By MICHELE F. MIHALJEVICH
Indiana Correspondent

FORT WAYNE, Ind. — Farmers may be holding off on fall fertilizer applications because of higher costs, county extension agents across Indiana said.

Though increased prices are a prime reason for the delay in applying fertilizer, weather may also be a factor in some areas of the state, the agents added.

“Most of our farmers did not put down fertilizer because of prices,” said Gonzalee Martin, Allen County’s agriculture and natural resources (ANR) extension educator.

“Costs are 50 to 70 percent more than last year. That increase is a total surprise.”

Martin is recommending farmers not buy anything right now. “Prices will have to come down one way or another,” he said. Farmers are already looking at fertilizer options.

“Believe me, they are looking at alternatives,” he said. “They’re looking into manure and other resources. They’re thinking very seriously about what things they can do. Some are even thinking if prices don’t come down, they’ll just go to beans.”

While farmers in Vigo County are still finishing up their harvest, James Luzar, the county’s ANR extension educator, said he expects to see more soil testing.

“This is not the time for farmers to build up the soil,” Luzar said. “They’re taking a ‘wait and see’ attitude because of the increase in production costs. They’re going to be pretty judicious with putting any fertilizer down. It’s not that they were over-applying before, but they’re going to see what the soil tests indicate and do what is necessary, but they won’t be doing any more than is needed.”

Farmers in Franklin County will also probably utilize more soil testing, said Jeremy Weber, the county’s ANR extension educator.
“A lot of our farmers will do whatever the soil test tells them they need to do,” he said. “But they’re also holding off, waiting for prices to go down. Some are also leaning more toward manure-type fertilizer instead of synthetic chemicals.”

Stacy Herr, ANR extension educator in Wayne County, said she has also seen a reduction in fall fertilizing.

“The consensus seems to be that they’ve held back, that they’re waiting to see what happens with prices,” she said. Alternatives such as poultry litter and livestock manure are being used in the county.

Last spring’s heavy rains may also be playing a factor in some decisions to wait on fertilizing, said Brad Kohlhagen, ANR extension educator in Adams County.

“With all the rain, a lot of the chemicals leeched, and that’s just money wasted,” he said. “So with that in mind, plus the higher prices, a lot of farmers are holding off ordering fertilizer until the spring.”

Use of manure for fertilizing is increasing in the county, he said.
“Manure is an extreme commodity,” he said. “Normally, it’s hard to find land to put manure on. But now, farmers are looking for manure to buy.”