A House Ag ranking member says that farmers in her home state of Minnesota claim that Farm Service Agency officers are way understaffed.
More than 1,000 FSA staffers reportedly took the government buyout option.
Congresswoman Angie Craig explains what farmers are telling her.
“I had a group in my office yesterday telling me there’s literally half a PTO, half a person, half-time at one of those offices. I think when farmers are coming through my office and telling me they can’t get the work done at their local community level, I think that the cuts have gone through the bone.”
FSA offices play a key role in providing technical help to farmers serving loans.
Ag Secretary Brooke Rollins says that she has signed a memorandum to ensure they are fully staffed, including rehiring some officers who were let go.
Congresswoman Craig argues the administration is moving too fast to downsize the government.
“If you’re going to support family farmers, you’ve got to support them with good policy. You’ve got to support them with technical assistance. You need to keep these local offices open, and look, this is what happens when you don’t measure twice and cut once.”
Some 15,000 USDA employees have accepted deferred resignations, all part of the Trump administration’s plan to downsize and reform government agencies.
The Farm Bureau is making an urgent call to Congress for more farm support. Colton Lacina with Farmers National Company joined us to discuss farmland values and how market dynamics for the year ahead reflect stabilization rather than collapse.
January 21, 2026 12:30 PM
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Analysts say a Supreme Court decision on tariffs could reshape protein markets, strain U.S.-China trade, and force farmers to rethink global demand strategies.
January 21, 2026 12:03 PM
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Wayne Cockrell with the Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association joined us to discuss preparedness, producer awareness, and the industry’s response to New World screwworm concerns.
January 21, 2026 12:00 PM
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President Donald Trump speaks at the World Economic Forum in Davos, addressing SNAP spending, tariff threats against Europe, market reactions, and the upcoming USMCA review.
January 21, 2026 11:50 AM
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Despite rising costs and growing food insecurity, meat demand remained strong in 2025 as higher-income consumers offset cutbacks elsewhere. Economists break down the K-shaped economy, upcoming USDA cattle reports, livestock production outlooks, and renewed debate over beef imports and country-of-origin labeling heading into 2026.
January 20, 2026 02:47 PM
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Corn growers are turning to ethanol, E15 expansion, and export markets to help absorb record supplies and stabilize prices. Farm leaders discuss low-carbon ethanol demand, flex-fuel vehicle challenges, input costs, and the role of USMCA as producers look for market relief in the year ahead.
January 20, 2026 02:04 PM
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