At the Agriculture Outlook Forum in Kansas City last week, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins highlighted the mounting costs farmers face, with seed, fuel, fertilizer, and interest expenses up significantly since 2020. Labor costs have also risen sharply due to the H-2A visa program’s wage requirements.

To address persistently elevated input costs, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Department of Justice have signed a Memorandum of Understanding. The agreement outlines a joint effort to examine factors contributing to higher costs for feed, fertilizer, fuel, seed, equipment, and other essential goods. The Antitrust Division of DOJ, working with USDA, will review competitive conditions in the agricultural marketplace and consider antitrust enforcement as needed

See Full Page