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# U.S. farmers weigh fertilizer cuts as soil testing gains traction for 2026 season

Publication Date: 25.03.2026, 10:00

Rising cost pressures push growers toward data-driven nutrient strategies to protect yields and margins.

Nearly 40% of U.S. farmers are considering reducing fertilizer application rates ahead of the 2026 growing season, according to a survey by the National Corn Growers Association, as producers seek to manage input costs in a tighter economic environment. The shift is increasing focus on soil sampling as a tool to guide more precise nutrient management, with agronomic experts emphasizing that effective fertility planning begins with accurate field data rather than product selection.

Data from [SoilView](https://soilview.com) indicates that without soil testing, only about 10% of a field is properly fertilized, while the remaining acreage is split evenly between over- and under-application. Industry specialists say consistent, systematic soil sampling enables growers to identify nutrient variability, improve application timing, and reduce inefficiencies.

![](https://www.fertilizerdaily.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/soilviewinfographic.jpg)

As fertilizer strategies come under greater scrutiny, companies are positioning soil testing services as a foundational step in improving returns, operational efficiency, and long-term soil health heading into the 2026 season.