Brownton farmer Ryan Mackenthun, who serves as vice president of the Minnesota Soybean Growers Association, joined Executive Director Joe Smentek and industry leaders April 6, 2026, at Rob Tate’s Cannon Falls farm alongside Sen. Amy Klobuchar to discuss legislation she introduced with Republican colleagues (the Fertilizer Transparency Act and Homegrown Fertilizer Act) to bring more transparency to fertilizer prices & expand domestic fertilizer production.

“What stood out to me in our conversation was the shared focus on finding long-term, practical solutions for row crop agriculture — not just quick fixes,” Mackenthun said. “We also had a good discussion around how global issues, like the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, are directly impacting input costs back on our farms here in Minnesota.”

The Fertilizer Transparency Act would create a mandatory price reporting structure to provide wholesalers, retailers, and farmers of all sizes with comparable levels of market information on fertilizer costs. The Homegrown Fertilizer Act would create a grant and loan program to expand domestic fertilizer production and improve fertilizer storage capacity. This will strengthen supply chains at home, and ease dependence on global markets.

MSGA Vice President Ryan Mackenthun (right) talks with Sen. Klobuchar during an event at a Cannon Falls farm.

“At a time when farmers are facing a ‘perfect storm of ugly’ with rising fertilizer costs and low commodity prices, which are continuing to erode farmers’ profitability, we should be increasing price transparency for farmers and improving domestic fertilizer production and storage here at home,” Sen. Klobuchar said. “My bipartisan bills will help stabilize fertilizer pricing, reduce supply chain disruptions and ensure farmers can access affordable fertilizer to keep feeding and fueling the world

Over the last year, IEEPA tariffs added nearly $1 billion in costs to critical inputs like fertilizers, seed, machinery, and chemicals. In 2025 alone, fertilizers like potash cost up to 20% more. Since the start of the war in Iran, fertilizer components like urea have spiked 25%. Ammonia, phosphate, sulfur and potassium have also risen sharply. Countries near the Strait of Hormuz account for nearly half of global urea and 30% of global ammonia exports used in nitrogen fertilizer supply chains.

As a nonpartisan organization, MSGA promotes policies by working across party lines to protect Minnesota’s nearly 26,000 soybean farmers, a mission Mackenthun said he’s proud to participate in.

“Moments like this remind me why staying involved matters,” Mackenthun said. “I’m grateful for the chance to represent our industry and speak up for the future of farming — something that’s supported my family for five generations.”

MSGA expresses its thanks to the Minnesota Corn Growers Association for inviting Mackenthun and Smentek to the meeting with Sen. Klobuchar.