They say production costs far outweigh sale prices© Canva
ELDRIDGE, Iowa (KWQC) - Farmers say production costs for corn and soybeans are higher than what they can sell crops for, and prices for farm machinery have also risen.
Hans Schnekloth, a local farmer in Eldridge who has been farming for 17 years, says fertilizer costs have reached the highest price he's ever seen.
"That ratio of fertilizer costs to market price is the worst that it's ever been. I think that the price would probably be better without a trade war or the tariff policy that's happening right now," Schnekloth said.
Cost-cutting measures
Farmers are always looking for ways to cut costs on the farm. Solar panels can save farmers about $3,000, and federal and state tax credits help bring this technology to the farm.
Schnekloth also said that current crop sale prices are similar to previous years, and seed costs have remained steady.
Legislative response
U.S. Senator Joni Ernst and state Senator Elissa Slotkin are pushing to add phosphate - a key fertilizer ingredient - to the U.S. Critical Minerals List. They say this could allow production in the U.S. and potentially lower costs for farmers.
