Current conditions are sending ripples through the ag economy.
MSN found when harvest is complete this year, nearly 150,000 farms will close. Looking back to the 1950s, more than 60 percent of all U.S. farms have stopped producing, with the number of acres dropping by more than 320 million.
Leaders at American Farmers and Ranchers say everytime the ag economy hits one of these cycles, more family farms begin to disappear.
Related Stories
Dr. Gary Schnitkey from the University of Illinois discusses farmers’ sentiment toward industry consolidation, especially in the fertilizer sector, where costs remain historically high.
The dairy industry is encouraged by potential H-2A reforms while supporting renewal of the USMCA.
University of Nebraska–Lincoln Extension is helping ranchers navigate grazing and herd management strategies.
Experts note that economic growth, fuel demand, and energy diversification are opening new opportunities for U.S. grain and ethanol exports in Southeast Asia.
The Potter Valley Project has provided irrigation water and hydroelectric power for over 100 years in Northern California, serving agriculture and municipal users.
The USDA’s new cotton initiative comes as policymakers continue to focus on stabilizing farm income across major row crops while balancing export exposure with domestic supply chain resilience.
