During my annual #99countymeetings Iowa farmers keep telling me how they r struggling w high cost of fertilizer Gr8ful to FTC Chairman Andrew Ferguson announcing an industry wide investigation into the rise of fertilizer costs across USA
They discussed the concentration of the fertilizer manufacturing industry and how it uses market power to set prices. Chairman Ferguson during his remarks announced the FTC is doing a compulsory investigation into the fertilizer industry. The audience gave him a standing ovation.
Today over 100 farmers and farm organization staff gathered to meet with Federal Trade Commission Chairman Ferguson and his staff members. A panel representing Alabama Cotton, Arkansas Rice, Iowa Corn, and a retired cooperative manager spoke.
A room full of farmers rose to their feet for this 👏
Today, @FTC Andrew Ferguson announced a long-awaited investigation into fertilizer pricing practices and market concentration.
Read more here >>> https://t.co/IjJhy9ZWZ9
Trent Kubik, president of South Dakota Corn, did an outstanding job today testifying at a Senate Ag Committee hearing on high fertilizer prices. He explained concentration of the fertilizer industry has resulted in very high fertilizer prices for U.S. farmers for many years.
What I am paying for N fertilizer has increased by 44% since February even though the cost of producing N in the U.S. has not changed significantly due to stable natural gas prices. The primary cost of producing NH3. Bloomberg reported CF Industries' earnings more than doubled per share year over year while Nutrien's gained 4 fold. The Federal government is conducting a long overdue investigation into the concentration of the fertilizer industry. It is even more concentrated than the beef processing industry which is also being investigated.
USDA Turns Up the Heat: Vaden Calls Out Fertilizer Companies in Closed-Door Talks - YouTube
President Trump is the most supportive of farmers and ranchers of any president in my farming career dating to Jimmy Carter. I very much appreciate USDA Secretary Rollins and Deputy Secretary Vaden for standing up for U.S. farmers and leading efforts scrutinizing the fertilizer industry.
USDA calls on farmers to share fertilizer and input cost concerns - Brownfield Ag News
USDA Dep. Sec. Stephen Vaden says USDA wants to hear the input cost concerns of farmers. USDA is working with the Dept of Justice and Federal Trade Commission to determine if the fertilizer industry is guilty of anti-competitive actions. This is the opportunity for farmers and even retail fertilizer operators to share in a confidential manner what they know.
At my 25 #99countymeetings I heard frm farmers abt high input costs impacting their bottom line To relieve some pressure I’m calling on Pres Trump to use his emergency powers to suspend the countervailing duties on phosphate imports
"Years of high fertilizer prices."
That's the outlook from USDA Deputy Sec. Stephen Vaden — pointing to limited competition and tight supply.
The fix? More transparency, more production.
Hat tip to @Tyne_Ag for the convo!
⬇️ https://t.co/0JKai5VSNY
@TexasCorn@thebrycewhite@Tyne_Ag He did an excellent job pointing out the concentration and high fertilizer prices have been an issue for at least 5 years long before Iran.
Please direct funding to more companies competing for the farmer's business. Generating more supply for the existing companies does not resolve the monopoly control of the fertilizer market issue. Pursuing the MOU with DoJ is crucial. Executive order of December 6th to DoJ and FTC is crucial.
While Biden stood idly by as fertilizer prices skyrocketed 40%, and hit 99% at their worst, @POTUS is fixing the supply chain crisis head-on:
➡️ Expanded fertilizer exports from Venezuela
➡️ Suspended the Jones Act for 60 days
➡️ MOU with @TheJusticeDept and @USDA to manage input costs
➡️ Reinstated potash as a critical mineral to the U.S.
And we’re continuing to work with private industry to accelerate investment!
Budget Hearing - Department of Agriculture https://t.co/eZt9scWYCy via @YouTube
Some very good comments from Rep. Hinson IA and Secretary Rollins concerning the lack of competition in the fertilizer industry. Only concern was money mentioned by Sec. Rollins to expand the fertilizer resources in the U.S. Hope she realizes giving money to the monopolies does nothing to expand competition. We need more companies competing not more plants owned by the same monopolies. Look at 24 minutes and 35 minutes for fertilizer comments.
Phosphate duties are driving up fertilizer costs, and farmers are feeling it.
Watch the @agripulse webinar replay to learn how trade duties on Moroccan phosphate have pushed diammonium phosphate (DAP) prices up nearly 29%. https://t.co/yL98DUa1hz
NATIONAL AGRICULTURE DAY: As President Trump welcomes and celebrates farmers and ranchers from across the country, Texas Corn Farmer Dee Vaughan @txvaughan shares how the Trump administration changed the trajectory of rural America, and how farm security is national security.
@MonicaPaigeTV | @TPUSA
Thune Introduces Legislation to Bring Transparency to Fertilizer Prices for Producers - Press Releases - U.S. Senator John Thune
Farmers appreciate Majority Leader for introducing the bipartisan bill to bring much needed transparency to the U.S. fertilizer market.