As farmers continue to navigate a period of tight margins and volatile global markets, The Fertilizer Institute (TFI) is urging lawmakers to focus on practical solutions that strengthen U.S. agriculture, expand markets for producers, and ensure farmers have access to fertilizer exactly when and where it is needed.
“America’s farmers are the most productive in the world, and we’re proud to stand with them through the challenging market conditions we are currently experiencing,” said TFI President and CEO Corey Rosenbusch. “Global factors from all sides continue to drive fertilizer costs, including geopolitical instability, export restrictions, supply chain disruptions, and energy markets. The best way Washington can help farmers is by expanding market access for their products, cutting red tape, and strengthening domestic fertilizer supply.”
TFI says it has outlined the following immediate and long-term policy actions to enhance domestic fertilizer production and improve supply chain reliability for U.S. farmers, including:
Immediate Steps:
- Advance a national policy to expand domestic fertilizer production, led by the Secretary of Agriculture and coordinated across federal agencies.
- Appoint a full-time USDA Fertilizer Economist to monitor market dynamics, improve transparency, and provide accurate, timely information to farmers and policymakers.
- Streamline federal permitting and regulatory reviews to accelerate construction and modernization of fertilizer plants, mines, and infrastructure.
- Along with the inclusion of potash, include phosphate on the Final Critical Minerals List to improve supply security and permitting efficiency.
- Encourage energy policies that maintain affordable and reliable natural gas supplies, the key feedstock for nitrogen fertilizers, as well as technologies that reduce production emissions.
- Promote a more open, fair, predictable, and transparent trading environment that empowers the continued growth of a resilient, competitive, and sustainable fertilizer industry for our farmer customers.
Longer-Term Actions:
- Accelerate innovation and emerging fertilizer technologies, such as advanced nutrient formulations and enhanced efficiency fertilizers consistent with the 4R Nutrient Stewardship framework.
- Further encourage grower adoption of 4R Nutrient Stewardship practices (applying the right source, rate, time, and place) to support farmers getting the most out of every fertilizer dollar.
- Identifying productive science-backed streams for recycled production materials from mined sources
“Farmers feed America and we feed their fields,” concluded Rosenbusch. “Input industries, from fertilizer and seed to equipment and crop protection, all rely on strong, stable farm demand. We look forward to working with both policymakers and farmers to ensure our collective kitchen tables are filled with abundant nutritious food.”
Source: The Fertilizer Institute