Farmers 'Fed Up' with Fertilizer Price Gouging Demand Justice from Suppliers

A group of over 170 farmers from 13 states gathered in Iowa to share their concerns about high fertilizer prices, which they claim are being forced upon them by major suppliers. The 'Fed Up: Fertilizer Cartel Profits off Farmers' Backs' hearing was hosted by the Iowa Corn Growers Association and attended by USDA Deputy Secretary of Agriculture Stephen A. Vaden.

The farmers alleged that American farmers are being 'bled dry' by fertilizer prices, which have continued to climb, generating over $20 billion in profits for fertilizer shareholders over the last five years. At the same time, producers have seen fertilizer prices double or even triple at times.

Vaden urged the farmers to keep the pressure on the current FTC investigations and stressed USDA's commitment to ensuring justice for farmers. He emphasized that the ongoing DOJ and FTC investigations will ultimately seek justice by 'seeing to it that the antitrust laws are enforced in this country, and we have a free market where you can depend on the price that's quoted is a result of competition instead of collusion.'

The Iowa Corn Growers Association President Steve Kuiper said Vaden's remarks were 'heard by each and every farmer in the room today.' He added that farmers will continue to gather evidence and push investigations forward until they have access to a fair and free market.