Missouri Corn Growers Join Coalition Pushing for Fertilizer Pricing Transparency

Farmers seek accountability in DOJ investigation into market concentration

Mar. 12, 2026 at 1:06pm

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The Missouri Corn Growers Association (MCGA) has joined a coalition of 14 state corn grower organizations in urging the U.S. Attorney General and USDA Secretary to continue the Department of Justice's investigation into fertilizer pricing and market concentration. The coalition letter reflects farmers' concerns about rising input costs and limited competition in the fertilizer market, which is critical for maintaining soil fertility and producing crops.

Why it matters

Ensuring a fair and competitive marketplace for essential agricultural inputs like fertilizer is crucial not only for farmers' livelihoods but also for the nation's food security. Transparency and accountability in the DOJ investigation are important for corn growers who depend on these products to grow the crops that feed and fuel the country.

The details

As Missouri corn growers enter the 2026 planting season, crop prices remain low while the cost of key fertilizer inputs continues to climb. According to market data, prices for diammonium phosphate, monoammonium phosphate, and potash have increased significantly over the past year. The coalition letter represents a unified voice from corn farmers across America calling for transparency, accountability, and a fair, competitive marketplace for these essential agricultural inputs.

  • The Missouri Corn Growers Association joined the coalition letter in March 2026.
  • The DOJ investigation into fertilizer pricing and market concentration was initiated in September 2025.
  • President Trump issued an executive order in December 2025 directing an investigation of anticompetitive conduct in sectors including fertilizer.

The players

Missouri Corn Growers Association (MCGA)

A state-level organization representing corn farmers in Missouri.

Pamela Bondi

The U.S. Attorney General.

Brooke Rollins

The U.S. Secretary of Agriculture.

Brian Lehman

The president of the MCGA and a corn grower from Versailles, Missouri.

U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ)

The federal agency conducting an investigation into fertilizer pricing and market concentration.

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What they’re saying

“Missouri corn farmers are making critical decisions right now while staring at rising input costs and tight margins. Farmers cannot control the price of corn, but we do expect the cost of essential inputs like fertilizer to be determined by a fair and competitive marketplace. Transparency and accountability in this investigation are important for the farmers who depend on these products to grow the crops that feed and fuel our country.”

— Brian Lehman, MCGA President and Corn Grower

“America's farmers need a marketplace where competition works and where the cost of doing business is not dictated by a handful of dominant companies. This coalition letter represents a unified voice from corn farmers across America: we need transparency, we need accountability, and we need a fair and competitive marketplace for the inputs that keep this nation fed.”

— Brian Lehman, MCGA President and Corn Grower

What’s next

The judge overseeing the DOJ investigation is expected to provide an update on the status of the probe in June 2026.

The takeaway

This case highlights the critical importance of maintaining a fair and competitive marketplace for essential agricultural inputs like fertilizer, which are vital for ensuring the nation's food security and supporting the livelihoods of America's corn farmers.