Fertilizer prices have increased drastically over the past year. This increase has caused several producers to question whether they should cut fertilizer rates on their hay fields. One Crittenden County hay producer called ANR Agent Dee Heimgartner to ask her advice on what type of nitrogen fertilizer should be used. The producer knew that his hay supply would be short for the number of cows he has if he didn't do at least a little fertilizer so he made the decision to add 50 pounds of nitrogen per acre to ensure good growth on his grass hay. He then came to the question of which type of fertilizer would be most economical between urea and ammonium nitrate. Utilizing prices that the producer had obtained from local farm stores, the agent sat down and calculated the price per pound of nitrogen for each fertilizer using the calculators on the UK Regulatory Services page. The calculators determined it was $0.12 per pound of nitrogen cheaper to use the urea fertilizer. While that may not sound like much savings at 50 pounds of nitrogen per acre that is a savings of $6.00 per acre for the producer. The urea was also at a farm store that is 10 miles closer to his home so he is saving fuel by not driving an extra 20 miles round trip to pick up and drop off the fertilizer spreader from the farm store.