COLDWATER, MI (WTVB) – Farmers in Branch County are grappling with a sharp rise in operating costs as fertilizer prices surge just weeks before the 2026 spring planting season.
Driven by the regional conflict in the Middle East and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical hub for nearly half of the world’s urea exports, local nitrogen costs have jumped by more than 35% to 47%. While Michigan Farm Bureau reports that about 67% of Midwestern producers managed to pre-book their supplies before the latest spike, those in Branch County who did not lock in prices early are now facing urea quotes that have climbed from $350 to as high as $600 per ton.
The financial strain is forcing many area growers to re-evaluate their 2026 crop plans, with some considering a shift from nitrogen-intensive corn to soybeans to mitigate the impact.
Experts from Michigan State University Extension note that even for those who pre-purchased, surging fuel costs are driving up delivery fees, adding another layer of expense to the county’s agricultural bottom line.
With USDA forecasts already projecting a national decline in corn acreage, local agricultural advocates warn that these sustained input hikes could lead to tighter margins for Branch County family farms and eventual price increases at the grocery store.
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