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Bipartisan bill targets fertilizer price transparency amid record-high costs

Bipartisan legislation intended to shed light on factors behind high fertilizer prices has been reintroduced in the U.S. Senate.

Iowa Republican Chuck Grassley says the Fertilizer Research Act addresses farmer concerns about the high cost of inputs.

“The ratio of corn prices to phosphate fertilizer prices is the worst that its ever been. Years of market consolidation and lack of access to fertilizer on the global market due to tariffs have left farmers with few options when it comes to spreading fertilizer.”

Grassley and fellow Iowa Republican Joni Ernst reintroduced the bill along with Wisconsin Democrat Tammy Baldwin.

Grassley says it directs USDA to issue recurring reports on fertilizer markets.

“That report would look at all factors including tariffs and market concentration to see why farmers are paying such high prices. It would also examine whether the current public price reporting is sufficient for market transparency.”

He tells Brownfield attaching the Fertilizer Research Act to a skinny farm bill is likely the best way to get it passed.

Grassley made these comments during his weekly call with ag reporters Wednesday.