Growers urge federal action as fertilizer costs threaten farms

A couple of days ago, the National Corn Growers Association, joined by more than two dozen state-level corn grower associations, sent a letter to top U.S. government officials urging action to address the spiraling cost of fertilizer and other agricultural inputs. Addressed to U.S. Trade Representative Ambassador Jamieson Greer, Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick, and Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins, the letter outlines a dire financial outlook for American corn farmers and warns of the long-term consequences if relief is not provided.

“At the same time, current corn prices are extremely low, dropping by 14 percent from the beginning of 2025 and 50 percent since 2022,” the letter states, highlighting the growing imbalance between input costs and crop revenue. Fertilizer alone is projected to account for 36 percent of a corn farmer’s operating costs in 2025, according to the group, with prices for critical nutrients like urea ammonium nitrate (UAN-32) rising 37 percent since the beginning of the year.

The letter also points to the role of antidumping and countervailing duties as contributing factors to the cost crisis, noting that, “when imports are subjected to antidumping and/or countervailing duties, the resulting duty contributes to higher prices that is ultimately paid by farmers.” Specific fertilizer types such as monoammonium phosphate and diammonium phosphate have already seen retail price increases of 9 percent and 10 percent respectively in 2025.

The associations describe the combined effect of low corn prices, trade uncertainty, and high input costs as a “calamitous environment for farmers who are trying to plan for harvest and next season.” They warn that “projections for calendar year 2025 show negative profit margins across the country, due to high input costs that exceed grain revenue by more than $100 an acre.”

Despite these challenges, the letter acknowledges the administration’s trade efforts and reiterates a willingness to collaborate: “We are eagerly looking forward to fully implementing the announced trade deals and continued negotiations to dismantle both tariff and nontariff barriers that prevent U.S. corn from accessing key markets.”

In closing, the organizations offer to provide further information and emphasize the urgent need for government intervention: “We stand ready to supply your agencies with any information needed to alleviate the burden of input costs on farmers and sincerely appreciate your attention to our concerns.”

»Related: Study: Corn farming is a major engine for U.S. economy