Sen. Chuck Grassley of Iowa and Majority Leader John Thune of South Dakota introduced the Fertilizer Transparency Act of 2026 on Mar. 20, aiming to provide American farmers with more timely and accurate information about fertilizer prices.
The legislation addresses concerns from producers about rising input costs by requiring the Department of Agriculture to collect and publish weekly data on fertilizer prices from manufacturers. Currently, the department only conducts an annual voluntary survey on input prices paid by producers.
“Family farmers are suffering under high input costs that are pushing the ag economy to the brink. By requiring weekly reports on phosphorus, nitrogen and potassium, our bipartisan legislation will shine a light on fertilizer markets and promote much-needed transparency and competition in the ag economy,” Grassley said.
Thune said, “South Dakota’s producers have been facing some pretty fierce economic headwinds over the past few years. Higher prices for fertilizer – and the uncertainty surrounding costs – have only strained their budgets even further. This legislation would empower producers with better information about fertilizer pricing so they can make cost-effective choices when it comes to purchasing key inputs for their crops.”
Iowa Corn Growers Association President Mark Mueller also commented, “The Iowa Corn Growers Association (ICGA) sincerely appreciates Senator Grassley for once again championing support for corn farmers and demanding transparency in the fertilizer industry. Each year, the fertilizer industry dictates the terms when Iowa corn farmers purchase inputs. We cannot sustain these conditions, and this legislation will bring fairness and transparency to a key input needed by corn growers to produce a high yielding crop. The input price continues to be unbalanced in the cost of production for Iowa’s corn growers.”
The bill is cosponsored by Sens. Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota and Tammy Baldwin of Wisconsin. In September, Grassley and Baldwin reintroduced another bipartisan measure—the Fertilizer Research Act—which would require a comprehensive study by USDA into competition trends in the fertilizer market.
Grassley is one of only two farmers currently serving in the Senate; he actively raises corn and soybeans in Butler County, Iowa according to his official website. He has served as Iowa’s longest-serving U.S. senator with a focus on bipartisan collaboration according to his official website. His background includes service in the Iowa state legislature from 1958 to 1974 according to his official website, experience as a sheet metal shearer and assembly line worker according to his official website, degrees in political science from University of Northern Iowa according to his official website, assisting Iowans with federal agencies according to his official website, and being married since 1954 with five children according to his official website.
The introduction of this bill reflects ongoing efforts among lawmakers concerned about agricultural input costs nationwide.
