All Posts from March 19, 2020

TFI, ARA Urge Steps to Ensure Farm Supplies are Uninterrupted

In separate letters sent to President Trump, The Fertilizer Institute (TFI) on March 18 and the Agricultural Retailers Association (ARA) on March 19 asked the administration to take steps to ensure that the flow of fertilizer and other crop inputs is not impeded this spring due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

TFI President and CEO Corey Rosenbusch requested that the federal government recognize fertilizer and all agriculture inputs as “essential services” in order to ensure that American agriculture remains operable and unfettered.

ARA President and CEO Daren Coppock also urged that ag retailers and other parts of the farm supply chain be designated as “essential” and exempt from any mandatory closures of retail businesses or commercial ports. In addition, Coppock asked that the federal Hours of Service (HOS) waiver that has been extended to those carrying medical supplies also include the carrying of farm supplies and other products that are time-sensitive.

SWFC Still on Schedule

The Southwestern Fertilizer Conference continues to be scheduled for July 19-23, in Denver. However, the SWFC leadership said March 19 that it will continue to monitor the situation as it progresses so that it can respond as necessary. SWFC expects to provide another communication April 10, with a final decision before June 1.