Sept. 10, 2021
Sharp increases in wheat inputs, falling futures markets complicate planting decisions
By the U of A System Division of Agriculture
Fast Facts:
- July 2022 wheat futures fell below $7 this week
- High fertilizer, seed, fuel prices impacting profitability
(541 words)
LITTLE ROCK — After reaching a $7.48 high in mid-August, the July wheat futures market fell to below $7 this week, and the outlook for the commodity’s profit margin is mixed at best.
Scott Stiles, extension economist for the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture, said increases in input costs, such as fuel, seed and fertilizer, are offsetting much of the increased revenue from higher wheat prices. Variable costs for the 2022 crop are projected to be near $334 per acre—up almost $85 per acre from last year.
“I hope growers were watching closely and locked in prices above $7,” Stiles said. “There was a stretch from the end of July until about Sept. 7 they could do that. Unfortunately, as we get closer to planting, the July 2022 futures prices have dropped about 65 cents from the mid-August peak.”
As of Friday morning, futures prices were trading at $6.83. Stiles said the basis for June/July delivery in 2022 currently ranges from zero to 30 cents under the futures price, depending on where growers will deliver their harvested wheat for sale.
“At this point, some growers may be looking at booking prices in the range of $6.80 to $6.50,” he said.
Stiles said increases in fertilizer prices have had the greatest impact on wheat profitability, with per-ton prices for urea having increased 60 percent over the past year, and potash prices having increased more than 90 percent during the same period.
“Prices for all the major fertilizers increased again last week, as Hurricane Ida impacted some nitrogen fertilizer production and caused logistical challenges such as river navigation,” he said.
Stiles said agriculture experts are anticipating higher seed costs and higher fuel costs, relative to last year. New York Mercantile Exchange diesel futures have nearly doubled over the past year, with nearby futures currently trading at $2.14/gallon, compared to $1.08 a year ago.
“Returns — excluding government payments — will vary for producers, depending on a number of factors,” he said. The price currently used for assumptions in the 2022 wheat budget is $6.80/bushel. Projected returns above variable costs are $142 per acre, assuming a 70 bushel per acre yield.
“Our projected returns in the budget do not include any land rent,” Stiles said. “The $142 return over variable costs is assuming the operator either owns the land or will have to cover land cost from those returns. Typically, producers are paying a 20-25 percent share rent, or even 30 percent in some areas.
“On a 20 percent share, the returns over variable costs drop to $47 per acre,” he said. “On a 25 percent share rent, the returns drop further to $23 per acre. For the growers looking at a $6.50 net price, these returns are even tighter.
“Each grower has to evaluate wheat through his own lens,” he said.
“At the current price for wheat, which is historically high, I wish I could be more optimistic,” Stiles said. “But the sharp increase in key inputs over the past year has really taken a bite out of potential profits.”
An updated PDF and Excel wheat budget for 2022 has been posted to the Cooperative Extension Service (CES) field crop enterprise budgets website and can be found at Arkansas Field Crop Enterprise Budgets.
To learn about extension programs in Arkansas, contact your local Cooperative Extension Service agent or visit www.uaex.uada.edu. Follow us on Twitter and Instagram at @AR_Extension. To learn more about Division of Agriculture research, visit the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station website: https://aaes.uark.edu. Follow on Twitter at @ArkAgResearch. To learn more about the Division of Agriculture, visit https://uada.edu/. Follow us on Twitter at @AgInArk.
About the Division of Agriculture
The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture’s mission is to strengthen agriculture, communities, and families by connecting trusted research to the adoption of best practices. Through the Agricultural Experiment Station and the Cooperative Extension Service, the Division of Agriculture conducts research and extension work within the nation’s historic land grant education system.
The Division of Agriculture is one of 20 entities within the University of Arkansas System. It has offices in all 75 counties in Arkansas and faculty on five system campuses.
The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture offers all its Extension and Research programs to all eligible persons without regard to race, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, religion, age, disability, marital or veteran status, genetic information, or any other legally protected status, and is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer.
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Media contact:
Ryan McGeeney
Communications Services
University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture
Cooperative Extension Service
(501) 671-2120
rmcgeeney@uada.edu