Farmers Plant Corn Amid Rains and Rising Fertilizer Prices
Arkansas farmers have reached 98% completion on corn planting for 2025, according to USDA data released May 26. The season was marked by consistent spring rainfall, making planting efforts difficult across the state.
By the end of March, 265,000 acres were planted. However, flooding and storms in early April led to the replanting of about 53,000 acres. For many, time and weather didn't allow for full replanting.
“There’s a number of farmers who thought they were going to replant corn, who, now that we’re at the end of May, just never really got the chance and are sticking with their original suboptimal stand,” said Jason Kelley from the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture.
Late May saw only 2.3 days suitable for fieldwork. Moisture levels in both topsoil and subsoil remained high, according to USDA reports.
For some farmers, missed replanting windows meant abandoning additional corn planting due to reduced yield expectations after May 1.
Kelley noted that declining profitability also played a role in replanting decisions. Rising input costs, especially nitrogen fertilizers, impacted farmers' ability to recover. May saw a 13% price hike in urea to $652 per ton, while UAN formulations also increased.
Farmers favoured dry fertilizers due to limited time between rain events. “The liquid application rigs take time, and it takes manpower to run the tractor,” Kelley said. “Most people go with urea. It’s simpler to put out, and you can cover a lot more acreage in a shorter period.”
Growers faced a tough planting season, balancing weather, costs, and time. For resources and updates, visit www.uaex.uada.edu or follow @AR_Extension on social media.