House Republican Dusty Johnson and Democrat Angie Craig unveiled a bill Thursday to create a mandatory fertilizer price reporting system amid widespread farmer complaints about lack of transparency when it comes to price swings for crop nutrients.
The Fertilizer Transparency Act is a companion bill to legislation introduced last week by Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., and backed by Sens. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., and Tammy Baldwin, D-Wis.
The measures follow higher fertilizer prices due to President Donald Trump’s trade wars. The problem has been exacerbated by the U.S. and Israel's war with Iran that’s roiling global supply chains. Farmers for years have decried what they say is extreme volatility in the fertilizer industry.
“President Trump’s tariffs and war with Iran have increased fertilizer costs even as farmers lose markets and commodity prices remain low, putting farmers in an impossible position,” said Craig, top Democrat on the House Ag Committee, who's also running for Senate in her state Minnesota. “We need better insight into fertilizer markets to ensure farmers are getting a fair price for the tools they need to grow our food.”
Johnson also is a member of the Ag Committee and is running for governor of South Dakota.
The Fertilizer Institute, a lobby group representing fertilizer producers, didn't immediately respond to a request for comment.
Minnesota Corn Growers Association President Wesley Beck lauded the bill and Craig's support.
“Pricing transparency is a critical first step toward ensuring fair and competitive prices in the increasing consolidated fertilizer market," he said.
For more news, go to Agri-Pulse.com.
.webp?t=1762183428)
