‘It’s not sustainable’: US farmers reeling as Iran war pushes fertilizer costs up

US farmers are experiencing significant financial strain due to increased fertilizer costs, a direct consequence of the ongoing Iran war. The conflict has led to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical route for fertilizer production and transportation. This closure is squeezing farmers like Rodney Bushmeyer of Bushmeyer Farms in Illinois, whose family has been farming for over a century. The rising input costs are making agricultural operations unsustainable for many, threatening the livelihoods of long-standing farming families. The situation suggests potential impacts on food production and prices if fertilizer costs remain elevated.