Congresswoman Julie Fedorchak (R-ND) joined several of her House colleagues in calling on U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins and Attorney General Pam Bondi to undertake a broad review of federal regulations that lawmakers say are restricting competition in the agricultural input marketplace.
In a letter sent to the two cabinet officials, the Members argue that a lack of competition—combined with rising regulatory burdens—has intensified financial pressure on farmers and ranchers at a time when commodity prices remain depressed. They ask USDA and the Department of Justice to identify regulations across all federal agencies that are impeding competition for agricultural inputs, and to clarify whether those barriers can be addressed through executive action by the Trump administration or will require legislation from Congress.
The lawmakers begin by laying out the economic backdrop facing producers, pointing to a sharp rise in on-farm expenses over the past several years.
“In 2024, nominal production expenditures per farm increased by over 39 percent
compared to 2020. These rising input costs coupled with low commodity prices have fueled an economic crisis in Rural America, and it’s why the efforts by your agencies to promote competition in the agricultural input marketplace are critical for our nation’s farmers and ranchers, especially as family farm bankruptcies increased by 55 percent in 2024 alone.”
Building on those cost pressures, the letter then turns to the role of market concentration and enforcement, emphasizing that existing competition laws must be applied consistently to prevent further erosion of producer bargaining power.
“Strong, consistent enforcement of existing antitrust provisions is critical to ensuring a fair and competitive marketplace that protects America’s producers and ultimately helps to make food affordable for all consumers.”
From there, the Members shift their focus to federal permitting and compliance requirements, arguing that regulatory complexity itself has become a barrier to entry for new businesses and innovations in the agricultural input sector.
“Producers and manufacturers have long-held concerns about costly permitting and compliance obligations that federal regulations have imposed on their businesses. Overregulation not only restricts employment, limits production, and slows down the construction of new input production capacity, but it can often keep new innovations and entrants out of the marketplace, since these businesses have fewer resources to comply with a burdensome regulatory structure.”
The letter concludes by formally requesting a written response from USDA and DOJ, asking the agencies to inventory the regulations they believe are limiting competition and to outline potential paths forward.
“As you partner to ensure a competitive supply chain for our farmers and ranchers, we request that you respond to this letter, by February 13, 2026, with a list of regulations across all agencies that impede competition in the marketplace for agricultural inputs.”
Industry organizations representing a range of commodity sectors voiced support for the lawmakers’ request, underscoring how persistently high input costs are affecting producers across the country.
“Rising costs for fertilizer, seed, and equipment have placed enormous strain on farmers across the Cotton Belt,” said Gary Adams, President and CEO of the National Cotton Council. “To help these producers, we must address unnecessary regulatory burdens and ensure that agricultural input markets remain fair and competitive. The National Cotton Council appreciates the leadership of Representative Arrington and other Members of Congress for bringing attention to these challenges.”
Corn producers echoed those concerns, noting that weak prices have compounded the impact of elevated input costs.
“Corn growers nationwide just finished a third consecutive year of net negative returns,” said Jed Bower, Ohio farmer and President of the National Corn Growers Association. “Input prices remain at near-record highs as corn prices per bushel have sharply dropped. That’s why NCGA appreciates the efforts by Rep. Arrington and other members Congress to address the root causes of high input costs while supporting competition.”
Sorghum producers also pointed to limited competition as a central challenge for farmers.
“Farmers continue to face rising input costs and limited competition,” said Barry Evans, Board Member of the National Sorghum Producers. “Enforcing existing antitrust laws and reviewing regulatory barriers are important steps toward promoting fairness and choice in the agricultural marketplace.”
Read the full letter here.
