Author: cglen

TFI and NGFA Urge Biden Administration Work with Canada to Ease Supply Chain Strains

ARLINGTON, VA – In a March 7 letter to President Joe Biden, The Fertilizer Institute, the National Grain and Feed Association, and 19 other members of the Agricultural Transportation Working Group requested the administration work with the Canadian government to avert a major railway labor strike and to rescind the cross-border vaccine mandate for workers moving essential commerce.

“(I)f the U.S. and Canadian governments allow the following supply chain disruptions to persist into the spring fertilizer season, the impacts to our industry and North American farmers could be devastating,” the working group noted.

The letter references a potential upcoming labor disruption at Canadian Pacific (CP) Railway. The Teamsters Canada Rail Conference recently voted in favor of strike action, which could happen as early as March 16. The impact would be significant for grain movements on both sides of the border for livestock feeding and processing operations served by the CP. The strike also would halt the CP route that carries U.S grain to the Pacific Northwest export market. Grain is CP’s largest line of business and approximately 10-15 percent of CP’s business is fertilizer, the working group noted.

“A CP railway strike would severely curtail fertilizer supply and shipments into the United States and would happen at the worst possible time as farmers are planting their 2022 crops,” the letter states. “Given the fragility of current supply chains, urgent attention and engagement with all parties is needed to avert a potential strike.”

The letter also urged the U.S. and Canadian governments to modify or rescind their mandates blocking unvaccinated foreign nationals, including truck drivers, from crossing the border. Canada’s vaccine mandate requires U.S. truckers to show proof of vaccination before entering the country and the U.S. mandate requires foreign cross-border truckers to be vaccinated. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has said its border policy will remain in effect through April 21.

“The border policy has raised prices because it has constrained trucking capacity and made truck movements more expensive and less timely,” the letter states.

Over one million short tons of fertilizer cross the U.S.-Canada border by truck each year. March, April and May are peak months for fertilizer applications across the northern states.

“Given the urgency of several supply-chain challenges, we urge revision or rescission of the border policy prior to April 21,” the working group stated.

View the full letter here.

 

###

TFI Elects 2022 Board of Directors

ARLINGTON, VA – The Fertilizer Institute (TFI) today announced the election of its 2022 Board of Directors. The election took place during a vote of the membership during TFI’s Annual Business Conference last week in Orlando, FL. Koch Fertilizer Executive Vice President Scott McGinn now serves as TFI’s Chairman and GROWMARK CEO-elect Mark Orr will serve as Vice Chairman.

TFI’s membership also elected the following board members for three-year terms: Ward Bloodworth, Helena Agri-Enterprises; Chris DeMoss, MFA Incorporated; Dale Edgington, Advanced Micronutrient Products; Josh Long, American Plant Food Corporation; Amy Yoder, Anuvia Plant Nutrients.

“The leadership of TFI’s Board of Directors is integral to the continued success of our organization,” said TFI President & CEO Corey Rosenbusch. “The fertilizer industry faces challenges on many fronts, but as both an organization and an industry we have been able to innovate with new technologies, advance sound public policy objectives and educate a wide audience about the critical need for fertilizer through strategic engagement. Our Board of Directors plays an active role in ensuring we have a clear vision on where we are heading as an industry and remain focused on achieving the goals we have set for ourselves. I am excited to work with this talented set of industry leaders.”

TFI is the leading voice of the nation’s fertilizer industry. Tracing its roots back to 1883, TFI’s membership includes fertilizer producers, wholesalers, retailers, and trading firms. TFI’s full-time staff, based in Washington, D.C., serves its members through legislative, educational, technical, economic information and public communication programs.

Find more information about TFI online at TFI.org.

Learn more about TFI’s nutrient stewardship initiatives at nutrientstewardship.org.

