Most southern Alberta farmers have either finished or are about to wrap up seeding. But ballooning costs could make it harder than ever to break even this summer. It’s quickly turned into one of the most expensive seeding seasons producers have faced. For some, input costs are up anywhere from 20 to 30 per cent. “(It) makes things really tough on the farm here, to be able to figure out how to pay all the bills when fertilizer is so expensive and fuel is so expensive. Parts, repairs, equipment, everything—everything’s just up across the board,” said Magrath farmer Sean Stanford. Fertilizers represent the biggest jump in cost. The ongoing conflict in Iran is to blame for the significant jump. Much of the world’s fertilizers are either produced in Iran or pass through the Strait of Hormuz. Cost per tonne is up for everyone this summer. “This year, we were anywhere from in the high $600s into the low $800s,” said Stephen Vandervalk, who farms near Fort Macleod. Much of the fertilizers being used during this seeding season were bought before the most extreme price increases. But anyone who needs to reapply or needs to resupply this summer could be in for a big bill. “It’s going to depend on a lot of things globally—what’s going to happen on the farm here locally with prices of everything,” said Stanford. If prices remain high heading into the next seeding season, it could be major trouble for southern Alberta’s farmers. That would make it nearly impossible for most in the agriculture sector to turn a profit. “Next year, our cost, if something doesn’t change, will literally be double. And there’s no room to double fertilizer prices in our margins. People will have to make hard choices (as to) whether they put half the fertilizer on,” said Vandervalk.
