U.S. Congress reintroduces Fertilizer Research Act to probe soaring farm input costs

A bipartisan group of U.S. senators has reintroduced legislation aimed at increasing transparency in the fertilizer market, as farmers face persistently high input costs that threaten profitability.

The Fertilizer Research Act, led by Senators Chuck Grassley of Iowa, Tammy Baldwin of Wisconsin, and Joni Ernst of Iowa, would require the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to conduct a comprehensive study on fertilizer pricing. Within a year of passage, the Secretary of Agriculture, working with the Economic Research Service, would need to deliver a report detailing the factors influencing fertilizer prices, market trends over the past 25 years, the role of imports and trade duties, industry concentration, and the impact of emerging technologies.

Fertilizer is one of the largest expenses for crop producers. The National Corn Growers Association projects it will account for 36% of corn growers’ operating costs in 2025. Rising prices have been particularly challenging for farmers in the Midwest, where corn and soybean production is concentrated.

Senator Grassley, a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, said the bill is intended to provide farmers with greater clarity. “Family farmers across the nation are severely hurting right now due to its high cost,” he said. “Our bipartisan bill will give farmers in Iowa and across the Heartland more transparency and certainty so they can better navigate production costs.”

Senator Baldwin described the measure as a way to support “the backbone of our rural communities,” while Senator Ernst emphasized the need for “much-needed clarity and certainty as harvest approaches.”

The proposal has drawn support from a wide range of farm organizations, including the National Corn Growers Association, the American Soybean Association, the American Farm Bureau Federation, and the National Farmers Union.

If enacted, the legislation would mark the most extensive federal review of fertilizer markets in decades, reflecting concerns from policymakers and producers that limited transparency and market concentration are leaving farmers exposed to volatile costs.