2026 Fall fertilizer outlook: Crop results, current input prices & future options

August is in full swing, which means it's time for the Fall Fertilizer Outlook on the Nutrient Management Podcast. Our panelists recently returned from Minnesota's annual Farm Fest where they heard directly from farmers. How did crops do during the 2026 field season? What are current fertilizer prices, and are there alternative options that farmers might want to consider? What kind of planning tools might be useful for MN growers as we head into fall? Which fertilizer decisions might be postponed until spring? All of this plus more on the Nutrient Management Podcast.

Guests:

• Brad Carlson, Extension educator (Mankato)
• Daniel Kaiser, Extension nutrient management specialist (St. Paul)
• Jeff Vetsch, Lead researcher, Southern Research and Outreach Center (Waseca)

Additional Resources:

• Corn Nitrogen Rate Calculator
• U of M Corn Fertilizer Guidelines
• Why understanding the “price ratio” is key to picking a profitable nitrogen fertilizer rate for corn (2025 blog post)
• Updated corn nitrogen rates: What are we currently seeing for N fertilizer requirements in Minnesota? (2025 blog post)
• Making sense of Minnesota’s corn fertilizer guidelines: Frequently asked questions and answers (2023 blog post)

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If you have questions or comments, please email us at nutmgmt@umn.edu.

Support for the Nutrient Management Podcast is provided by Minnesota's fertilizer tonnage fee through the Agricultural Fertilizer Research & Education Council (AFREC). Learn more at MNsoilfertility.com.