 

###

The Fertilizer Institute (TFI) is the leading voice of the nation’s fertilizer industry. Tracing its roots back to 1883, TFI’s membership includes fertilizer producers, wholesalers, retailers and trading firms. TFI’s full-time staff, based in Washington, D.C., serves its members through legislative, educational, technical, economic information and public communication programs. Find more information about TFI online at TFI.org and follow us on Twitter at @Fertilizer_Inst. Learn more about TFI’s nutrient stewardship initiatives at nutrientstewardship.org and on Twitter at @4rnutrients.

TFI Submits Comments on WOTUS, Urges Delay Until Pivotal SCOTUS Ruling

ARLINGTON, VA – The Fertilizer Institute (TFI) this week submitted comments to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers regarding a proposed revised definition of “Waters of the United States” (WOTUS).

“TFI members have a strong interest in ensuring that the definition of WOTUS, which governs the reach of federal regulatory authority under the CWA, is clearly defined and consistently implemented across the nation,” said TFI President & CEO Corey Rosenbusch. “Many of our member companies must plan years in advance to obtain all necessary permits in accordance with the Act. Their operations therefore depend on regulatory certainty and predictability.”

TFI strongly supported the Navigable Waters Protection Rule (NWPR) because of the certainty and predictability it provided to the fertilizer industry but was disappointed by the agencies’ decision to stop implementing the rule nationwide following a ruling by a judge in Arizona. Equally disappointing to the fertilizer industry was the agencies’ decision to propose a formal repeal of the NWPR and codify a case-by-case framework for determining jurisdiction of non-navigable waters that the agencies and nearly all other stakeholders previously agreed was unworkable.

Complicating matters further is a pending U.S. Supreme Court ruling to determine whether Justice Kennedy’s “significant nexus” is the proper test for asserting jurisdiction over wetlands that are adjacent to tributaries of “waters of the U.S.”

“The agencies should postpone all rulemaking proceedings until after an opinion has been issued on this case to reduce duplicated efforts on behalf of the agencies and stakeholder communities, reduce regulatory whiplash, and increase the chances of a final definition being sustainable,” Rosenbusch continued.

TFI is not alone in requesting a delay in agency rulemaking on WOTUS until the Supreme Court has issued their ruling. A letter led by Senator John Thune (R-SD) urging the EPA and USACE to stop the rulemaking process until a Supreme Court ruling garnered the signature of all fifty republican Senators and was sent to agency heads on Thursday, February 3rd.

“TFI recommends the agencies withdraw the Proposed Rule because it impermissibly strips the term “navigation” of any meaning. The NWPR’s definition should be used as the foundation for a durable definition,” Rosenbusch concluded. “And if the Proposed Rule is not withdrawn, at a minimum they should pause the current rulemaking effort until the Supreme Court rules on which test is most appropriate for determining the definition.”

TFI’s full comments can be found here.

 

###

 

The Fertilizer Institute (TFI) is the leading voice of the nation’s fertilizer industry. Tracing its roots back to 1883, TFI’s membership includes fertilizer producers, wholesalers, retailers and trading firms. TFI’s full-time staff, based in Washington, D.C., serves its members through legislative, educational, technical, economic information and public communication programs. Find more information about TFI online at TFI.org and follow us on Twitter at @Fertilizer_Inst. Learn more about TFI’s nutrient stewardship initiatives at nutrientstewardship.org and on Twitter at @4rnutrients.

TFI Applauds Hedlund’s Confirmation to STB

ARLINGTON, VA – The Fertilizer Institute (TFI) President and CEO Corey Rosenbusch released the following statement regarding Ms. Karen Hedlund’s Senate confirmation to serve as a Board Member of the Surface Transportation Board (STB).

“Congratulations to Karen Hedlund on her confirmation to serve as a Board Member of the STB. Ms. Hedlund has a wealth of transportation experience from her time serving the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) and the Federal Highway Administration (FHA) in various roles over more than a decade. TFI was pleased to support her confirmation and looks forward to working with her to promote rail competition and reliable service.”

