Farm leaders warn rising costs and trade issues are squeezing American agriculture
LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) — Rising production costs, lower commodity prices and ongoing trade pressures are putting growing financial strain on America’s farmers, prompting national farm leaders to call the moment critical for agriculture.
Farm groups say many producers are paying significantly more for seed, fertilizer, fuel and equipment while earning less for their crops and some livestock, including hogs.
That imbalance is squeezing profit margins and making it harder for family farms to plan for the future.
Farmers in Nebraska report daily pressure, even as they search for ways to stay afloat.
“Farming supports every person in this country, and it should not be a political divide,” said Paula Petersen, a Nebraska farmer. “This affects everyone.”
National agricultural leaders warn that rising input costs have outpaced market prices for many commodities, leaving farmers vulnerable to losses after months of work and investment.
“We’ve been doing this for a long time,” Petersen said. “There are always opportunities that take time to get through. This is one of the challenging times right now, but we farm for the long haul.”
The financial gap, farm leaders say, is pushing some operations to the brink, particularly smaller family farms that lack the flexibility to absorb prolonged losses.
As a result, concerns are reaching Washington, where agricultural organizations are urging lawmakers to take action to stabilize farm income and protect the nation’s food supply.
Trade policy remains a major concern. Farmers say tariffs have raised the cost of imported inputs while limiting access to foreign markets for U.S. crops.
“Tariffs hurt you on both sides,” Petersen said. “We’re paying higher prices for the resources we need to grow our crops, and we’re losing export support because other countries are looking for alternatives.”
Back home, the stress is extending beyond the fields. Farmers say the financial uncertainty is affecting families and rural communities that depend on agriculture for jobs and economic stability.
Some producers say they face criticism for growing large amounts of corn and soybeans, but argue exports are essential to sustaining their operations.
“We really need those trade partnerships,” Petersen said. “We can grow things that some countries just can’t.”
Despite the challenges, many farmers say optimism remains part of the job. Producers are looking for ways to cut costs, diversify crops and rely on community support to weather the downturn.
“Farmers are eternal optimists,” Petersen said. “Every year we go into planting and harvesting knowing there’s an unknown.”
