WASHINGTON, D.C. (RFD NEWS) — Brooke Rollins is reiterating the need to support farmers facing rising input costs, telling lawmakers that new action on fertilizer supplies could be announced soon. Testifying before a Senate panel, Rollins said both short-term relief and long-term structural changes are needed to stabilize the fertilizer market and reduce reliance on foreign suppliers.
“Obviously, the short-term issues are acute and really require significant effort as we work to bring those prices down for the short term,” Rollins said. “The long term, though, cannot be overlooked… the fact that we have offshored so much of our fertilizer over the last decade or so is astounding to me. It is a national security issue, and we’re relying on Russia and China for our fertilizer. So the announcements coming, I think, will be on both the short and the long term.”
Rollins added she has been in direct contact with major fertilizer companies and, in a recent interview with RFD-TV, said the announcement could come as soon as this week.
Budget, Trade, and Biofuels in Focus
The comments came as Rollins outlined the administration’s broader agricultural strategy during budget hearings on Capitol Hill, emphasizing efforts to strengthen global competitiveness.
“We have already secured in just year one alone 18 reciprocal trade deals and frameworks that level the playing field,” Rollins said. “After inheriting a nearly $50 billion agricultural trade deficit… we are now looking… at a 42 percent reduction.”
She also pointed to ongoing efforts to expand domestic demand, including policy changes from the Environmental Protection Agency aimed at boosting the biofuels sector.
Trade Policy and Fertilizer Tariffs
Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick also addressed lawmakers, defending the administration’s approach to trade and fertilizer-related tariffs.
“Our historic trade deals have done exactly what you just said… we’re trying to smash down their barriers so our great farmers… can export,” Lutnick said, noting implementation timelines in places like Europe and Korea.
He added that countervailing duties on phosphate fertilizers are handled through the courts, though the Commerce Department remains engaged in facilitating discussions.
China, Soybeans, and Market Signals
Meanwhile, U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer said the administration is closely monitoring China’s commitments to purchase U.S. soybeans.
“We’re watching it very closely… China can be an unreliable purchaser,” Greer said. “But we have solid commitments… fairly easy to measure.”
Market analysts say that uncertainty — along with rumors of new Chinese buying — has helped support soybean prices in recent days.
Analyst Brian Hoops noted that farmers should take advantage of stronger prices.
“What it tells us is if you’re a producer, it’s time to get your marketing hat on,” Hoops said. “We’re at these higher price levels… protect the downside.”
USDA projections show soybean acreage could rise about 4 percent this year, as some growers shift away from corn to reduce fertilizer costs.
Energy Prices Still a Concern
Energy markets remain another key pressure point. Analysts warn diesel prices could take months — or longer — to normalize following disruptions tied to geopolitical tensions.
Despite recent declines, fuel costs remain significantly higher than a year ago, adding to financial strain during planting season.
Farm Bill and Labor Reform Ahead
Looking ahead, House Agriculture Committee Chairman Glenn “GT” Thompson says passing a new farm bill remains a top priority, with the legislation expected to move to the Senate in the coming weeks. Thompson also signaled upcoming reforms to the H-2A agricultural labor program.
“This will be the first real reforms to the agricultural workforce going back to the Reagan administration,” he said.
He added that lawmakers are also considering additional financial support for producers, including a potential $20 billion aid package on top of existing assistance programs.
As policymakers weigh trade, energy, and input costs, the fertilizer market remains a central concern — with producers watching closely for the administration’s next move.
