Opinion: Making the Most Of Fertilizer
May 1, 2008 Never has it been more important in Florida — economically and environmentally — to keep nutrients in the root zone.
Sticker Shock
On the economic front, many folks have asked this year: “What’s going on with fertilizer prices?” Those who don’t follow the markets closely have received sticker shock as prices soared, fueled by worldwide demand.
The Fertilizer Institute (TFI) in Washington, DC, recently published a grower’s guide to what influences fertilizer prices. TFI’s new brochure notes average prices paid by U.S. farmers for the major fertilizer nutrients (N, P, and K) reached the highest level on record in March 2008 — 168% higher than the January, 2000 level, according to the USDA.
In Demand
Increased global demand for fertilizer is a major factor. Overall, world nitrogen demand grew by 14%, phosphate demand grew by 13%, and potash demand grew by 19% from fiscal year 2001 to 2006.
TFI attributes the increase in global demand for fertilizer to a quest for healthier lives and better diets in developing countries like China, India, and Brazil. Other factors include the domestic ethanol boom that drove fertilizer use up in the Midwest; increased transportation costs; the erosion in the value of the U.S. dollar (which increases the cost of imports like nitrogen and potash); and high U.S. natural gas prices that increase fertilizer production costs.
Keep It Clean
As to the environment, the pressures on local governments to comply with provisions of the federal Clean Water Act, such as the implementation of total maximum daily loads, is increasingly putting a focus on fertilizer use — both urban and agricultural in Florida.
Late last year, the Florida Stormwater Association (FSA) explained the challenge its members face: “In general, there are two ways to improve water quality and attain higher standards: Through ‘retrofitting’ or the construction of devices designed to remove pollutants after they have already entered water systems; or, enacting measures to prevent nutrients and other pollutants from entering the systems altogether.” (12/27/07 communication to the Florida Consumer Fertilizer Task Force). Retrofitting across Florida would cost communities around $50 billion, according to FSA Executive Director Kurt Spitzer.
FFAA disagrees with some FSA positions, but we do agree efforts should concentrate on keeping nutrients — from all (my emphasis added) sources, not just fertilizers — from getting into Florida’s waters in the first place.
Now don’t get me wrong. I’m not suggesting consumers or growers should use less fertilizer (I love my industry after all!). What I am recommending is for everyone to make sure what they do use, they use wisely.
It just makes good cents and sense!
• For TFI’s complete price issues paper, go to: www.tfi.org/publications/pricespaper.pdf.
• For five interesting fertilizer facts everyone should know, visit: www.nutrientsforlife.org/consumers/facts/.
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