How will the war with Iran impact Midwest farming?

The conflict in Iran has increased fuel prices and limited the export of nitrogen-based fertilizers, potentially disrupting the global supply chain. Many Midwestern farmers have pre-booked their fertilizer, with 80% of corn growers surveyed by the National Corn Growers Association stating their 2026 corn acreage plans were unaffected. A Purdue University study found that most corn and soybean producers in the Midwest had already bought fertilizers for the current crop season before the conflict began. The American Farm Bureau Federation reported that 67% of Midwestern commodity farmers pre-booked fertilizers, a higher rate than other regions. While the Midwestern farm economy is not immune to the effects of the conflict, pre-booking fertilizers has helped mitigate the immediate impact. The timing of fertilizer application, typically before or at planting time, will be crucial in determining the overall impact on the farm economy.