As of early November, futures prices are trading lower, perhaps signaling farmers to postpone diesel purchases for next season. Supplies of NH3 will be tight as some older plants are still not operating at capacity. Transportation problems reduce the chance of much imported NH3 being used in the Midwest. With many farmers likely to order fertilizer before January 10, possible fuel price changes may not affect their costs much. Urea prices have not increased as much as NH3 or solutions.
Some plants are still closed.
Potash prices are expected to be unchanged from last year. For the first time in three years farmers may replace as much machinery value as they use up. Chemicals are expected to be priced unchanged in spite of higher fuel prices. The higher corn prices will be for newly released varieties promising higher yields. Higher fuel prices affect corn production costs more than soybeans.