Tag: press release

TFI: Rollins a Strong Choice to Lead USDA

Arlington, VA – The Fertilizer Institute (TFI) today applauded president-elect Trump’s nomination of Brooke Rollins to serve as Secretary of Agriculture, calling her nomination a “strong choice to lead the USDA.”

“TFI and the fertilizer industry congratulate Brooke Rollins on her nomination to lead the Department of Agriculture,” said TFI president and CEO Corey Rosenbusch. “She has strong agricultural ties and will be a powerful voice to lead on issues critical to the agricultural industry.”

In describing Rollins as a strong choice, Rosenbusch pointed to the nominee’s professional accomplishments, including work on the WOTUS rule, improving American food security, and her support for measures that defend US agricultural trade interests.

“Nominee Rollins has shown adeptness in not just effectively navigating difficult policies, but also ensuring that those policies have positive impacts on the American people,” Rosenbusch said. “Her experience serving in various policy roles in the first Trump Administration, including director of domestic policy; leading the Texas Public Policy Foundation for 15 years; and establishing both the America First Policy Institute and America First Works, has shown that she knows how to get things done.”

In addition to her proven policy track record, nominee Rollins has the agricultural roots to hit the ground running with a firm understanding of the challenges and opportunities that currently exist in the agricultural sector.

“I’ve known Brooke for 40 years and saw firsthand her passion for agriculture through our time together in the Glen Rose, Texas chapter of FFA where she was elected First Vice President for the Texas state chapter,” Rosenbusch continued. “She then went on to receive her agricultural development degree from Texas A&M where she was also the first female student body president elected in the school’s history.

“She definitely has the ag bona fides,” Rosenbusch concluded. “And the demonstrated leadership qualities that will enable her to succeed. Brooke Rollins’ nomination is a strong choice to lead the USDA and TFI looks forward to working with her upon her confirmation.”

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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.

The Fertilizer Institute Calls for More Customer Focus from Rail Industry

Arlington, VA – The Fertilizer Institute (TFI) today provided testimony to the Surface Transportation Board (STB) emphasizing 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 to customer needs.

“The fertilizer industry is heavily reliant on rail and cannot afford to see continued stagnation in freight rail service,” said TFI vice president of government affairs Ryan Bowley. “Unfortunately, we’ve seen freight volumes plateau, services decline, and rates skyrocket.”

TFI’s testimony comes at a pivotal time for the Class I railroads that make up the backbone of the nation’s freight rail system. The STB’s inquiry into the rail industry’s growth potential highlights a disturbing trend: freight rail carloads have been in decline since 2008, while trucking and other transportation sectors have consistently expanded their capacity.

Bowley also pointed to data showing that while rail employment has dropped and carloads have declined, rail rates have surged. Between 2005 and 2017, rates for transporting critical farm inputs like anhydrous ammonia increased by over 200%. Such price hikes, combined with inconsistent service, have made it difficult for fertilizer companies to meet the just-in-time delivery demands of farmers across the country.

“These rising costs and service failures are particularly troubling for industries like ours, which depend on rail to move bulk products safely,” Bowley continued. “Our members regularly face delays, held shipments, and escalating rates, often without any recourse. It’s clear that a new approach is needed.”

In its testimony, TFI highlighted the need for the rail industry to pivot toward a customer-focused, growth-driven model that balances profitability with service quality. The industry’s  adoption of “Precision-Scheduled Railroading” (PSR) led to deep cuts in staff and equipment, further exacerbating service issues.

TFI’s testimony also praised recent moves by the STB to increase oversight of rail service and pricing, including the implementation of faster emergency service orders while stressing the importance of additional reforms such as expanding access to reciprocal switching, a policy that would allow shippers to switch between competing rail carriers more easily.

“The rail industry should be actively competing for freight, not relying on captive customers to drive revenue,” Bowley concluded. “We need a system where railroads aren’t just collecting more revenue from a shrinking base but are growing their business by serving more customers with better service.”

TFI’s testimony can be read in full here.

