800 326 9054Surging sulfur puts fertilizer in jeopardy, lawmakers tell Trump
Soaring prices of sulfur, a main component of phosphate fertilizer, are adding to brutal farm inflation and putting U.S. food security at risk, Rep. Scott Franklin and other Florida Republicans tell President Donald Trump. Global shipping disruptions have tightened supplies and pushed prices to historic levels, causing some U.S. phosphate producers to idle operations, according to a Sept....
Rollins unveils plan to modernize USDA agricultural data collection
Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins today unveiled a plan to modernize USDA’s agricultural data collection at the Farm Progress Show in Boone, Iowa. “America’s farmers and ranchers are the backbone of our food and agricultural system, and USDA should respect their time while delivering the reliable information they need,” Rollins said. The “USDA Data Modernization Plan to Put Farmers...
CHS, OCP announce plans to build phosphate plant in Louisiana
CHS and OCP North America plan to build the first phosphate fertilizer plant in the U.S. in more than 40 years. The cooperative and the subsidiary of the OCP Group, a Moroccan enterprise, have announced that they are targeting Cornerstone Energy Park in Waggaman, Louisiana for the facility, which would produce more than 1 million tons a year of phosphate-based fertilizer. “The...
Former ag leaders push for congressional action to address farmers’ challenges
Former agricultural leaders are sounding the alarm over perceived congressional inaction as farmers struggle to turn a profit amid global instability, trade tensions and an increasing reliance on ad hoc farm assistance in lieu of a five-year farm bill. The bipartisan group, Restore American Agriculture, launched an online platform for farmers to voice their concerns about the...
With elections looming, EPA moves to ease gasoline price spikes
In a move cheered by the ethanol industry, the Trump administration announced a temporary emergency fuel waiver aimed at boosting U.S. gasoline supply and lowering prices at the pump. Starting Sept. 1, the Environmental Protection Agency’s action will allow the sale of E10, gasoline blended with 10% ethanol, at a higher Reid Vapor Pressure, or RVP. This “will increase...
Senate Ag Committee fails to advance farm bill amid SNAP feud
The Senate Agriculture Committee lacked enough votes to advance a farm bill Thursday due in part to partisan division over issues related to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. The bill was voted down 10-11. Chairman John Boozman, R-Ark., vowed to hold another vote after the Senate returns from a late-summer break in September. “It’s not going to...
Fighting for Our Corn Growers
By Rep. Randy FeenstraGuest Columnist Since our country’s founding, corn farmers have fed our families, fueled our economies, and strengthened our nation’s security. Representing the largest corn-producing district in the nation is more than just an honor—it’s a responsibility to ensure our commodity is in the best position possible to feed and fuel the world. That’s why I was deeply...
Thune says $95B reconciliation measure is ‘best path’ forward
Senate Majority Leader John Thune says he’s embracing a House-passed, $95 billion reconciliation budget measure as the “best path to success” for the SAVE America Act, fresh military and agriculture funds, and other items sought by President Donald Trump. “We can’t do everything in budget reconciliation, but we can do parts of it,” Thune, R-S.D., said on Fox News’ “Hannity.”...
Opinion: Trump made the right call on fertilizer — now finish the job
On June 29, President Trump declared an emergency and temporarily suspended the duties that have kept phosphate fertilizer from Morocco off American fields. It was the right call, and farmers heading into fall application season should welcome it. The administration deserves credit for recognizing what the numbers have shown for years: tax the world’s largest supplier of a...
Trump imposes 50% tariffs on Canadian alcohol, dairy and automobiles
The White House on Monday signed three executive trade actions to impose 50% tariffs on Canadian alcohol, dairy and automobiles, including products that are compliant with the U.S.-Mexico-Canada agreement. The action marks the latest escalation in the ongoing trade dispute between the Trump administration and Canada. The three proclamations would carve out exemptions for...