rail

Ethanol Depends on Reliable Rail Service

Dan Environment, Fertilizer, Fertilizer

We told you last week that The Fertilizer Institute (TFI) had testified before the Surface Transportation Board emphasizing the ongoing need for the freight rail industry to shift its focus toward customer service and growth. Another group, Growth Energy, is also highlighting the many issues currently plaguing the nation’s rail service that has resulted in delayed shipments, longer wait times, …

The Fertilizer Institute

The Fertilizer Institute Wants More from Rail Industry

Dan Fertilizer, Fertilizer

The Fertilizer Institute (TFI) testified before the Surface Transportation Board and emphasized the ongoing need for the freight rail industry to shift its focus toward customer service and growth. The fertilizer industry has long relied on rail service for the efficient and safe transport of its products but has struggled with declining service quality, increasing rates, and a lack of attention …

Fertilizer prices

Despite Low Demand, Fertilizer Prices Remain High

Dan Economy, Environment, Fertilizer, Fertilizer

Fertilizer prices remain higher despite agriculture being past the high-demand spring season. Josh Linville of StoneX told Agweb.com that multiple global factors are the reason prices have stayed high. Lower European production is the first reason as skyrocketing natural gas prices have cut EU production by 25 percent. Brazil is another reason as high costs have led to a decrease in …

USDA Investing in Domestic Fertilizer Projects

Dan Environment, Fertilizer, Fertilizer, USDA

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) recently announced it is investing in domestic fertilizer projects to strengthen competition for U.S. farmers, ranchers and agricultural producers. This funding is designed to create jobs and spur economic growth in rural communities by increasing competition in agricultural markets.  The Department is awarding $83 million in 12 states for projects through the Fertilizer Production Expansion Program (FPEP). This …

Bill Solidifies Critical Fertilizer Minerals

Dan Agri-Business, Environment, Fertilizer, Fertilizer, Legislative

The Fertilizer Institute (TFI) thanks the U.S. Senate for introducing bipartisan legislation to include phosphate and potash on the final list of critical minerals of the Department of the Interior. TFI says the legislation will recognize the importance of ensuring a strong and sustainable domestic fertilizer supply for American farmers. “The majority of the world’s phosphate and potash resources are concentrated …

TFI: Tightening of Air Standards will Hamper Fertilizer Production

Dan Environment, Fertilizer, Fertilizer

This week, The Fertilizer Institute (TFI) expressed alarm with the Environmental Protection Agency’s lowering of the National Ambient Air Quality Standards for fine particulate matter. According to TFI, the change will lead to permitting gridlock across much of the country, negatively impacting economic growth and fertilizer production. TFI President and CEO Corey Rosenbusch says, “At a time when the need …

Potential Impact to Fertilizer Markets by Middle East Conflict

Dan Fertilizer, Fertilizer

The conflict in the Middle East has several markets on edge, including fertilizers. Andy Jung, vice president of market and strategic analysis with Mosaic, is closely watching the situation between Israel and Hamas. “Well, the worst-case scenario is pretty easy to draw up. If there was a widening of the conflict, if Iran in particular were to get involved, and …

FAPRI Releases U.S. Baseline Outlook

Dan Agri-Business, Beef, Cattle, Corn, Cotton, Dairy, Eggs, Fertilizer, Field Crops, Livestock, Peanuts, Pork, Poultry, Soybeans, Wheat

The Food and Agricultural Policy Research Institute (FAPRI) at the University of Missouri released its annual U.S. Baseline Outlook report. It includes projections for agricultural and biofuel markets and helps in evaluating alternative scenarios for agricultural policy. “Projected prices for most crops, poultry, and dairy products all retreat in 2023 from recent peaks, and so do some production expenses,” says …

Fertilizer Prices Continue Dropping from Peak Levels in 2022

Dan Economy, Fertilizer, Fertilizer

After reaching historic highs in 2022, prices for major fertilizers have trended consistently lower since then. Farmdoc Daily from the University of Illinois says supply and demand fundamentals, as well as some resolution of the ongoing impacts of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, were contributing factors. Fertilizer prices peaked during the second quarter of 2022, when anhydrous ammonia reached $1,635 per ton …

Manure Recycling on the Farm

Dan Beef, Biofuels/Energy, Cattle, Dairy, Environment, Equine, Fertilizer, Greenhouse Gas, Livestock, Pasture, Pork, Poultry, Sheep-Goats, This Land of Ours

It’s another type of recycling on the farm. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. Farmers who utilize manure as a fertilizer mostly get the aromatic livestock byproduct from their own operations. New data from USDA’s Economic Research Service shows most manure applied to U.S. cropland, 78 percent, comes from animals raised on the same operation. Meanwhile, 14 percent …