Sulfur
Blaming monopolies for high fertilizer costs misses the real culprit: complex global supply chains. Fighting costs requires open dialogue, not endless lawsuits.
Sulfur prices have surged more than fivefold, threatening phosphate fertilizer production. With global supply tightening, farmers could face higher prices, or even fertilizer shortages, heading into the months ahead.
Weather extremes are creating challenges, but growers can still make agronomic decisions between R4 and R6 to help protect yield potential.
Illinois Soybean Association on-farm research found that sulfur can boost yields under certain soil and management conditions—but it’s far from a blanket recommendation.
From sulfur and nitrogen deficiencies to silk-clipping beetles, Ken Ferrie breaks down what farmers need to address now in ponded, replanted and unevenly developing fields.
Reopening of the global fertilizer supply pinch point gives optimism but many questions remain.
As the crop enters rapid growth stages, Agronomist Missy Bauer tells farmers to confirm nitrogen and sulfur availability or risk leaving bushels in the field.
Purdue’s Dan Quinn explains how using strategies like moisture-seeking planting and the critical N:S ratio are keys to higher yields.