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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 Canadian Rail Resolution

Arlington, VA – The Fertilizer Institute (TFI) today released the below media statement in response to the Canadian government ordering binding arbitration in the labor dispute between Teamsters Canada and the CN and CPKC railroads:

“TFI applauds the Canadian government’s efforts to take action to get the rail system moving again as quickly as possible. The economies of Canada and the United States are closely intertwined, and a dependable and reliable rail network is necessary to support the cross-border fertilizer supply chain and facilitate the movement of critical agricultural inputs on both sides of the border. We also thank US government officials for their engagement with both the industry and their counterparts in Canada. TFI looks forward to continuing to work with policymakers on strengthening supply chains and domestic fertilizer supply and production.”

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TFI: Canadian Rail Stoppage Resolution Critical

Arlington, VA – The Fertilizer Institute (TFI) today continued to push for a resolution to the rail stoppage in Canada after Thursday saw the shutdown of Canada’s rail networks saying that the impacts from even a short stoppage could have significant and long-lasting consequences.

“Rail transport is the backbone of North America’s supply chain, and fertilizer and agriculture are among the most dependent on rail service,” said TFI President and CEO Corey Rosenbusch, noting that the ripple effect will extend to the entire agricultural industry. “The interconnected and time-specific nature of agriculture means that even short-term disruptions to one segment have wide-ranging implications, affecting everything from grocery store prices to international trade.”

Fertilizers are critical inputs that must reach farmers at specific times during the year to ensure a successful harvest. Canada is the world’s largest producer and the U.S.’s main supplier of potash, a vital potassium-rich mineral used in fertilizers; Canada is also crucial in meeting nitrogen fertilizer needs across the Northern Plains. Ninety percent of U.S. fertilizer imports from Canada arrived by rail, and rail is the primary mode of transportation in moving potash from Canadian mines to ports for export around the globe.

TFI and 34 other U.S. agriculture industry associations wrote leaders on both sides of the border earlier this week urging intervention to avoid disruptions to the cross-border supply chain.

“Given the potential for widespread disruption, it is imperative that Canadian authorities act swiftly to resolve any rail stoppages as the agricultural sector and consumers in both Canada and the United States cannot afford prolonged uncertainty,” Rosenbusch continued. “U.S. policymakers also must recognize the seriousness of this issue and urge Canada to prioritize negotiations and find a resolution quickly.”

The rail shutdown in Canada also highlights the glaring oversight of not including potash on the U.S. Geological Survey’s (USGS) Critical Minerals list.

“The argument against including potash as a critical mineral hinges on the fact that most of the U.S. supply comes from Canada, a stable and reliable trading partner. However, a Canadian rail stoppage shatters this notion, revealing just how vulnerable the U.S. is to disruptions in its potash supply chain,” Rosenbusch explained. “Potash undoubtedly fits the definition of a mineral with a supply chain vulnerable to disruption and essential to our nation’s economy and national security.”

The Canadian rail shutdown exposed additional vulnerabilities in the U.S. supply chain and underscores the need for a more robust strategy to protect essential agricultural inputs.

“Food security is national security, and protecting the supply chain of essential agricultural products like potash is critical to the wellbeing of both nations,” concluded Rosenbusch. “Action must be taken now to ensure that our food systems remain resilient and capable of withstanding future challenges.”

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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 Priorities Included in Farm Bill Framework, Praises Progress

Arlington, VA – The Fertilizer Institute (TFI) today praised Farm Bill frameworks released by House Committee on Agriculture Chairman Congressman Glenn “GT” Thompson (R-PA-15) and Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Chairwoman Debbie Stabenow (D-MI).

“TFI is pleased to see so many of the industry’s priorities around conservation and nutrient stewardship included in the framework shared by Chairwoman Stabenow and Chairman Thompson,” said TFI President and CEO Corey Rosenbusch. “Nutrient stewardship is a cornerstone of the industry and we spend significant time encouraging grower adoption of these practices. The framework laid out yesterday will help that a great deal.”

Two specific priorities mentioned by Rosenbusch include recognizing Certified Crop Advisors (CCAs) as Technical Service Providers (TSPs) permitted to write and approve nutrient stewardship plans, and a pathway for enhanced efficiency fertilizers to be eligible for the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP).

“We know we still have a long way to go until we have a passed Farm Bill, but this framework is a big step forward,” Rosenbusch concluded. “We look forward to working with Congress on ensuring programs that help increase grower adoption of practices that keep fertilizer on fields and food on our tables remain included in the Farm Bill, as well as further initiatives aimed at strengthening the domestic fertilizer supply to safeguard our nation’s food security.”

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