Hinson, House Colleagues Introduce Bipartisan Fertilizer Research Act

Washington, D.C. - Congresswoman Ashley Hinson (R-IA-02) introduced the bipartisan Fertilizer Research Act alongside Representatives Nikki Budzinski (D-IL-13), Randy Feenstra (R-IA-04), and Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (D-WA-03). This legislation aims to provide greater certainty and transparency for Iowa farmers navigating high input costs and would require the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to conduct a study of the market factors driving those costs, including competition, long-term market trends, and regulatory costs. Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA) introduced companion legislation in the U.S. Senate, and Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R-IA-01) is an original cosponsor of the legislation.  

“America’s farmers are being squeezed by high fertilizer costs and low commodity prices, making it incredibly difficult to afford the inputs needed to maintain strong yields. Family farmers in Iowa tell me they need greater price transparency and stability, and my bipartisan bill delivers just that by increasing visibility into the factors that drive costs and supply. I will continue fighting for our rural communities to ensure they have a fair shot to do what they do best: feed and fuel the world.” – Congresswoman Ashley Hinson

“Illinois growers are struggling to make ends meet because of high input costs, including the cost of fertilizer. Fertilizer is an essential tool for farmers to maximize their crop yields, but they often lack insight into how fertilizer prices are determined – making it harder to balance their books. I’m proud to introduce this common-sense, bipartisan legislation to give our farmers more transparency and ensure that farm inputs are priced fairly.” – Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski

"As I'm traveling across the 4th District, Iowa farmers continue to tell me that the biggest barrier to farm profitability is high input costs. Representing one of the largest agricultural districts in the country, commonsense ways that we can help lower the prices of input costs like fertilizer is critical so that that our farmers can keep feeding and fueling our country and the world. It’s why I’m glad to help introduce legislation that will deliver more transparency into the factors driving up the cost of fertilizer, and ultimately, help reduce financial pressures for farmers. By lowering costs for our producers, we can keep Iowa farmland in the hands of Iowa farmers and help the next generation carry on our proud agricultural traditions." – Congressman Randy Feenstra

This bill is supported by the American Soybean Association, the National Farmers Union, the Iowa Farmers Union, the Iowa Farm Bureau, the Iowa Corn Growers Association, and the Iowa Soybean Association.

“Farmers are getting squeezed on all sides by high input costs, corporate consolidation, and unfair markets. Fertilizer is a major part of that pressure. Studies like this increase transparency, providing a clearer picture of what’s driving price and supply. We thank Representatives Hinson, Budzinski, Feenstra, and Gluesenkamp Perez for introducing this legislation and recognizing that accountability and competition in farm inputs are essential if family farmers and ranchers are going to have a fair shot in the marketplace.” – Rob Larew, President of the National Farmers Union.

“The Iowa Corn Growers Association (ICGA) sincerely appreciates Representative Ashley Hinson and Representative Nikki Budzinski once again honoring our request for a study to review the competition and transparency within the fertilizer industry. Fertilizer prices have continued to rise, putting pressure on Iowa corn farmers who are already facing low corn prices and increased input costs, resulting in slim or even nonexistent profit margins. This request came directly from ICGA, and Representatives Hinson and Budzinski’s continued commitment to corn growers is evident with the reintroduction of the Fertilizer Research Act.” – Mark Mueller, Iowa Corn Growers Association President and farmer from Waverly, Iowa

“Fertilizer remains one of the highest and most unpredictable input costs for Iowa farmers, yet we lack the transparency to fully understand what drives those fluctuations. The Fertilizer Research Act is an important step toward greater accountability in the industry and will provide farmers with the clarity needed to better manage fertilizer cost." – Tom Adam, Iowa Soybean Association President and farmer from Harper, Iowa

Background:
Within one year of the bill’s passage, the Secretary of Agriculture, in consultation with the Economic Research Service, would be required to issue a report on USDA’s website regarding the U.S. fertilizer industry.
Specifically, the report should include:

• A description of impacts on the fertilizer market that influence price;
• Market trends in the past 25 years;
• A description of the imported fertilizer and market impacts;
• Impacts of anti-dumping and countervailing duties;
• An assessment of the regulatory environment governing fertilizer production;
• A study of fertilizer industry concentration;
• A study of emerging fertilizer technologies; and
• A description of whether current public price reporting is sufficient for market transparency.

The full text of the legislation can be found here.
Exclusive reporting on the legislation from Brownfield Ag News here.