American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) called on the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to take steps to ensure America’s farmers continue to have access to crucial fertilizer supplies.

AFBF submitted comments on USDA’s “Request for Information on Access to Fertilizer: Competition and Supply Chain Concerns.”

In the filed comments, AFBF lists several factors that have combined to create shortages and drive up fertilizer costs, including the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine, rising inflation, labor shortages, regulatory hurdles and increased transportation costs.

“America’s farmers are being called on to feed both America’s families and families abroad as war and shortages take their toll on our international neighbors,” AFBF President Zippy Duvall said. “Farmers and ranchers have answered the call before, and they stand ready to do it again, but they need access to necessary supplies in a timely manner. Supply chain issues and inflation aren’t short-term problems, so we need long-term solutions, partnerships with USDA, and action across the federal government to ensure we can continue to meet growing demands of a hungry world.”

AFBF’s recommendations include:

  • Providing assistance to farmers to expand on-site farm fertilizer storage compacity to help them manage costs throughout the year;
  • Urging EPA to seek reforms to review processes that create barriers for domestic fertilizer production;
  • Modernize weight restrictions for trucks to reduce the number of trucks needed to transport goods;
  • Enact rail reforms to promote rail competition, fair rates and reliable service.

“Farmers are extremely concerned with the price pressures facing them in 2022 and beyond as our world supply of the critical components needed to produce fertilizer becomes more challenging and costly to obtain,” AFBF said. “Considering the myriad of factors outside of the purview of the U.S. government impacting fertilizer supply, it is imperative all federal agencies examine ways regulations can be altered to incentivize domestic fertilizer production while enabling farmers to proactively minimize their price risk through storage. As USDA considers its role in mitigating fertilizer supply chain shortages, USDA must serve as an advocate for farmers in removing barriers that stand in the way of improved access to fertilizer.”

Read the full comments here.