By Blake Jackson
University of Missouri Extension economist Ben Brown and other specialists anticipate that corn prices in 2025 will fall below $4.50 per bushel.
Given this outlook, MU Extension experts are offering strategies to help farmers reduce input costs, particularly as production expenses could exceed the market price of corn.
John Lory, MU Extension’s state nutrient management specialist, advises farmers to explore ways to lower fertilizer use in 2025 without sacrificing yields.
“This is not a blanket recommendation for everyone to cut back on fertilizer,” Lory emphasizes. “But some farmers have an opportunity to significantly reduce fertilizer costs in 2025 without hurting yield.”
Farmers maintaining optimal soil test levels can safely delay applications of lime, phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) for up to two years without risking yield reductions.
“The philosophy behind our lime, P and K recommendations is your application is not increasing yield this year,” Lory explains. “Instead, it is maintaining conditions in the soil to sustain high productivity. A benefit of having optimum soil test levels is that it’s not essential to apply P, K and lime annually to maximize yields.”
Lory notes that these nutrients are designed to prevent deficiencies over multiple years. While lighter green corn may appear early in the season, yields should remain stable for farmers with medium to high soil test levels.
Farmers can also conduct strip trials to assess whether reduced P and K applications impact yield. According to MU Strip Trial Program data, cutting P and K applications to medium- or high-testing soils did not lower yields.
However, Lory urges caution when adjusting nitrogen (N) applications. “It is much easier to lose money by underapplying N than with P and K,” he warns. The corn-to-nitrogen price ratio remains above 7, meaning underapplying N can be costly.
Recent MU nitrogen strip trials found that most farmers reducing N applications experienced financial losses, while only a small percentage overapplied.
Despite this, opportunities exist to enhance nitrogen efficiency. Lory suggests splitting N applications to improve uptake and adjusting side-dress rates based on in-season sensor or model assessments.
For farmers using manure as a nitrogen source, MU Strip Trials indicate that lower manure application rates generally do not reduce yields. Lory advises farmers to reassess their manure’s nitrogen contribution to ensure they maximize its benefits.
Photo Credit: gettyimages-klosfoto
Categories: Missouri, Crops, Corn