Farm Groups Push to Drop Phosphate Fertilizer Tariffs

DELMARVA — More than 60 agricultural organizations are pushing the Commerce Department to drop phosphate fertilizer tariffs on imports from Morocco and Russia. The coalition includes the National Corn Growers Association, American Soybean Association, and USA Rice. These farm groups argue the countervailing duties benefit only a handful of corporations while driving up input costs […]

DELMARVA — More than 60 agricultural organizations are pushing the Commerce Department to drop phosphate fertilizer tariffs on imports from Morocco and Russia. The coalition includes the National Corn Growers Association, American Soybean Association, and USA Rice. These farm groups argue the countervailing duties benefit only a handful of corporations while driving up input costs for American farmers. The timing is critical with spring planting underway across Delmarva.

Meanwhile, rising diesel prices are squeezing livestock producers as transportation costs climb. Agricultural economist Charley Martinez at the University of Tennessee says there is a direct link between fuel and trucking rates. Martinez notes the rule of thumb is whatever diesel costs per gallon typically equals the per-mile rate for a loaded truck. That is hitting cattle haulers especially hard.

Markets

May corn settled up 3 cents at $4.62 1/2 per bushel. May Chicago wheat rose 2 1/4 cents to $5.90. May soybeans dropped 8 1/2 cents to $11.55. Live cattle futures showed mixed action with April up 7 cents at $235.37 per hundredweight, while June slipped 5 cents to $234.60.

Forecast

Partly cloudy skies are expected tonight with lows around 35°. Wednesday brings partly sunny conditions with highs near 54° and light south winds. Thursday warms nicely to 66° before rain chances arrive Thursday night into Friday. That will bring needed moisture to the region with totals around 1/4 to 1/2 inch expected.

This article is based on the Delmarva Farm Report Update Evening Edition, March 24, 2026. Hosted by Tom Bradley.