USDA Deputy Secretary of Agriculture Stephen A. Vaden joined 170 farmers from 13 states Sept. 11 in Iowa to hear about farmer and fertilizer retailer experiences with the highly consolidated and uncompetitive fertilizer manufacturing industry.
Vaden said the U.S. Department of Agriculture is working on actions related to the fertilizer market, including efforts to address competition and enforcement of antitrust laws.
Addressing farmer profitability is a top priority for the Illinois Corn Growers Association, and input costs such as fertilizer prices remain an important concern.
IL Corn Growers Association Director Phil Fuhr, an Illinois City, Illinois, farmer, attended the event to share the experiences of Illinois corn farmers. Fuhr said members are dealing with tight margins and urged continued attention to the USDA's fertilizer investigation.
Farmers with information about unfair practices or pricing from fertilizer companies can visit savefamilyfarms.us to confidentially participate in the Department of Justice investigation. Firsthand experiences from farmers will be used as the investigation moves forward.
IL Corn thanked the Iowa Corn Growers Association for hosting the Fed Up fertilizer hearing. The event was made possible by the Colorado Corn Council, Georgia Corn Growers Association, Iowa Corn Growers Association, IL Corn, Kansas Corn, Kansas Wheat, Kentucky Corn, Michigan Corn, Minnesota Corn, Missouri Corn, Nebraska Corn Growers Association, North Dakota Corn Growers Association, Ohio Corn & Wheat, South Carolina Corn and Soybean Association, South Dakota Corn Utilization Council, South Dakota Wheat Growers Association, Texas Corn Producers and Wisconsin Corn.
Source: IL Corn, "Farmers Call for Fairness in Fertilizer Market at “Fed Up” Event in Iowa"