Time to Anonymously Report Fertilizer Industry Concerns
The call is out: "The U.S. Government is investigating the fertilizer cartel and has asked anyone with firsthand knowledge to come forward. The cost is too high to remain silent," the new savefamilyfarms.us website headlined.
Yes, it described the industry as a "fertilizer cartel."
USDA Deputy Secretary Stephen Vaden is urging farmers across the country to share their experiences about how they have been affected by consolidation in the fertilizer industry.
"Anybody can explain away one thing. You might be able to explain away two or three things. But if we've got 100 such stories from farmers all across this country, it becomes very difficult for even sophisticated lawyers to explain away such a large and broad-based phenomenon," Vaden said during an event in Ogden, Iowa, last Friday, according to Iowa Capital Dispatch.
Event organizers called the event: "Fed Up: Fertilizer Cartel Profits off Farmers' Backs." The Iowa Corn Growers Association organized it.
RELATED: Iowa Corn Growers Association President Mark Mueller has been pushing the Trump administration to help farmers in another way. He wants a harder push for this.
Why Is USDA Encouraging Anonymous Fertilizer Reports?
Vaden promoted the website to a broad audience. There were nearly 175 farmers from 13 states gathered around Vaden where he explained the dynamics in the fertilizer industry.
Vaden encouraged farmers, and they can do it anonymously, to share their stories about fertilizer to help the U.S. Federal Trade Commission's investigation into the industry.
Anonymity could protect farmers worried about retaliation or retribution for discussing the fertilizer purchasing process.
The FTC is looking into potential unfair pricing or anti-competitive practices.
Farmers have long complained about record profits for the largest North American fertilizer companies: Nutrien, CF Industries, The Mosaic Company, and Koch Ag & Energy Solutions.
How Is the Fertilizer Industry Responding?
"The fertilizer industry remains committed to solutions that support farmers and help ensure a stable and accessible supply of fertilizer products for American growers," said TFI President and CEO Corey Rosenbusch in a statement.
How Does the Trade War with Canada Affect Fertilizer?
President Donald Trump's recent trade war with Canada has largely avoided fertilizer and key ingredients like potash. Farm state politicians, like Iowa's U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley, have urged the administration to remember American farmers' reliance on potash.
Canada's annual production of 15 million metric tons of potash nearly equals the output of two rival countries (Russia and China).
Savefamilyfarms.us does not list a deadline by which farmers must report their experiences with fertilizer. But it does include the urgency of action:
"If you have been impacted by predatory market tactics, this is your moment to take a stand. The Federal Trade Commission is actively gathering testimony from agricultural producers and retailers regarding firsthand accounts of cartel behavior or anti-competitive content."
RELATED: USDA Deputy Secretary Stephen Vaden explained to American Farmland Owner last December why he believes his department's reorganization will ultimately benefit farmers and ranchers.
