More than 170 farmers from 13 states gathered in Iowa for a “Fed Up” fertilizer hearing, pressing federal officials over rising fertilizer costs and concerns about market competition.
The hearing focused on major fertilizer companies like Mosaic, Nutrien, CF Industries, and Koch.
Organizers say fertilizer prices have doubled, and at times tripled, since 2020, while fertilizer companies have generated more than $20 billion in profits for shareholders over the past five years.
USDA Deputy Secretary Stephen Vaden told farmers the department is committed to addressing concerns about fertilizer pricing and enforcing antitrust laws. “We are working to bring actions down the pike that will seek to shine a light on what’s been going on in the fertilizer market,” Vaden said.
Iowa Corn Growers Association President Steve Kuiper says farmers will continue gathering evidence and pushing investigations forward until they have access to a fair and free fertilizer market.
