Ag News: Fertilizer Prices Soar and USDA Helps Hog Producers

**Fertilizer prices continue to skyrocket, as much as 300% in some areas, as farmers grapple with increased costs preparing for the 2022 growing season.

American Farm Bureau Federation economists found several elements contributing to record-high prices, including increased prices for raw nutrients, higher demand and energy costs.

Farm Bureau President Zippy Duvall says, "We urge the

President to look for ways to bring fertilizer prices down, which includes resolving supply chain disruptions and removing import duties."

**The USDA announced a new program to assist hog producers who faced reduced market prices due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Spot Market Hog Pandemic Program is part of USDA’s Pandemic Assistance for Producers initiative and addresses gaps in previous assistance for hog producers.

The program assists hog producers who sold hogs through a negotiated sale from April 16, 2020, through September 1, 2020.

**A federal judge is reviewing biological opinions that could affect agricultural water users relying on irrigation supplies from California’s Central Valley and state water projects.

A U.S. District Judge in Fresno received legal briefs from the Biden administration that argue for water management approaches to protect fish and wildlife in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta.

The issue has been bogged down in lawsuits over 2019 biological opinions issued under the Trump administration.