Fertilizer Prices Significantly Higher After Attack on Iran

The now closed Strait of Hormuz (hor-MOOZ) moves about 20 million barrels of crude oil and petroleum products daily, totaling about 20 percent of global demand. DTN reports that fertilizer exports also move through the Strait, including about a quarter of the globally traded nitrogen market. Politico said the White House will offer naval escorts and political risk insurance for oil and gas tankers traveling through the Strait of Hormuz in a bid to slow down a surge in energy prices after Iran warned it will attack ships at a choke point in the Strait. “The announcement brought some immediate relief to the overheated crude oil market,” Politico reported. In a Truth Social post, President Trump said he’s ordered the U.S. Development Finance Corporation to provide risk insurance and guarantees for the financial security of all maritime trade, especially energy. “If necessary, the U.S. Navy will begin escorting tankers through the Strait of Hormuz,” Trump added.

Syngenta to Cease Paraquat Production

Syngenta announced it will end production of the herbicide paraquat by the end of June. The decision reflects significant competition from generic producers around the world, which has eroded Syngenta’s competitiveness in producing the herbicide. Paraquat is highly effective in controlling weeds and enables agricultural conservation practices like no-till farming, remaining an essential part of the farming toolbox for many growers. First brought to market by Syngenta over sixty years ago, paraquat is today a generic herbicide that’s registered for sale by more than 750 companies. The company only sells the herbicide in a few markets around the world, and it accounts for less than one percent of Syngenta’s global sales. “The decision is only about focusing our resources where they deliver the greatest value for our businesses and customers,” said Mike Hollands, the Head of Syngenta Global Production and Supply. 

Farmers Increasingly Rejecting Data Center Bids for Land

The tech industry’s relentless push for data centers in rural areas is colliding head-on with farmers, who see the projects as a threat to their way of life. Politico said the issue is drawing vocal criticism from conservative candidates for political office and fueling unrest in Republican primaries. Data center supporters are looking at vast parts of the nation’s farmland as excellent sites for the sprawling server-packed facilities they need to support the White House goal of making the U.S. the dominant force in developing artificial intelligence. “Farmers and some of the Republicans vying to represent them say that supporting these projects sends the wrong message when deep-red rural America is being hurt by the president’s tariff agenda and the high cost of living,” Politico reported. Data centers target rural areas because, like farms, they require a lot of land and access to substantial water and electricity supplies.

NACD Applauds “One Farmer, One File” Initiative

The National Association of Conservation Districts applauded the USDA’s launch of the “One Farmer, One File” initiative, which is designed to streamline producer interactions across USDA agencies and reduce the administrative burdens on farmers and ranchers. It’s designed to combine records across USDA, creating a single, streamlined file that follows producers throughout their participation in USDA programs. “Conservation districts work hand-in-hand with producers every day to put conservation on the ground,” said NACD President Gary Blair. “When application processes are simpler, and records are unified, farmers and ranchers can spend less time on paperwork and more time implementing conservation systems that protect soil, water, air, and wildlife.” Streamlined data systems will help conservation districts enhance collaboration and allow conservation planners to more efficiently develop and implement conservation plans tailored to producers’ operations. 

The Angus Foundation to Award Five Student Scholarships

As the next generation of cattlemen and women prepare to lead the industry forward, the Angus Foundation is providing support through its Commercial Cattlemen Scholarship Program. This spring, five students will receive scholarships to help further their education and enhance their careers in agriculture. The scholarships are awarded to those who use Angus genetics in their commercial cattle operations and must be pursuing an undergraduate degree or enrolled in a vocational program at an accredited institution of higher education. “The scholarship program is designed to support students with a commercial cattle background in the beef industry,” said Jaclyn Boester, executive director of the Angus Foundation. “Supporting youth in their education is an important part of the Foundation’s mission.” Since 1988, the Foundation has awarded over $5 million in undergraduate and graduate scholarships. For more information on the scholarships, go to angus.org/foundation. 

Dairy Checkoff Launches “Dairy Does More”

The dairy checkoff has unveiled “Dairy Does More,” a national marketing platform to help grow demand by reshaping how consumers think about dairy foods. Developed by Dairy Management Inc., the initiative brings to life the “Undeniably Dairy” brand in a contemporary way and reflects a long-term strategy to strengthen dairy’s role in modern lifestyles. DMI said the idea is about unlocking new growth by helping consumers see dairy products of all kinds in a whole new light. “Consumers often put food into boxes,” said Aris Georgiadis, senior vice president of marketing communications. “Milk is for kids, yogurt is for breakfast, and cheese is for dinner, but it’s our job to break those patterns.” Dairy Does More launched March 2 and will be supported by three 30-second digital video spots, social media activations, and in-market programs. State and regional checkoff teams will have opportunities to leverage campaign elements in their social and marketplace programs. 

Thursday Watch List

Markets

USDA will lead things off on Thursday with the weekly Export Sales report at 7:30 a.m. CST. At the same time, Statistics Canada will release their Principal Field Crop Area estimates ahead of the spring planting season.

Weather

A disturbance continues to produce areas of heavy rain in the Ohio Valley on Thursday, but flooding has also been a problem in this area this week. Reductions in drought are occurring, though. Another system in the West will move into the Plains later Thursday and produce areas of showers and thunderstorms. Some of the thunderstorms could be severe across the Central and Southern Plains with all hazards being possible.