Senators Baldwin, Grassley, Ernst Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Increase Transparency and Cut Cost of Fertilizer

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Chuck Grassley (R-IA), and Joni Ernst (R-IA) are introducing bipartisan legislation to help lower the cost of fertilizer by shining a light on market factors driving the high cost of fertilizer. The Fertilizer Research Act would require the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to conduct a study on competition and trends in the fertilizer market and their subsequent impacts on price.

“Wisconsin’s farmers are the backbone of our rural communities and right now, they are facing all sorts of headwinds that are eating into their bottom lines and threatening their ability to make ends meet,” said Senator Baldwin. “Fertilizer costs are often a huge expense for farmers and that’s why I am proud to work with my Republican colleagues to increase transparency and lower their input costs so they can continue to feed America.”

“Fertilizer is one of the ag industry’s biggest inputs, and family farmers across the nation are severely hurting right now due to its high cost. Yet, farmers have a limited window into market fluctuations and how fertilizer prices are determined. That needs to change. Our bipartisan bill will give farmers in Iowa and across the Heartland more transparency and certainty so they can better navigate production costs,” said Senator Grassley.

“Fertilizer is an essential tool our farmers rely on to maintain healthy soil and improve crop yields,” said Senator Ernst. “I’m working hard to drive down fertilizer costs and make life more affordable for both farmers and consumers. By gaining a better understanding of the fertilizer industry, this research will provide the foundational knowledge needed to give farmers much needed clarity and certainty as harvest approaches.”

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;
• 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.

This legislation is also co-sponsored by Senator Raphael Warnock (D-GA).

The Fertilizer Research Act is endorsed by the Wisconsin Corn Growers Association, National Corn Growers Association, American Soybean Association, American Farm Bureau Federation, National Farmers Union, and Farm Action Fund.

“Corn growers are facing prices for fertilizers and other inputs that are unsustainable,” said National Corn Growers Association President and Illinois farmer Kenneth Hartman Jr. “In fact, USDA projects that fertilizer alone will account for 36% of a corn grower’s operating cost for 2025. So, we are deeply appreciative of Sens. Grassley and Baldwin for prioritizing this issue and introducing this legislation.”

“Farmers are getting squeezed on all sides by high input costs, corporate consolidation, and unfair markets. Fertilizer is a major part of that pressure. Studies like this increase transparency, providing a clearer picture of what’s driving price and supply. We thank Senators Grassley and Baldwin for introducing this legislation and recognizing that accountability and competition in farm inputs are essential if family farmers and ranchers are going to have a fair shot in the marketplace,” said Rob Larew, President of the National Farmers Union.

Full text of the legislation is available here.

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.