Senate Committee Probes Competition in Seed & Fertilizer Industries

The Senate Judiciary Committee reviewed competition issues in the seed and fertilizer industries. American Soybean Association President Caleb Ragland testified, saying soybean farmers are expected to experience a net loss of $109 per acre on their crop this year. “In just five years, seed prices have increased by 18 percent; fertilizer by 37 percent; pesticides by 25 percent; machinery by 23 percent and interest expense by 37 percent.” Ragland said advancements in seed and crop protection products have delivered significant agronomic benefits, but at an added cost. Progressive Policy Institute Vice President Diana Moss testified about her concerns over competition. With the large ag biotech mergers, we now see a highly integrated engineered system of traits development, traited seed, agrichemicals, and now digital farming,” said Moss. “It is very, very difficult for smaller innovators, say independent seed companies or independent trait innovators, to penetrate markets, to get a foothold and to compete effectively.”