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👉 NEWS UPDATE: Fertilizer markets have a long memory. Since 2022, growers have seen how quickly nitrogen prices can move when global energy markets tighten or shipping routes face disruption. The latest reminder came recently, with some markets seeing $60–$90 per ton swings in a short window.
For most operations, the bigger question isn’t predicting the next price jump. It’s understanding how much of your fertility program depends on global markets you can’t control.
Our latest blog takes a closer look at how shorter supply chains and regional nutrient sources can help reduce that exposure while still delivering the nutrients crops need in the field.
📖 Read the full article on our website
✅ Why It Matters (to You): Fertility programs built entirely around globally traded nitrogen can leave margins exposed when energy or logistics shift. Regional nutrient sources like poultry litter operate within shorter supply chains and aren’t directly tied to global natural gas pricing. Integrating them into a fertility program can help stabilize costs while still supporting strong soil and crop performance.
🚜 Your Move: As you finalize spring fertility plans, take a closer look at your exposure. How much of your nutrient program depends entirely on globally traded nitrogen? Identifying opportunities to incorporate regional nutrients can help reduce volatility while keeping your fields productive.
OTHER STORIES
Farm Bankruptcies Up in Minnesota and Across the Midwest
👉 NEWS UPDATE: New data shows farm bankruptcies rising in Minnesota and across the Midwest as lower commodity prices and elevated input costs continue to pressure farm finances. Analysts say the increase reflects several years of tightening margins and higher operating expenses across row-crop operations.
📖 Read more on agriculture.com
✅ Why It Matters (to You): Financial stress across the region highlights how quickly margins can tighten when input costs remain high and commodity prices soften. Managing total cost of production and protecting working capital are becoming central priorities on many operations.
🚜 Your Move: Revisit your 2026 cost-of-production numbers using current fertilizer pricing and grain projections. Even modest adjustments in major input categories can make a meaningful difference in protecting per-acre margins.
Opportunity Knocks for Oats in Minnesota
👉 NEWS UPDATE: Interest in oats is growing across Minnesota as demand for food-grade oats expands and new regional processing capacity comes online. With additional market opportunities emerging, some growers are evaluating oats as a profitable rotation crop alongside corn and soybeans.
📖 Read more on Morning Ag Clips
✅ Why It Matters (to You): Adding small grains like oats into a rotation can diversify revenue while creating new windows for cover crops, manure, or poultry litter applications. For many systems, that flexibility can improve nutrient efficiency and overall field performance.
🚜 Your Move: If you’re evaluating rotation options, explore how oats could fit into your cropping system. For a deeper look at how to grown and sell oats in MN, get our free downloadable guide.
Midwest Farmers Have Mixed Feelings About Upcoming USDA Payments
👉 NEWS UPDATE: As federal farm aid payments begin reaching producers, many Midwest farmers say the assistance will help offset rising costs. At the same time, growers note that payments don’t fully address ongoing challenges tied to input volatility and tight margins heading into the 2026 growing season.
✅ Why It Matters (to You): Government payments can provide short-term breathing room, but long-term profitability still depends on managing operating costs and building more stable production systems.
🚜 Your Move: Use this planning window to evaluate where adjustments in fertility strategy, rotations, or input sourcing could help improve cost stability before planting begins.
MARCH: Spring is starting to stir across southern Minnesota — but fields are still in the transition zone between winter freeze and early-season thaw.
🌡️ Soil Temps Waking Up: Soil temperatures are gradually climbing as daylight increases, but many fields will still hover below the key 40–50°F threshold through much of March, keeping biological activity and nutrient cycling relatively slow.
🌧️ Moisture Recharge Underway: Forecast patterns suggest a more active storm track early in the month, bringing periods of rain or snow that could help rebuild soil moisture heading toward planting season.
🚜 Field Access Watch: Freeze–thaw cycles can soften surface layers quickly. Expect muddy field edges and uneven access windows, especially in low spots and heavier soils.
🌱 Cover Crop Check: Overwintered rye or triticale should begin greening up later in the month as soil temperatures rise. Early growth helps capture residual nutrients and protect soil structure ahead of spring rains.
🐓 Litter Planning Window: March is the logistics month. With soils still cool, litter applications are largely positioning nutrients for April mineralization rather than immediate availability.
🌾 Early Weed Pressure Planning: Warmer days toward the end of the month can trigger early germination for winter annuals like chickweed and henbit. Now’s the time to plan burndown timing and cover crop termination strategy.
CBOT NUMBERS
CORN
MAR ’26: 4.31 6/8 | MAY ’26: 4.43 6/8
Summary: Corn futures softened slightly this week, with March and May contracts slipping as traders digest large global supplies and steady South American production. Export demand has been mixed, keeping the market mostly rangebound.
Outlook: With futures moving sideways, basis will likely remain the main margin lever. If your local bids are firm ahead of planting, this could be a practical window to lock in portions of production rather than waiting for a weather-driven rally.
SOYBEANS
MAR ’26: 11.54 4/8 | MAY ’26: 11.69 4/8
Summary: Soybeans eased modestly in recent sessions as markets react to strong South American harvest progress and cautious export demand. Futures remain supported by crush demand but have struggled to break higher.
Outlook: With global supply still ample, managing downside risk remains the priority. If basis improves locally, consider scaling in sales rather than holding out for a major rally.
WHEAT
MAR ’26: 5.66 6/8 | MAY ’26: 5.68 2/8
Summary: Wheat futures moved lower this week, pressured by abundant global inventories and limited export momentum. The market continues to struggle finding a catalyst for sustained gains.
Outlook: With global stocks weighing on prices, wheat markets may remain choppy through spring. If storage costs are rising and your basis is acceptable, pricing a portion earlier could reduce downside exposure.
Source: AgWeb Futures (CBOT) — March 4, 2026
EVENTS
East Central Corn & Soybean Conference (UMN Extension)
Mar 13, 2026 | 📍Rock Creek City Center, Pine City, MN
A half-day conference focused on agronomy, pest management, fertility planning, and market outlooks for Minnesota corn and soybean growers. Extension educators and industry speakers will cover current research and practical strategies for improving yield and profitability heading into the 2026 growing season.
North American Farm & Power Show
Mar 19–21, 2026 | 📍Four Seasons Centre, Owatonna, MN
One of the Upper Midwest’s largest spring farm shows, featuring equipment demonstrations, agronomy sessions, and hundreds of exhibitors. Topics typically include precision agriculture, fertilizer management, crop protection, and machinery technology relevant to large-scale corn and soybean operations.
Wisconsin Public Service Farm Show
Mar 24–26, 2026 | 📍Experimental Aircraft Association Grounds, Oshkosh, WI
A major regional farm show drawing growers from Wisconsin, Minnesota, and northern Iowa. The event features hundreds of exhibitors, crop input companies, and equipment manufacturers along with educational sessions on crop management, technology, and farm profitability.
Midwest Poultry Federation Convention
Apr 14–16, 2026 | 📍Minneapolis Convention Center, Minneapolis, MN
One of the largest poultry industry gatherings in North America. While poultry-focused, the event is relevant for row-crop farmers exploring manure and poultry litter nutrient systems, with sessions covering nutrient management, logistics, and regional supply opportunities.
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