¶ Overview
Pete Ricketts claims he is sympathetic to the financial plight of Nebraska farmers, who are currently facing higher fertilizer costs due to the war in Iran. He even touted a Department of Justice probe investigating anti-competitive practices in the fertilizer industry. Yet, in the past three years, Ricketts has accepted tens of thousands of dollars in donations from the very fertilizer companies currently under DOJ investigation for price-fixing. Ricketts talks a big game about helping farmers, but when Big Ag sends a check, vulnerable Nebraska farmers fall by the wayside.
¶ Ricketts Highlighted The DOJ Fertilizer Price-Fixing Probe When Speaking To Farmers’ Concerns
¶ Ricketts Acknowledged High Fertilizer Costs And Pointed To The DOJ’s Probe On Price-Fixing
Ricketts Acknowledged High Fertilizer Costs And Pointed To The DOJ’s Probe On Price-Fixing. According to Norfolk Daily News, “Agriculture dominated much of the discussion as multiple callers asked about fertilizer prices, cattle producers and the upcoming farm bill. […] Asked specifically about fertilizer prices, Ricketts said global instability, particularly involving Iran, has contributed to higher costs while noting the U.S. Department of Justice is examining possible anti-competitive practices within the industry. ‘We’ve got to get these fertilizer prices down,’ he said.” [Norfolk Daily News, 8/4/26]
¶ The DOJ Had Opened A Price-Fixing Investigation Into Fertilizer Companies Including Koch Inc. And Nutrien Ltd.
The DOJ Had Opened A Price-Fixing Investigation Into Nutrien Ltd., Mosaic Co., CF Industries Holdings Inc., Koch Inc., And Yara International ASA. According to Bloomberg, “The Justice Department has been investigating whether several leading producers of commercial fertilizers colluded to raise prices, according to people familiar with the matter. The companies whose conduct is under scrutiny include phosphate and potash suppliers Nutrien Ltd. and Mosaic Co., as well as CF Industries Holdings Inc., Koch Inc. and Norway’s Yara International ASA, said the people, who asked not to be identified discussing a confidential investigation. CF Industries, Koch, Yara and Nutrien control most of the nitrogen-based fertilizer sold in the US.” [Bloomberg, 3/4/26]
¶ Ricketts Admitted The War In Iran Was Hiking Fertilizer Prices
Ricketts Admitted The War In Iran Was Hiking Fertilizer Prices. According to Nebraska Public Media, “U.S. Sen. Pete Ricketts acknowledged the economic effects of the conflict during a Wednesday call with reporters, saying Iran's attacks in the Strait of Hormuz are holding up oil shipments, and that urea, a key component of fertilizer, is also being disrupted, resulting in higher prices for farmers.” [Nebraska Public Media, 3/12/26]
Ricketts Tied Instability In The Middle East To Higher Fertilizer Costs. According to Sandhillls Express, “Nebraska U.S. Senator Pete Ricketts discussed a number of issues affecting Nebraska farmers, ranchers and rural communities during an interview with KCNI/KBBN Radio this past Wednesday. Ricketts said agriculture remains under pressure, particularly for row-crop producers who are facing lower commodity prices along with high input costs. He also pointed to higher diesel and fertilizer costs associated with instability in the Middle East.” [Sandhills Express, 8/8/26]
¶ Ricketts And His Leadership PAC Took Thousands In Donations From The Corporate PACS For Koch Inc. And Nutrien Ltd., Fertilizer Companies Under DOJ Investigation
¶ Koch Inc.’s Corporate PAC Donated $37,500 To Ricketts
Ricketts' Leadership PAC Accepted $20,000 From Koch's Corporate PAC In Four Installments, With The Most Recent Coming After The DOJ Probe Became Public. [FEC, American Excellence PAC, 8/12/26]
Ricketts' Senate Campaign Separately Accepted $17,500 More From The Same Koch PAC, In Six Installments, With The Most Recent Following The Announcement Of The DOJ Probe. [FEC, Pete Ricketts for Senate, 8/12/26]
¶ Koch Industry Employees Also Gave Thousands To The Ricketts Campaign
Individual Donors Who Listed Koch Industries As Their Employer Gave Ricketts' Campaign $9,100 During The 2024 Cycle. [FEC, Pete Ricketts For Senate, 8/12/26]
¶ Nutrien Ltd.’s Corporate PAC Donated $10,000 To Ricketts
Nutrien's Corporate PAC Also Gave The Ricketts Campaign $10,000 Over Four Installments. [FEC, Pete Ricketts For Senate, 8/12/26]
