Ag lawmakers are making a vow to “protect and preserve” important services

Cuts are being made across the U.S. government. Lawmakers, like Senate Majority Leader John Thune, say the American people voted for change but note he and his colleagues will fight to keep necessary services running.

“It’s important that you don’t undermine important services. In many cases, as you point out, there are some that affect my state, and there are some that affect all of my colleagues’ states around the country. We will work with the administration as they move forward to ensure that important services that have to do with health and safety, for example, are protected and preserved.”

The Trump Administration hopes these cuts will bring government spending down, and in turn, help tame inflation. While it has only been one month since Trump took office, Administration officials say inflation will not go away overnight.

“We’re still going to see some memory of Biden’s inflation. It’s not going to go away in a month, but the 10-year treasury before the last consumer price index had dropped about 40 basis points; 40 basis points because markets were optimistic about our ability to fight inflation. 40 basis points is kind of not a fun thing to say. I was kind of taught that way I apologize, but the way to think about it is for a typical mortgage, if that affects the mortgage rate, then it’s going to save a typical family buying a house about $1,000 a year, and that’s just in our first month.”

The Consumer Price Index, along with the Producer Price Index, both came in hotter than expected this month. The next CPI report comes out March 12th.

Related Stories
Fertilizer investigation may impact input costs and margins.
The American Coalition for Ethanol reacts as the Farm Bill heads to a full House vote — while ethanol expansion, including year-round E15, is left out — as well as the USDA’s pursuit of global markets for ethanol.
Hurd joined this week’s Champions of Rural America to review the proposed Farm Bill moving through the House and discuss its potential impact on rural communities and farmers across the country.
Nutrition policy shifts may influence retail demand across agriculture.
Weak crop margins and tariff uncertainty are delaying machinery purchases and signaling slower capital investment across U.S. agriculture.
Farm Bureau Economist Dr. Faith Parum explains the role farm safety net programs play in supporting farm finances as growers head into the 2026 planting season.

LATEST STORIES BY THIS AUTHOR:

Global food prices rose slightly in the latest FAO Food Price Index as vegetable oils, cereals, and meat increased, offsetting declines in dairy and sugar.
University of Arkansas’ Allen Szalanski discusses a news study on rice stink bugs, what it could mean for farmers, and pest management strategies for the future.
Wed, 3/18/26 – 7:30 PM ET – Build better financial habits with tips from AARP
Valley Irrigation’s Darren Siekman explains the advantages of their new pivots for growers managing acreages of up to 60 acres.
ASFMRA’s George Baird shares insight on spring planting progress, acreage trends, and the financial factors influencing Mid-South farmers this season.