DTN Retail Fertilizer Trends

More Mixed Moves for Retail Fertilizer Prices

Russ Quinn
By  Russ Quinn , DTN Staff Reporter
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The average retail price of anhydrous was $417 per ton the last week of November 2017, up about 4% from $401 the last week of October 2017. (DTN chart)

OMAHA (DTN) -- As has been the case for several weeks, average retail prices for most fertilizers were higher, while prices for a couple fertilizers continued to buck the trend and push lower the last week of November 2017 compared to last month, according to fertilizer retailers surveyed by DTN.

Six of the eight major fertilizers were higher compared to the prior month, though none were up by a significant amount. DAP had an average price of $435/ton, MAP $460/ton, urea $340/ton, anhydrous $417/ton, UAN28 $216/ton and UAN32 $271/ton.

The two remaining fertilizers were lower in price compared to a month earlier, but again, neither was down a considerable amount. Potash had an average price of $342/ton while 10-34-0 was at $403/ton.

On a price per pound of nitrogen basis, the average urea price was at $0.37/lb.N, anhydrous $0.25/lb.N, UAN28 $0.39/lb.N and UAN32 $0.42/lb.N.

The topic of when to apply phosphorus (P) was the subject of a Minnesota Crop News report titled "Fall vs. Spring: When to Apply Phosphorus" by Paulo Pagliari, nutrient management specialist for the University of Minnesota Extension.

According to report, research has shown that seasonal timing (fall vs. spring) has little effect on P availability due to its limited mobility in soils.

"Changing management of P fertilizers, such as banding, is the most effective way to deal with tie-up of Ca-bound forms," Pagliari wrote.

P[L1] D[0x0] M[300x250] OOP[F] ADUNIT[] T[]

The ability of banded fertilizer to supply all of a crop's P requirement can depend on the type of band used and the soil test. Banding liquid fertilizer on the seed is common in corn and sugarbeets. Pagliari advises farmers use low rates when banding on the seed to avoid reducing emergence due to high salts or ammonia formation near the seed.

Pagliari wrote that a low rate of P banded with the seed can provide maximum yield for corn at a medium soil test, but is not enough to maximize yield when soil P levels are lower. Research has shown that a low rate of P banded with the seed is better than higher rates of broadcast P in sugarbeets, he wrote.

"The most important decision-making factors for P management are the amount of P applied and the price of fertilizer," he wrote. "Use a soil test to guide the amount of P you apply."

To read the entire University of Minnesota article, visit http://blog-crop-news.extension.umn.edu/….

Four fertilizers are now higher compared to last year. Both MAP and urea are 3% more expensive, UAN32 is 6% more expensive and potash is now 8% more expensive.

The remaining four fertilizers are lower compared to a year prior. Both DAP and UAN28 are 1% less expensive while both anhydrous and 10-34-0 are 10% less expensive.

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 2010 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):

DRY
Date Range DAP MAP POTASH UREA
Nov 28-Dec 2 2016 435 445 318 331
Dec 26-30 2016 431 443 321 336
Jan 23-27 2017 429 443 322 347
Feb 20-24 2017 433 452 332 359
Mar 20-24 2017 438 464 338 356
Apr 17-21 2017 438 466 339 352
May 15-19 2017 437 471 340 350
Jun 12-16 2017 437 470 341 338
Jul 10-14 2017 436 467 340 321
Aug 7-11 2017 434 462 339 311
Sep 4-8 2017 431 458 338 302
Oct 2-6 2017 425 453 348 323
Oct 27-Nov 3 2017 434 455 348 330
Nov 27-Dec 1 2017 435 460 342 340
LIQUID
Date Range 10-34-0 ANHYD UAN28 UAN32
Nov 28-Dec 2 2016 447 465 217 256
Dec 26-30 2016 437 466 217 254
Jan 23-27 2017 436 480 235 268
Feb 20-24 2017 440 490 241 276
Mar 20-24 2017 441 507 248 280
Apr 17-21 2017 437 509 247 280
May 15-19 2017 436 510 248 283
Jun 12-16 2017 435 500 246 278
Jul 10-14 2017 431 451 235 268
Aug 7-11 2017 440 419 224 258
Sep 4-8 2017 418 413 215 248
Oct 2-6 2017 413 399 208 243
Oct 27-Nov 3 2017 405 401 208 262
Nov 27-Dec 1 2017 403 417 216 271

Russ Quinn can be reached at russ.quinn@dtn.com

Follow Russ Quinn on Twitter @RussQuinnDTN

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Russ Quinn