Farmers in the valley are concerned. The owner of British Little Agri Supply said he was fielding calls from customers worried about whether they had enough fertilizer for their crops and how much it would cost. For now, he says the supply is sufficient. That's it. These four tanks contain liquid nitrogen. Chris Burkhart said his company's liquid fertilizer comes on cargo ships that pass through the Port of Baltimore. I've already heard something. They are being wiped out. Burkhardt also uses dry fertilizer. He has reassured some of his 1500 clients. This third-generation business has plenty of fertilizer on hand for now. He also has questions about costs. I think they are worried that prices will go up. we haven't seen it yet. Prices have not changed yet. Businesses don't just rely on the Port of Baltimore. It turns out there is a rail siding in Lancaster. Well, some people come to the port of Philadelphia. One advantage for farmers here is that they raise a lot of livestock. Much of our crop fertility is provided through the use of fertilizers. So we're actually benefiting from that. We rely very little on fertilizers to grow our crops. Pennsylvania Secretary of State Leon Ressler said the inability of cargo ships to enter the Port of Baltimore is a problem for farmers looking to export their crops. The key to getting the ports open to export grain is how long it will take and the reopening of the Port of Baltimore. We crossed that bridge, our truck crossed that bridge. Multiple times a week. The full impact is yet to be seen.The next big demand for fertilizer will come during the planting season around mid-April
Lancaster County agricultural businesses react to Baltimore port closure
Bridge collapse affects farmers
Updated: March 29, 2024 7:44 PM EDT
Lancaster County agricultural companies are fielding calls from farmers worried about fertilizer supplies after the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge cut off shipping at the Port of Baltimore. Chris Burkhart, owner of Little Britain Ag Supply, said he is stocking up on fertilizer. But he is monitoring the situation. He said there could be some disruption to supply. His business also uses the Port of Philadelphia and rail service, but liquid nitrogen fertilizer comes through the Port of Baltimore. He has also been asked about costs. “I think they're worried about the price going up.'' Penn State Extension's Leon Ressler said it helps that the Susquehanna Valley has a lot of livestock farms that can use the manure as fertilizer. But he said: If ports remain closed to cargo ships for an extended period of time, it could affect farmers looking to export grain and other crops.Below: NTSB drone video
Lancaster County agricultural operators are fielding calls from farmers concerned about fertilizer supplies after the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge disrupted shipping at the Port of Baltimore.
Chris Burkhart of Little Britain Ag Supply said they have stockpiled fertilizer but are monitoring the situation. He said there could be some disruption to supply.
His business also uses the Port of Philadelphia and rail service, but liquid nitrogen fertilizer is supplied through the Port of Baltimore.
We have also received questions about cost.
“I think they're worried that prices are going to go up. We haven't seen that yet. Prices haven't changed yet,” he said.
Leon Ressler of Penn State Extension said it helps that the Susquehanna Valley has many livestock farms that can use manure as fertilizer.
But he said if the port remained closed to cargo ships for an extended period of time, it could affect farmers looking to export grain and other crops.
Below: NTSB drone video
