Uncertainty surrounding negotiations between the United States and Iran continues to create volatility across energy, fertilizer and grain markets. Washington policy analyst Jim Wiesemeyer compared the dispute to an old-school Etch-a-Sketch. “You think you know something one day and then it shakes and you’re almost at ground zero.” Wiesemeyer said fertilizer availability and diesel prices remain major concerns heading toward harvest. “They’d better get that diesel price down relative to harvest because that’s when the next crunch is going to come,” he said. Wiesemeyer said the rising cost and limited availability of fertilizer are one reason lawmakers are discussing additional farm assistance. He added that congressional leaders are targeting action before the August recess.