 

###

The Fertilizer Institute (TFI) is the leading voice of the nation’s fertilizer industry. Tracing its roots back to 1883, TFI’s membership includes fertilizer producers, wholesalers, retailers and trading firms. TFI’s full-time staff, based in Washington, D.C., serves its members through legislative, educational, technical, economic information and public communication programs. Find more information about TFI online at TFI.org and follow us on Twitter at @Fertilizer_Inst. Learn more about TFI’s nutrient stewardship initiatives at nutrientstewardship.org and on Twitter at @4rnutrients.

TFI Celebrates Infrastructure Passage

ARLINGTON, VA – The Fertilizer Institute (TFI) President and CEO Corey Rosenbusch late Friday applauded the House passage of the “Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.” The legislation authorizes a new highway bill and includes funding for roads, bridges, broadband and water navigation.

“Infrastructure investment is critical to the fertilizer industry because of the just-in-time nature of demand. Fertilizer needs to be delivered to growers exactly when and where they need it and there is not much room for error,” Rosenbusch said. “Bottlenecks due to road or bridge closures or delays due to crumbling locks and dams can negatively impact the timely delivery of necessary crop nutrients to farmers. Fertilizer is critical to strong yields and the success of America’s agricultural industry.

Surface transportation provisions of particular importance to the fertilizer industry are $110 billion for Highway programs, including $12.5 billion for the Bridge Investment Program, and the inclusion of the Drive Safe Act apprentice program and Hours of Service exemption. “All fertilizer utilized in the United States touches a truck at least once, meaning that reliable and safe highways, roads and bridges are of paramount importance,” Rosenbusch explained.

Rosenbusch next highlighted the $17 billion for waterway infrastructure and the $2.5 billion marked for inland waterways construction, explaining that “fertilizer moves year-round by rail, barge and pipeline and ocean vessels and there is much funding needed to address over $8 billion in backlog maintenance for inland waterways.”

Connecting rural America to broadband is also a priority of TFI, with Rosenbusch calling it essential for precision agriculture and the wider implementation of 4R Nutrient Stewardship practices, a scientifically proven method of maximizing crop yields while significantly reducing environmental impacts.

“It has been a long road to get here, but we applaud the House and Senate for coming together and passing this much needed legislation,” Rosenbusch concluded. “Half of all crop yields are directly attributable to fertilizer. If growers don’t receive fertilizer in a timely manner, then there are potential consequences for food security and the environment. We urge President Biden to sign this landmark legislation as soon as it comes across his desk.”

TFI to House Ag Committee: Fertilizer is a Global Commodity Critical to Our Nation’s Food Supply Chain

ARLINGTON, VA – In testimony submitted to the House Agriculture Committee on Wednesday, The Fertilizer Institute (TFI) President & CEO Corey Rosenbusch highlighted the global nature of the fertilizer market and its critical role in feeding the world’s growing population.

“First of all, the fertilizer industry ensures that farmers receive the nutrients they need to enrich the soil and, in turn, grow the crops that feed our nation and the world,” Rosenbusch said. “Without fertilizer, we would have to make do with half of our current food supply.”

Pivoting to the subject of the committee hearing, “The Immediate Challenges to Our Nation’s Food Supply Chain,” Rosenbusch continued that fertilizer markets and related supply chain challenges must be considered within a global context, as demand for fertilizer is global in nature and fertilizers are used by farmers in nearly every country in the world.

“Fertilizers are truly global commodities, as these materials are transported from the limited number of countries which produce them to the global market which requires them,” Rosenbusch explained. “Nearly 44% of all fertilizers produced globally are exported. Moving this material from production facilities to farms requires virtually every mode of transportation and a carefully orchestrated system of logistics to serve farmers on a just-in-time basis.”

Prices have been rising for nearly all goods and services over the past 18-20 months, including fertilizer. “A variety of factors impact fertilizer markets, and most recently, are negatively impacting supply and raising costs,” Rosenbusch said. “Current factors that have most influenced the current fertilizer market are global demand for fertilizer, disruptive weather events, deferred facility maintenance due to the COVID-19 pandemic, international trade sanctions and actions, increasing transportation costs, and the rising cost of natural gas.”

