WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Reps. Ashley Hinson (R-Iowa) and Randy Feenstra (R-Iowa), alongside U.S. Reps. Nikki Budzinski (D-Ill.) and Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (D-Wash.), recently reintroduced the Fertilizer Research Act, a bipartisan bill that aims to provide more transparency for U.S. farmers facing high input costs.

“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,” Hinson said. The legislation is endorsed by the American Farm Bureau Federation, the American Soybean Association, the National Corn Growers Association, and the National Farmers Union.

This past September, U.S. Sens. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) and Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.) introduced companion legislation in the U.S. Senate. Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R-Iowa) is an original co-sponsor of the legislation.

Under the bill, the USDA would be required to conduct a study on the fertilizer market, which would include market factors driving those costs, such as competition, long-term market trends, regulatory costs and import impacts, and then publish a report on its findings.

More specifically, within one year of its passage, USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins, in consultation with the agency’s Economic Research Service, would be required to issue a report on the USDA’s website regarding the U.S. fertilizer industry, which would 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; and impacts of anti-dumping and countervailing duties.

According to U.S. Customs and Border Protection, anti-dumping occurs when a foreign producer or exporter sells a product in the United States at a price that is below normal value. Countervailing duties cases are established when a foreign government provides assistance and subsidies, such as tax breaks to manufacturers that export goods to the United States, enabling the manufacturers to sell the goods cheaper than domestic manufacturers.

In addition, under the bill, Rollins would be required to submit 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.

Feenstra said, “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.”

Budzinski said, “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.”

Mark Mueller, Iowa Corn Growers Association president and a fourth-generation Waverly, Iowa, said, “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. We need to assess the fertilizer industry to better understand pricing practices, tariffs, and the exertion of market power by companies within the industry.”

Christopher Glen, The Fertilizer Institute (TFI) vice president of public affairs and communications, told Farm World, “While TFI is supportive of the Fertilizer Research Act’s intent and of improved transparency in the U.S. fertilizer market, we encourage refinement of the bill to provide more lasting solutions that will equip farmers with reliable information during periods of market volatility.”

He said TFI is recommending the USDA reinstate a full-time fertilizer economist, a position that once served as a liaison with Congress and farmers by providing ongoing reports on global and domestic market trends.

“TFI believes this approach, coupled with regular data collection and publication, would give farmers a clearer understanding of supply, demand, and price dynamics beyond the scope of a single study,” he added.