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TFI applauds administration’s investment in domestic fertilizer production

The Fertilizer Institute says it’s encouraged by the Biden administration’s efforts to increase domestic fertilizer supply to help quell record prices. 

President and CEO Corey Rosenbusch tells Brownfield the U.S. needs to reduce its dependence on imports.  “We need to make sure what supply we can generate domestically is maximized and minimize the effects of geopolitical events that are driving so much of this market.”  

President Biden announced he was doubling USDA’s investment of $250 million in domestic fertilizer production at a farm visit in Illinois last week.  

He says the administration’s invest of $500 million dollars isn’t a long-term solution.  “To build a nitrogen plant, for example, it could cost $5 billion. If you think about $500 million towards a single nitrogen plant that might cost $5 billion, we’re not going to immediately flip the switch and start producing more nitrogen.”  

He says the money could help companies improve their technology. “For a lot of our smaller to midsize members that have fertilizer technology, slow release technology (and) bio stimulant – things that will be used in conjunction with your traditional NPK fertilizers to help them be more efficient.”  

Rosenbusch says TFI has also asked USDA to make improvements to nutrient management practices within the agency’s conservation programs. “We’ve asked them to revise the technical service provider program to allow certified crop advisors to write nutrient stewardship plans that can be used for some of the nutrient management conservation dollars for example.”  

He says improvements to nutrient management practices could provide immediate relief.  

The 4R Nutrient Stewardship practices, applying fertilizer at the right source rate, time and place, are part of TFI’s latest policy solutions.