Corn farmers from across the United States are asking the USDA and the U.S. Attorney General for an update on an investigation into fertilizer pricing and market concentration.
In a letter, 14 farmers, including Brian Lehman from Missouri, say there’s a growing concern across corn producing states about the rising costs of fertilizer heading into the planting season.
“Nitrogen is kind of the big issue right now, but, in general, fertilizer prices have gone up substanitally, with some of the prices up $100 per ton, DAP and MAP up $70 per ton.”
Last fall, the Department of Justice and USDA signed a Memorandum of Understanding to investigate rising input costs. In December, President Trump issued an executive order directing the DOJ and Federal Trade Commission to create task forces to investigate anticompetitive conduct. Recently, there have been reports the DOJ’s Antitrust Division has opened an active investigation into major fertilizer producers.
Lehman, the president of the Missouri Corn Growers Association, says farmers deserve a competitive market, and it’s unclear what progress has been made as the administration evaluates the situation.
“I think we just need transparency, because sometimes we don’t know what’s happening.”
In the letter, the 14 farmers have asked for confirmation of the active investigation at the DOJ and ask that farmer perspectives to be included in stakeholder engagement and findings from Congressional briefings to be shared with ag stakeholders.