Domestically, the February winter ice storms and Hurricane Ida disrupted production in an area responsible for 60% of domestic ammonia production. Further eroding the ability of domestic manufacturers to recover from weather-related lost production was the deferral of necessary maintenance to multi-billion-dollar facilities. This maintenance was delayed to reduce potential exposure to COVID from additional personnel on site and will be ongoing through 2022, resulting in facility closures of 2-6 weeks.

International events have also affected fertilizer supply. “While the U.S. imports 86% of potash fertilizer from Canada and only 5% from Belarus, Belarus is a large supplier of potash and accounts for 21% of global production,” Rosenbusch said. “The sanctions on Belarus have had an impact on the global supply-demand balance and the price of fertilizer. Additionally, China has recently banned phosphate fertilizer exports and instituted tighter export controls on other fertilizer materials, including urea, further tightening the global nitrogen market.”

Rising energy costs affect the cost of fertilizer production, namely the key input of natural gas which accounts for 70-90% of the production cost of ammonia. “The U.S. has enjoyed low natural gas prices in recent years, but in the past six months domestic natural gas prices have increased by 224%,” explained Rosenbusch. “Natural gas prices in Europe are currently four times higher than in the U.S. and have forced facilities there to reduce output or idle plants, leading to lower availability and higher prices for farmers.”

Transportation costs have also risen dramatically, especially for certain types of fertilizer. “Rail rates for shipping anhydrous ammonia, the building block of all nitrogen fertilizers and one of the most efficient sources of nitrogen for farmers, have increased by 206% over the past twenty years,” said Rosenbusch. “That increase is more than triple the average increase for all other commodities combined.” Large cost-saving initiatives and questionable authority delegation to the rail industry, coupled with the fact that more than half of all fertilizer tonnage moves by rail, have raised shipping costs for fertilizer by millions of dollars.

“Many in the agricultural sector have experienced challenges related to crop inputs and fertilizer has not been spared,” Rosenbusch concluded. “We are proud of the industry’s efforts to ensure supply while dealing with changing global dynamics so that farmers in the U.S. and abroad are able to grow the food, fuel and fiber our growing world needs.”  

TFI’s full submitted testimony can be read by clicking here.

 

###

The Fertilizer Institute (TFI) is the leading voice of the nation’s fertilizer industry. Tracing its roots back to 1883, TFI’s membership includes fertilizer producers, wholesalers, retailers and trading firms. TFI’s full-time staff, based in Washington, D.C., serves its members through legislative, educational, technical, economic information and public communication programs. Find more information about TFI online at TFI.org and follow us on Twitter at @Fertilizer_Inst. Learn more about TFI’s nutrient stewardship initiatives at nutrientstewardship.org and on Twitter at @4rnutrients.

U.S. Fertilizer Industry Commits to 70 Million Acres Under 4R Nutrient Stewardship by 2030

ARLINGTON, Va., Oct. 14, 2021 – The Fertilizer Institute (TFI) celebrated Global Fertilizer Day yesterday, a day when agricultural professionals gather to highlight the critical key role that fertilizer plays in meeting the growing global demand for nutritious and sustainably-grown food. Today, TFI looks to the future in announcing an industry-wide commitment to commit 70 million acres under 4R Nutrient Stewardship management by 2030. Acres managed using the 4R concept incorporate practices that use the right fertilizer source at the right rate, at the right time, and in the right place. When the 4Rs are put into practice, growers are able to achieve higher yields, lower input costs, and less nutrient losses to the environment

“The sustainable use of fertilizer is not only a priority for the fertilizer industry, but for millions of farmers across the nation,” said Corey Rosenbusch, TFI president and CEO. “A key goal for the industry is a commitment to a healthy environment, and setting this goal to improved nutrient stewardship is an important step in meeting that goal.”

Last year, TFI’s Board of Directors and retail membership resolved to establish a 4R Acre target where retail members would contribute 4R acreage information to collectively meet the 70-million-acre goal by 2030. A 4R acre is defined as an acre of U.S. cropland under management using 4R practices, such as crediting organic sources and removal rates, variable rate technology, split applications, the use of cover crops, accounting for weather during application, etc.

