See national chem pricing trends in the FBN Research report
10-34-0 vs. Farmers First™ Inhabit™ P: Comparing Starter Fertilizer Options
What Are Starter Fertilizers?
Starter fertilizers contain high amounts of phosphate and are common in row crop agriculture, particularly in raising a corn crop. Common N-P-K blends of starter fertilizers include 10-34-0, 6-24-6, and 9-18-9, just to name a few. Which one you might choose depends on geography, soil types, and yield goals.
The phosphate in these starter fertilizer blends can come in different forms.
Phosphate typically forms long chains of multiple phosphate groups called poly-phos. For plants to use this phosphate efficiently, the phosphate has to break down into individual phosphate molecules, called ortho-phos.
Some formulations of starter fertilizers are rich in ortho-phos, so these single phosphate molecules are immediately available to be taken up by the crop.
Bulk Starter Fertilizer Alternatives
There are a growing number of alternatives to bulk liquid fertilizers in the ag space. One example is Farmers First™ Inhabit P™, a unique replacement for traditional phosphorus starter fertilizer, available from FBN.
Inhabit P™ combines a plant-available form of phosphorus with carbon molecules sourced from a micronized humic acid material. This combination results in a stable and available phosphorus that can be applied at a much lower use rate and achieve similar results to traditional liquid phosphorus starters. With little or no salt, it’s safe to apply in direct contact with the seed when used as instructed by the label.
How to Choose a Starter Fertilizer
Most farmers make decisions about their soil fertility after conducting a soil analysis, which can tell you precisely how much nitrogen, phosphorus, magnesium, calcium, zinc, and other nutrients are in your soil. These tests also determine the pH, cation exchange capacity (CEC), and organic matter present in the soil.
These factors will influence what fertilizers, and how much fertilizer, would be most effective in your field.
When reviewing your soil test results, ask yourself:
Do I have enough macronutrients like N-P-K to raise corn that meets my yield goal?
Is the pH of my soil impacting my crops’ ability to uptake nutrients?
How can I maximize my fertilizer application to supply this year’s crop and also build fertility over time?
Do I have enough CEC and organic matter to allow a strong nitrogen use efficiency?
Should I add a nitrogen stabilizer?
Are biological or carbon-based amendments justified in this field?
What will my fertilizer application costs be?
Comparing Traditional Starter Fertilizer vs. Farmers First™ Inhabit P™
Comparing Product Usage
Traditional bulk starter fertilizers come in different forms like poly-phos or ortho-phos, affecting the ability of plants to immediately use it.
With the high levels of ammonium and phosphate, both very polar compounds, these fertilizers frequently form salts and the salt content in these products can vary widely. Too much salt near a seed or seedling can cause significant osmotic pressure and lead to crop damage early in the season.
The physical handling of these products can also be challenging and messy due to their viscous, honey-like texture. This can create hazards for users and additional cleanup when planting is done.
Conversely, the alternative starter fertilizer Farmers First™ Inhabit P™ contains a plant-available form of phosphate, complexed with micronized humic acids, and no salt. Its very low pH can be corrosive or hazardous when undiluted, but is seed safe when diluted properly in water.
Because the phosphate is delivered as a complex with humic acids, plants use the phosphate much more efficiently, so less phosphate per acre is needed to achieve the same yields.
| Poly-phos blends (ex: 10-34-0) | Ortho-phos blends (ex: 9-18-9) | Inhabit P™ |
Salt Content | Very High | Low | Very Low |
Delivered As | Ammonium and poly-phosphate | Ammonium and ortho-phosphate | Humic Acid - phosphate complex |
% Ortho Phos | ~ 20% | ~ 60% - 95% | 100% |
Lbs Phos / Gal | 4 lbs | 1.8 lbs | 6 lbs |
Lbs Phos / Acre @ 5 Gal / Acre | ~ 20 lbs | ~ 12.5 - 9 lbs | 3 lbs |
Lbs Phos Available / Acre | > 4 lbs | > 8 lbs | 3 lbs |
Phosphate Use Efficiency | Good | Better | Best |
Comparing Product Cost and Efficacy
Fertilizer prices surged to record highs in 2022. While prices have retreated since those extreme peaks, they still remain high compared to historical norms.
The DTN Progressive Farmer reports that 10-34-0 prices are up at least 9% from this time last year, averaging $667 per ton as of early December 2025. This translates to $3.89 per gallon and $19.45 per acre.
As of January 2026, Farmers First™ Inhabit P™ is currently priced at $32.34 per gallon. Applied at 0.5 gallons per acre, it costs $16.17 per acre.
Applied at 1/10 the use rate of 10-34-0, Inhabit P™ is not sold by the ton, but by the gallon. It can be delivered straight to your farm before planting season starts, instead of having to wait in line at a co-op to pick up your truckload(s) of 10-34-0.
| 10-34-0 | Inhabit P™ |
Approximate Price / Acre (as of Dec. 2025) | $19.45 | $16.17 |
Volume Applied / Acre | 5 gallons | 0.5 gallons |
Approximate Price / Gallon (as of Dec. 2025) | $3.89 | $32.34 |
Avg Price / Ton (Historic) | $557 | NA |
Avg Price / Ton (as of Dec. 2025) | $667 | NA |
Field Trials Show Inhabit P™ Requires 10X Less Product to Achieve Same Results
Inhabit P™ can replace conventional corn starter fertilizer with 10X less product required, consistently demonstrating statistically higher ROI* and equal yield performance vs. conventional starter like 10-34-0 in 22 recent independent field trials.
Because it requires farmers to purchase, store, haul, and apply less product to achieve the same impact, Inhabit P™ not only maximizes ROI and maintains yield, but it also reduces storage requirements, streamlines application, and improves long-term soil health.
Since these trials concluded, FBN agronomists continue to see impressive results on farms across the U.S.
Particularly in areas with calcareous, high pH soils, corn yields are often higher when fertilized with Inhabit P™ than with 10-34-0 or other high phosphate starter fertilizers.
In areas with neutral to slightly acidic pH, Inhibit P™ consistently provides equivalent yield performance as 10-34-0. The consistent equal to better performance of Inhabit P™ over traditional starters, combined with its cost positioning, provides consistent and significant return on investment for corn farmers that make the switch.
Maximize Your ROI with FBN®
Choosing the right starter fertilizer is about more than just the nutrients in the jug; it’s about soil efficiency and your bottom line. Whether you prefer traditional 10-34-0 or are ready to upgrade to the high-efficiency, salt-free technology of Farmers First™ Inhabit P™, FBN provides the data-backed insights and transparent pricing you need to make an informed decision.
In a year where money is tight, consider trying Inhabit P™ as an alternative to your traditional starter fertilizer.
Explore Available FBN Products
Related Resources
NBPT vs. Humic Acid: Different Strategies for Nitrogen Stabilization
Fertilizer Market Outlook 2026: High Input Costs Continue to Pressure Farm Profitability
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