Increasing fertilizer production closer to the farm could help address some of the supply challenges facing Upper Midwest agriculture. “In Farm Bureau, we’re also advocating for local production,” said Carolyn Olson, vice president, Minnesota Farm Bureau. “Regulatory reform is a big part of that as well to allow some of these plants to be built in Minnesota in a timely manner.” Olson said fertilizer availability isn’t simply determined by overall supply. Transportation can also become a bottleneck for farmers in Minnesota and the Dakotas. “The rail lines sometimes get clogged up, and semi traffic sometimes slows down a little bit,” said Olson. “The issue is not a new issue. It’s a conversation that we’ve had many times.” Watch the forum.
