Budzinski Introduces Bipartisan Legislation to Address Farmers’ Input Costs

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski (IL-13) introduced the bipartisan Fertilizer Research Act alongside Congresswoman Ashley Hinson (IA-02), Congresswoman Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (WA-03), and Congressman Randy Feenstra (IA-04). By requiring the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to conduct a study of the market factors driving fertilizer costs, the bill would provide greater certainty and transparency for farmers navigating the high prices of these important inputs. This legislation is especially important as farmers struggle to make ends meet amid President Trump’s trade war and the loss of critical markets overseas. 

Senators Chuck Grassley (R-IA), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), and Joni Ernst (R-IA) introduced companion legislation in the U.S. Senate, and Congresswoman Mariannette Miller-Meeks (IA-01) is an original cosponsor of the legislation.  

“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,” said Congresswoman Budzinski. “I’m proud to introduce this common-sense, bipartisan legislation to give our farmers more transparency and ensure that farm inputs are priced fairly.”

“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,” said Congresswoman Hinson.

“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 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,” said Congressman Feenstra.

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 legislation is endorsed by the National Corn Growers Association, the American Soybean Association, National Farmers Union, and American Farm Bureau Federation. 

The full text of the legislation can be found here.

Exclusive reporting on the legislation from Brownfield Ag News here.

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