By: NATHAN STUEDLE
USDA is asking farmers to share their experiences with fertilizer prices and industry consolidation as federal officials examine competition within the market. Deputy Agriculture Secretary Stephen Vaden made the request during a meeting with farmers in Iowa. Vaden says individual stories involving fertilizer pricing could help federal investigators identify potential unfair or anti-competitive practices. He says one or two cases may be explainable, but similar experiences from farmers across the country could establish a broader pattern.
The meeting also highlighted efforts to create additional fertilizer competition. Greenfield Nitrogen co-founder Linda Thrasher says her farmer-formed company has spent 12 years trying to develop a regional ammonia plant but has struggled to secure agreements with retailers and cooperatives. USDA is encouraging producers to document their experiences as officials continue examining fertilizer-market competition.