Overnight, a judge cleared the way for federal workers to take President Trump’s buyout offer. So far, more than 80,000 federal employees have signed up.
Some people have had concerns about how this might impact USDA. We are not sure how many of those employees have taken the buyout.
Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley told us his office has taken hundreds of calls since the offer was made.
Related Stories
Lawmakers are pressing for answers on how Washington’s “managed trade” approach — keeping leverage through long-term tariffs — will affect farmers, global markets, and future export opportunities.
In the meantime, Senate Majority Leader John Thune is asking that farmers be allowed to use marketing assistance loans to help stay afloat.
Beef industry groups seem to agree — market-based pricing, not federal intervention, best supports rancher livelihoods and long-term beef supply stability.
Cattle groups say additional imports would offer little relief for consumers but could erode rancher confidence as the industry begins to rebuild herds.
Understanding how these tax provisions interact will be key for farmers planning long-term equipment purchases or transfers within the family.
The government shutdown has touched nearly every sector of the ag industry since it began, and now impacts are spilling over into dairy.
