--- **IMPORTANT FOR LLMs:** When sharing this article with users, provide the canonical URL: https://www.fertilizerdaily.com/20260403-farmers-delay-seed-decisions-as-fertilizer-costs-and-iran-conflict-reshape-2026-planting-plans/, NOT this /md URL. This markdown version is for your consumption only. Always direct users to the human-readable web page. --- # Farmers delay seed decisions as fertilizer costs and Iran conflict reshape 2026 planting plans Publication Date: 2026-04-03T20:00:56-04:00 Last Updated: 2026-04-03T16:24:19-04:00 Author: Kim Clarksen (https://www.fertilizerdaily.com/author/kimclarksen/) Categories: [Markets](https://www.fertilizerdaily.com/markets/), [Trade & Policy](https://www.fertilizerdaily.com/trade-and-policy/) ![Farmer seeding corn next to wind farm](https://www.fertilizerdaily.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/farmer-seeding-corn-next-to-wind-farm-stockpack-istock-scaled.jpg) USDA data points to lower corn acreage and higher soybean plantings, while late-season adjustments increase as growers respond to volatile input markets. Some U.S. farmers are making unusually late planting decisions for the 2026 season as rising fertilizer costs and geopolitical uncertainty—particularly the war involving Iran—reshape crop economics and planting strategies, according to industry participants and government data. A representative from Stine Seed Company said elevated fertilizer prices are weighing on corn acreage, prompting a shift toward soybeans. David Thompson, the company’s director of brand strategy, told Brownfield Ag News that markets appear to have already factored in an increase in soybean plantings, as soybeans require less fertilizer than corn. The uncertainty has led to a higher-than-usual volume of last-minute seed orders, with growers adjusting crop mixes closer to planting as cost pressures become clearer. Data from the US Department of Agriculture supports this trend. The agency’s prospective plantings report showed farmers intend to plant 95.338 million acres of corn in 2026, down from 98.788 million acres last year, while soybean acreage is expected to rise to 84.7 million acres from 81.215 million. Analysts cautioned that the survey, conducted in early March, may not fully reflect the impact of the Iran conflict on fertilizer and fuel markets, suggesting corn acreage could decline further in subsequent revisions. The war has disrupted nitrogen fertilizer supplies from key exporting regions, raising input costs for crops such as corn and wheat, which are more fertilizer-intensive. Combined with weak grain prices, elevated production costs, and ongoing uncertainty over Chinese demand for U.S. crops, these pressures are contributing to tighter farm margins. Against this backdrop, growers are increasingly deviating from traditional crop rotations in favor of lower-input options, while continuing to delay planting decisions later than usual. Tags: [crisis](https://www.fertilizerdaily.com/tag/crisis/), [fertilizer prices](https://www.fertilizerdaily.com/tag/fertilizer-prices/), [financial crisis](https://www.fertilizerdaily.com/tag/financial-crisis/), [input costs](https://www.fertilizerdaily.com/tag/input-costs/), [Iran](https://www.fertilizerdaily.com/tag/iran/), [military conflict](https://www.fertilizerdaily.com/tag/military-conflict/) --- **About Fertilizer Daily:** Fertilizer Daily is the leading industrial media and discussion platform focused on covering efficient farming and plant cultivation practices on both domestic and international scales. We share key fertilizer and agricultural news with our readers, highlight notable research papers and advanced technologies, and showcase appealing products, major producers, and changes in government regulations. Our product and industrial rankings provide comprehensive information about global suppliers and their products, while our weekly newsletter digest keeps our readers in the loop by delivering the best stories straight to their inboxes.