Senate Judiciary Committee Examines Competition Issues in Seed, Fertilizer

Input costs are top of mind for farmers, as they contribute to higher prices and smaller profits.

NASHVILLE, TENN. (RFD-TV) — Input costs are top of mind for farmers, as they contribute to higher prices and smaller profits. The U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee is currently hosting a Tuesday hearing to examine input costs as part of a full committee hearing on competition issues in the seed and fertilizer industries.

“Now, nobody here wants to punish innovation,” said Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA). “We want better yields, healthier soils, quality products, and we’ve been vastly improving in that area for the last 40 years. But we also want competition that’s fair, transparent, and local competition that a farmer can actually express when he or she sits down to make a purchase.”

This is a developing story. We will continue to keep you updated on the hearing on the Market Day Report and Rural Evening News.

Related Stories
RealAg Radio host Shaun Haney explains why the 2026 USMCA review could directly affect dairy access, produce competition, and export reliability for U.S. farmers and ranchers.
More than 1,100 residents and farmers have signed a letter urging Ag Secretary Brooke Rollins to step in, saying the proposal threatens irrigation supplies and long-term farm viability in the region.
Reviewing risk management now can help dairy and livestock producers enter 2026 with clearer margins and fewer surprises.
Canada’s new voluntary Grocery Sector Code of Conduct will take effect on Jan. 1, a goodwill effort to promote fairness and transparency between retailers and support farms that sell directly to stores.
With record grain harvests and rising global ethanol demand, leaders across the ag and energy sectors are pushing for year-round E15 sales to mitigate the strain on grain trade.
Stronger rail movement and lower fuel prices are easing logistics, even as export pace and river conditions remain uneven.

LATEST STORIES BY THIS AUTHOR:

Recent USDA export sales data show China has been active in the U.S. market, but analysts tell RFD-TV News that the timing is a key clue.
USDA Undersecretary Luke Lindberg told RFD-TV News that we can only guess what Congress will do down the road. Still, the USDA recognizes its responsibility to spend resources efficiently and effectively.
Tight feeder supplies and lower placements indicate continued support for the cattle market, with regional impacts heightened in Texas by reduced feeder imports.
National Land Realty’s Jeramy Stephens shares his outlook on farmland market trends, which remain under close watch as new federal assistance programs roll out — with experts analyzing potential impacts on land values, buying, and stability.
Michelle Perez shares more about the American Farmland Trust’s resource to help farmers and producers plan soil health improvements.
Farm CPA Paul Neiffer outlines the key difference between previous ECAP payments and the Farm Bridge Assistance Program.