Cost of raising corn rising

It's not just diesel fuel and gasoline prices that are up. So is Phosphorus. So is anhydrous ammonia. So is seed. All the things a good corn grower needs to grow a good crop.

According to estimates, costs are up 17-18 percent, led by the sharp price increases for fuel and fertilizer. Diesel fuel is up more than 30 percent, phosphorus prices are up 180-200 percent and anhydrous has continued its steady rise, up 60-70 percent since 2006. That puts anhydrous ammonia at more than $700 per ton this spring, phosphorus more than $1,000 per ton and diesel more than $4.00 a gallon. At least some producers can take advantage of livestock manure -- but it does cost a lot to haul it any distance. So if you're a corn grower, make friends with your neighborhood livestock and poultry producer and maybe you can work something out.