Less Fertilizer, Better Outcomes

The document highlights that US farmers apply 30 to 50 percent more synthetic nitrogen fertilizer than crops can absorb, leading to significant economic waste and greenhouse gas emissions. It advocates for the next food and farm bill to increase funding for USDA programs like EQIP and CSP to support soil health and climate resilience, particularly for socially disadvantaged farmers.

• In 2023, US farmers applied approximately 11.62 million metric tons (MMT) of nitrogen fertilizer, with an estimated 3.5 to 5.8 MMT being excess that crops could not absorb. This overapplication cost farmers approximately $35.8 billion in 2023.
• Excess nitrogen fertilizer contributes to climate change by transforming into heat-trapping gases, specifically nitrous oxide (N2O) and carbon dioxide (CO2). In 2023, this overapplication resulted in an estimated 36 to 60 MMT of heat-trapping gas emissions, which is equivalent to the annual emissions of up to 14 million gasoline-powered cars.
• USDA voluntary conservation programs, including the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) and the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP), provide technical and financial aid for practices like cover crops and managed grazing to improve soil health. However, these programs are underfunded relative to demand, and the requirement for upfront investments creates barriers for small- to medium-sized farms and farmers of color.

APA

Union of Concerned Scientists (2026). Less Fertilizer, Better Outcomes. https://www.ucs.org/sites/default/files/2026-02/Less-Fertilizer-Better-Outcomes-summary.pdf

Chicago

Union of Concerned Scientists. Less Fertilizer, Better Outcomes. 2026. https://www.ucs.org/sites/default/files/2026-02/Less-Fertilizer-Better-Outcomes-summary.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=Union of Concerned Scientists |title=Less Fertilizer, Better Outcomes |date=February 2026 |url=https://www.ucs.org/sites/default/files/2026-02/Less-Fertilizer-Better-Outcomes-summary.pdf |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{unionofconcernedscientists2026less, author = {{Union of Concerned Scientists}}, title = {{Less Fertilizer, Better Outcomes}}, institution = {Union of Concerned Scientists}, year = {2026}, month = feb, url = {https://www.ucs.org/sites/default/files/2026-02/Less-Fertilizer-Better-Outcomes-summary.pdf}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }