Prairie Public Broadcasting

Farmers frustrated with high fertilizer costs BISMARCK, ND (NDPR) - North Dakota farm leaders say they're frustrated with the sky-rocketing cost of fertilizer.

They want a federal investigation of what they see as price gouging.
Senator Byron Dorgan and a representative of the Federal Trade Commission met with the leaders in Bismarck -- to hear those concerns.

"You farm 35 years, finally make some money, and now the gouging starts," said Jim Dipeolder, who's with the US Durum Growers.

That sentiment was echoed by sunflower grower Tim DeKrey.

"It's a little frustrating to have made money for a couple of years, and just see the life getting sucked out of it," DeKrey said.

Dorgan says he shares those concerns.

"One would expect fertilizer prices to go up some, because of the price of oil and gas, and some of this is petroleum-based," said Dorgan. "That can't explain the dramatic price spikes, sometimes tripling and quadrupling the price for fertilizer."

Dorgan says he will follow up with the FTC when he's back in Washington.


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