The agricultural sector relies heavily on affordable energy — especially petroleum-based energy — to stay competitive. The cost of crude oil and natural gas directly impact a farmer’s ability to maintain a healthy bottom line, driving the price of necessary expenditures like diesel fuel, irrigation, fertilizer and lubricants.

In addition to these direct ties, the agricultural sector — especially in the Upper Midwest — has perhaps an even stronger financial interest in the policies that determine the path forward for our nation’s energy sector: shipping costs.