Fertilizer is a key component of sustainable crop production systems, and the fertilizer industry recognizes the need to use these nutrients efficiently. 4R Nutrient Stewardship is an innovative and science-based approach that offers enhanced environmental protection, increased production, increased farmer profitability, and improved sustainability. Practices based on the right source, rate, time, and placement of fertilizer application can lead to improved on-farm profitability, improved water quality, and reduced loss of greenhouse gases.

The world’s growing population depends on responsible agricultural practices to provide a steady supply of food. Modern fertilizer techniques, such as 4R Nutrient Stewardship, precision agriculture, and enhanced efficiency fertilizers, are an essential part of this sustainable future, and TFI is invested in promoting best practices to help farmers improve their productivity and food nutrition.

For more information on 4R Nutrient Stewardship, including farmer profitability case studies, visit 4RFarming.org.

#

 

The Fertilizer Institute (TFI) is the leading voice of the nation’s fertilizer industry. Tracing its roots back to 1883, TFI’s membership includes fertilizer producers, wholesalers, retailers and trading firms. TFI’s full-time staff, based in Washington, D.C., serves its members through legislative, educational, technical, economic information and public communication programs. Find more information about TFI online at TFI.org. Learn more about TFI’s nutrient stewardship initiatives at nutrientstewardship.org.

 

 

 

TFI and Ag CEOs Talk WOTUS with EPA’s Regan

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Fertilizer Institute (TFI) President and CEO Corey Rosenbusch on Friday joined other CEOs of agricultural groups for a discussion with Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Michael Regan on the Waters of the United States (WOTUS) rule.

“WOTUS is incredibly important for the fertilizer industry and our grower customers,” Rosenbusch said. “For years we have been advocating for a rule that provides clarity, certainty and a sustainable national water policy that both protects the environment and facilitates smart economic development.”

TFI has long shared EPA’s goal of improving water quality and continuously advocates for the adoption of nutrient management practices such as 4R Nutrient Stewardship (using the right fertilizer source, applied at the right rate, at the right time and in the right place) that enhance environmental protection while helping to ensure farmer profitability.

“We appreciate Administrator Regan’s efforts to engage with the agricultural community and to have these opportunities to provide input and feedback directly to the administration,” Rosenbusch continued. “WOTUS has gone back and forth over the last two administrations, but we strongly recommend that the Agency retain the Navigable Water Protection Rules definitions, which provide much-needed clarity and certainty for the fertilizer industry and are protective of water resources. However, we are confident that we can work with Administrator Regan’s pragmatic approach to provide any tweaks to the definitions that may be necessary for specific areas of the country.”

 

###

The Fertilizer Institute (TFI) is the leading voice of the nation’s fertilizer industry. Tracing its roots back to 1883, TFI’s membership includes fertilizer producers, wholesalers, retailers and trading firms. TFI’s full-time staff, based in Washington, D.C., serves its members through legislative, educational, technical, economic information and public communication programs. Find more information about TFI online at TFI.org and follow us on Twitter at @Fertilizer_Inst. Learn more about TFI’s nutrient stewardship initiatives at nutrientstewardship.org and on Twitter at @4rnutrients.

TFI Statement on EPA Phosphogypsum Decision

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Fertilizer Institute (TFI) President and CEO Corey Rosenbusch released the following statement regarding the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) decision to withdraw approval for limited reuse of phosphogypsum (PG) in road construction.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) decision on June 30th to withdraw on procedural grounds its October 2020 approval of the limited use of phosphogypsum (PG) in road construction is disappointing and inconsistent with the Agency’s prior interpretation of its regulations. However, The Fertilizer Institute (TFI) agrees that EPA decisions should be based on, and adhere to, existing regulatory requirements. The responsible use of PG has been proven to be both sustainable and environmentally sound. TFI strongly urges the EPA to rely on sound science to amend its regulations to allow for the categorical use of PG as sought by TFI.
 
