NCGA: Remember to Submit Ballot for FSA Committee Positions (Tue, 30 Nov 2021)
NCGA reminds corn growers that the deadline is approaching to submit ballots for the Farm Service Agency (FSA) county committee elections. Voters should return their ballots to their FSA county office by Monday, Dec. 6. Those wishing to mail-in ballots must make sure envelopes are postmarked by the ballot deadline. Committee members represent local farmers at USDA and play an important role in shaping FSA programs. Each committee has from three to 11 elected members who serve three-year terms of office, and at least one seat, which represents local administrative areas, is up for election each year. Newly elected committee members will take office on Jan. 1, 2022. Eligible voters who do not receive a ballot in the mail can request one from their local FSA county office. To find your local USDA Service Center, visit farmers.gov/service-locator. Visit fsa.usda.gov/elections for more information.

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As U.S. Court of International Trade Says It Will Review Amicus Brief on Fertilizer Tariffs, Farmers Call on Companies to Withdraw Petitions for Levies (Tue, 23 Nov 2021)
The U.S. Court of International Trade this week said that it will review an amicus brief submitted by the National Corn Growers Association and other ag groups in a case it’s considering on tariffs of phosphorous fertilizers imported from outside the country. But farmers, faced with severe shortages and high fertilizer costs, are calling on a major American fertilizer company to withdraw the petition that led to the tariffs. “Executives at Mosaic can remove this financial burden by withdrawing the petition,” Edgington said. “We invite them to do just that.” The U.S. Department of Commerce recommended in February 2021 that the International Trade Commission implement tariffs over 19% on imported fertilizers from Morocco after the Mosaic Company, which manufactures fertilizers used in the U.S. and abroad, filed a petition with the department seeking the levies. The ITC voted in March to impose the tariffs while adding similar levies on Russian imports. CF Industries also filed a petition with ITC to place tariffs on urea ammonium nitrate solutions, which are used in liquid fertilizers, imported from Russia and Trinidad & Tobago. A decision on that request is pending. “Given the effects tariffs are having on farmers, we hope the executives at CF Industries will withdraw their petition,” Edgington said. The financial impact of tariffs are beginning to dim planting forecasts for 2022, according to economists. Fertilizer costs between 2021 and 2022 are projected to lower net incomes by 34% in Illinois, according to new projections from economists at the University of Illinois. Farmers say the forecast in Illinois is illustrative of what’s happening across the country. “The tariffs have created a financial hardship for farmers.” Edgington said. “Another year of shortages and tariffs will be devastating.” The court could render a decision in 2022.

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