer to use. Coffin suggests that while some fertilizers might already be in the U.S., others are stuck in transit due to ongoing conflicts.
Brittany Martinez, a political strategist, points out that the mounting costs for farmers could have political repercussions, especially if they feel unsupported. “Both parties must focus on practical solutions,” she says.
As Bushmeyer puts it, farming is about resilience. He learned from his father that farmers can only control so much. “We have to be hopeful. Otherwise, we wouldn’t even try to grow crops,” he says, embodying the spirit of those who work the land.
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