AAI Signs Letter Urging Administration To Take Action On Fertilizer Supply Chain Issues

Last Friday, an industry letter led by the Agricultural Retailers Association (ARA) was sent to President Trump urging him to address fertilizer supply chain issues. The Agribusiness Association of Iowa was a signatory on this letter.

The letter highlighted the challenges facing ag retail as these businesses work to provide crop nutrients for their customers. With spring planting already starting in some areas of the U.S., retailers are experiencing the front-line impacts of geopolitical disruptions affecting fertilizer, fuel, and transportation markets. These disruptions are resulting in rising costs, uncertainty around product availability, transportation constraints, and significant pressure from farmer customers who rely on timely access to crop nutrients to protect yields and manage already thin margins. 

The letter provides a number of short-term and long-term actions that could be implemented to keep fertilizer and other essential crop inputs moving quickly and efficiently through global and domestic supply chains.

Read the full letter to the President

New Rules Take Effect For Non-Domiciled CDLs

On March 16, new non-domiciled Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) eligibility and issuance rules from the Federal Motor Carrier Administration went into effect. Non-domiciled CDL issuance is now subject to the following requirements:

• Only individuals in H2A (Temporary Agricultural Worker), H2B (Temporary Non-Agricultural Worker), and E2 (Treaty Investor) classifications will be eligible for a non-domiciled CDL. Mexican and Canadian drivers will remain ineligible for a non-domiciled CDL or CLP, regardless of their I94 classification or DACA status.

• Employment Authorization Documents (I766 or Employment Authorization Cards) can no longer be used for non-domiciled CDL issuance. Customers will need to present a valid, unexpired foreign passport along with an I94 showing a future “valid until” or “admitted until” date with one of the eligible classifications. All documents must be physically present at the time of service; the Iowa DOT cannot rely on anything previously submitted.

• Non-domicile CDLs will only be issued for a one-year validity period (or the length of authorized stay in the U.S., whichever is shorter).

Non-domiciled CDLs will be issued exclusively at Iowa DOT locations and not through county treasurer offices.

If you have questions or would like to review the federal guidance behind these changes, please refer to the Federal Register notice titled “Restoring Integrity to the Issuance of Non-Domiciled Commercial Drivers Licenses (CDL).” 

Stand Up 4 Grain Safety - March 30 to April 3

Stand Up 4 Grain Safety is a week dedicated to an industry-wide focus on safety and the hazards employees, contractors, and customers face every day. The 2026 event takes place the week of March 30 - April 3.

This year's theme is L.E.A.R.N., an acronym for Listen, Explain, Ask, Remember, Notify. Your business can participate by planning events that focus on the topics provided by StandUpForGrainSafety.org, or other topics that are relevant to your facilities. No matter how a business participates, using the opportunity to identify small changes at a workplace can make big impact in reducing hazards and improving safety.

Free virtual events are available each day of the week and can be used as part of Stand Up events at your facilities. Large companies, small facilities, feedlots, producers, breweries, mills, educators, and any businesses and/or individuals that use, store, handle or work around grain are encouraged to participate.

Working together we can ensure everyone goes home at the end of each work day.

Full information is available at StandUp4GrainSafety.org.