Top University Experts Weigh In on Nitrogen Decisions as Fertilizer Volatility Shapes U.S. Farmers’ Planting Season

MINNEAPOLIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--As U.S. farmers finalize crop plans for the 2026 growing season, many are navigating one of the most complex operating decision environments in recent years. Rising fertilizer prices, uncertainty around global supply, pressure on farm margins and shifting crop economics are forcing growers to carefully evaluate fertilizer purchases, crop rotations and nitrogen strategies as planting approaches.

To help provide perspective during this critical window, several leading university researchers are sharing insights on how farmers can think about nitrogen management in the current environment.

“Farmers know how important their nitrogen management decisions are, because those decisions have a direct impact on yield potential,” said Dr. Fred Below, Professor of Crop Physiology at the University of Illinois. “Corn has a high nitrogen demand, especially during the rapid growth stages, and if the plant does not have access to nitrogen at that time, you lose yield potential that you cannot fully recover later in the season.”

Across many regions, growers are balancing dramatic fertilizer cost increases and tight input availability as they finalize crop rotation decisions and nutrient programs for the season ahead. Researchers say these decisions are closely connected, as nitrogen management plays one of the most important roles in both yield potential and overall farm economics.

Weather and soil moisture conditions are also adding another layer of complexity. Researchers note that rainfall variability and changing moisture patterns can significantly influence how nitrogen behaves in the soil and how effectively crops are able to use it throughout the growing season. Both excess moisture and dry conditions can affect nitrogen availability, movement and potential loss in the soil, making nitrogen management an important part of managing production risk.

Other experts say growers should be thinking not just about how much nitrogen to apply, but how to get more from every unit applied and how to structure programs to reduce both economic and agronomic risk.

Dr. Ron Heiniger, Emeritus Professor of Cropping Systems at North Carolina State University, said the current environment reinforces the need to rethink traditional nitrogen programs.

“Farmers must focus on how to maintain or increase yield while lowering input costs. Yield is still the key to profitability,” Heiniger said. “The goal now is to get more from the nitrogen that is applied and to reduce the number of passes across the field.”

He added that improving nitrogen use efficiency will require a combination of better placement, stronger early plant growth and greater use of biological approaches.

“Using biology to enhance nutrient uptake and fixation is becoming an important part of the system,” Heiniger said. “Technologies, like Pivot Bio, provide nitrogen directly to the plant and keep it available during key growth stages can help growers improve efficiency while reducing the need for additional applications.”

At the same time, other researchers also note that farmers today have access to a broader range of tools to support nitrogen programs. In an environment marked by fertilizer volatility and weather uncertainty, many growers are looking at ways to diversify nitrogen sources, protect crop performance and fill potential gaps in their fertilizer programs with emerging technologies designed to work alongside traditional fertilizer systems.

“We have traditionally relied on fertilizer and soil nitrogen, but there is growing interest in additional nitrogen sources that can complement those systems,” Below said. “Having a consistent source of nitrogen available right at the root, which Pivot Bio offers, can help ensure the plant has access to sufficient nitrogen during critical growth periods and can help fill gaps when fertilizer programs are limited or when weather conditions are challenging.”

Soil scientists say innovations that improve nitrogen use efficiency or introduce additional nitrogen sources could play an important role in helping farmers manage both economic and agronomic risk.

“Improving how we cycle and utilize nitrogen in cropping systems will be essential moving forward,” said Dr. Chuck Rice, Distinguished Professor of Soil Microbiology at Kansas State University. “That includes integrating biological approaches alongside traditional practices to improve efficiency and support long-term productivity. The 4Rs are still appropriate but the Right Form and the Right Time need to include biological approaches.”

Earlier this month, Pivot Bio announced it is increasing production and lowering prices on its nitrogen solutions to help ensure farmers have reliable access to a dependable nitrogen source during the spring planting window.

“Farmers need solutions that are both reliable and cost-effective, no more evident than in this kind of environment,” said Chris Abbott, CEO of Pivot Bio. “Our focus is on making sure growers have access to the highest performing nitrogen sources that can fit into their programs, directly reduce their nitrogen cost, help manage risk and support strong performance in the field.”

As the planting season begins, researchers say nitrogen management will remain one of the most important decisions farmers make as they balance crop productivity, input costs and overall farm profitability.

About Pivot Bio

Pivot Bio, one of the world's leading agtech companies, delivers patented crop nutrition technologies that harness the power of nature to help farmers reliably and productively grow the food the world needs in the face of increasing volatility. Currently available in North America and soon in Brazil, the company's products represent a breakthrough innovation and one of the agriculture industry's most promising solutions. Pivot Bio has been recognized three times by TIME magazine on its annual list of best inventions, by Fast Company on its World Changing Ideas and World's 50 Most Innovative Companies lists, by CNBC on its Disruptor 50 list of private companies, by Fortune on its Impact 20 list, and by MIT Tech Review as one of 15 climate tech companies to watch. For more information, visit PivotBio.com.