Higher fertilizer prices will raise corn production costs by around $15 per acre next year, according to Gary Schnitkey, a University of Illinois ag economist. Soybean production costs are expected rise by about $5 per acre due to the increased fertilizer costs.

“August and September fertilizer prices confirm expectations of rising fertilizer costs for 2019,” he said. “So far, anhydrous ammonia prices are close to $80 per ton ...