South Dakota is a major corn, soybean, and winter wheat state with the James River Valley and eastern South Dakota black soils averaging 155–175 bu/acre corn. UAN 32% Liquid Nitrogen is currently priced at $0.31–$0.40/gallon in South Dakota markets as of spring 2026, reflecting Great Plains supply chain conditions.
| Benchmark | Price | vs. 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| NOLA barge (national reference) | $0.28–$0.36/gallon | +15–25% |
| South Dakota co-op / distributor | $0.31–$0.40/gallon | +27–37% |
| South Dakota retail delivered | $0.32–$0.41/gallon | +29–39% |
Avoid spot buying UAN during peak application windows. Pre-book Q3 side-dress needs in July before in-season premiums widen.
South Dakota receives fertilizer via Missouri River barge terminals at Sioux City and by rail; western South Dakota pays premiums of 12–18% over NOLA.
| Driver | Impact |
|---|---|
| Natural gas feedstock | UAN is produced from ammonia and urea; natural gas is 70–80% of production cost. |
| Urea and ammonia spot prices | UAN pricing tracks ammonia and urea proportionally — watch both benchmarks. |
| Transportation and logistics | UAN is liquid; tank truck and rail add cost versus dry products, especially in remote regions. |
| In-season demand spikes | Side-dress demand creates short-term price spikes during May–June planting windows. |
South Dakota farmers typically source UAN 32% Liquid Nitrogen through regional co-operatives, independent retailers, and direct distributor contracts. The most effective strategy in Great Plains markets is to compare co-op pre-pay pricing versus spot retail, as pre-pay discounts of 5–12% are standard for early fall bookings.
As of spring 2026, UAN 32% Liquid Nitrogen in South Dakota is priced at approximately $0.31–$0.40/gallon. Prices vary by county, co-op, and contract type. GrainBrief tracks weekly USDA AMS price reports and sends price alerts when signals change.
South Dakota sits in the Great Plains supply zone. South Dakota receives fertilizer via Missouri River barge terminals at Sioux City and by rail. Premiums over NOLA benchmarks typically run 12–20% depending on season and logistics conditions.
Historically, fall pre-buy programs (August–October) offer the best pricing for the following spring application season. In-season spot prices during March–June carry a 5–15% logistics premium. GrainBrief's weekly signal tells you exactly when to act.
GrainBrief tracks USDA AMS, FRED, and EIA data weekly and sends you a buy, hold, or negotiate signal. Stop guessing. Start buying on data.
Start Free Trial →