Importantly, the EPA withdrew the PG road base approval based solely on procedural grounds, and its withdrawal did not contradict TFI’s robust risk assessment in support of the use of PG in road construction. In fact, the decision to withdraw the categorical approval to use PG in road construction definitively left the window open for site specific projects to be considered for EPA approval based on the same scientific merits which focus on safe, sustainable use. We concur with EPA’s scientific evaluation and conclusion that the risk associated with the use of PG in road construction is no greater than stacking the material or placing it in mines. 
 
The International Atomic Energy Agency said it best when they concluded that, “[a]ll evidence suggests that the [radiation] doses received as a result of the use of phosphogypsum in agriculture, road construction, in the marine environment, and in landfill facilities are sufficiently low that no restrictions on such use are necessary.”
 
TFI will continue to work with the EPA and other stakeholders so that the United States can join with the numerous countries throughout South America, Asia, Europe, Africa, and Canada that permit the safe and environmentally conscious beneficial use of PG.

 

###

The Fertilizer Institute (TFI)
The Fertilizer Institute (TFI) is the leading voice of the nation’s fertilizer industry. Tracing its roots back to 1883, TFI’s membership includes fertilizer producers, wholesalers, retailers, and trading firms. TFI’s full-time staff, based in Washington, D.C., serves its members through legislative, educational, technical, economic information and public communication programs. Find more information about TFI online at TFI.org. Learn more about TFI’s nutrient stewardship initiatives at nutrientstewardship.org. 

Infrastructure Package Moves through Senate Committee

The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation on Wednesday approved its portion of the Senate’s Highway bill by a vote of 25-3.

While the legislation approved Wednesday by the Committee is very similar to the introduced version, the manager’s amendment (substitute) included the following policy modifications that may be of interest.

  • Ag Restricted CDLs:  Sen. Moran (R-KS) led this effort. Allows for the Farm-Related Restricted CDL program to restart at the beginning of each calendar year. The change does not address request (see coalition letter) to increase the number of days that farm-related restricted CDLs can operate, though Committee staff is willing continue discussions and indicated willingness to increase the days from 180 to 210 days after the markup and presumably prior to approval by the full Senate.
  • Drive Safe Act:  Sen. Young (R-IN) led this effort. Compromise language was agreed to that creates a pilot program with similar parameters to the civilian pilot program that former Secretary Chao was working to finalize. This is not everything that we wanted (see coalition letter), but it is as much as we could get and it importantly comes with assurances that Chair Cantwell (D-WA) will support the compromise language throughout the legislative process.
  • Hauls Act (HOS):  Sen. Fischer (R-NE) led this effort. Compromise language creates an expanded hours-of-service exemption of 150 air-miles on the backend for livestock haulers only. This is helpful to livestock, but no one else. Concern for animal welfare appears to be the primary factor of this narrow compromise, despite the efforts of the broader coalition.

Outlook:  The full House intends to consider its Highway bill the week of June 28. Neither the House nor Senate has formerly identified how to pay-for their Highway bills to cover the anticipated shortfall of projected Highway Trust Fund (HTF) revenues. The federal tax on gasoline of 18.4 cents per gallon has not been adjusted since 1993. It is possible that Congress could authorize spending, including deficit spending, for a new Highway bill and separately move a reconciliation package that includes other Democrat priorities, including corporate and capital gains tax increases. The Senate EPW Committee unanimously approved its $312 billion portion on May 26. The Senate Banking Committee still needs to act on its authorizing portion that includes certain transit accounts. It appears that the full Senate will not consider its Highway bill until July at the earliest.

Also Wednesday, and somewhat separately, a group of 20 Senators (10 Republicans and 10 Democrats) announced support (related article) for a framework on a broader infrastructure package. Details are scant, though reports indicate it would be $974 billion over five years, $1.2 trillion over eight years, and it includes $579 billion in new spending, which should generally mean spending above and beyond projected highway trust fund revenues via a Highway bill. A lot of hypotheticals remain, but a future House-Senate Highway bill agreement could be included in this framework.