DTN Retail Fertilizer Trends
More Mixed Moves for Retail Fertilizer Prices
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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