WASHINGTON, D.C. (RFD-TV) — America’s farmers are running out of cushion. Rising costs, weaker commodity prices, and inconsistent policy signals are tightening margins across the countryside, says John Newton, Ph.D., vice president of public policy and economic analysis for the American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF).
Despite producing the food, fiber, and fuel that drive $6 trillion in economic activity and support one in five U.S. jobs, many family farms face mounting uncertainty — not from weather, but from economic and regulatory strain. Newton argues that rebuilding stability requires “a promise worth keeping”: clear, consistent policies that restore certainty to farm operations nationwide.
AFBF’s key priorities include fair, enforceable trade agreements that protect market access; expanded support for biofuels such as ethanol and sustainable aviation fuel; and restoring whole milk options in schools to strengthen nutrition and dairy demand.
Newton also highlights the need to safeguard interstate commerce from conflicting state-level mandates, investigate pricing imbalances in fertilizer and equipment markets, and prioritize American-grown fruits and vegetables in federal purchasing. Each measure, he says, helps rebuild a dependable marketplace for producers.
Agriculture’s partnership among growers, buyers, and policymakers must be renewed, Newton concludes. “Keeping farmers in business is not optional — it’s essential to America’s strength.”
Farm-Level Takeaway: The Farm Bureau urges trade enforcement, biofuel growth, fair input pricing, and pro-farmer policy reforms to restore long-term certainty.
Tony St. James, RFD-TV Markets Expert
Texas Ag Commissioner Sid Miller warns horse owners after EHV-1 cases linked to the Waco WPRA Finals. Horses linked to recent Waco events should be isolated and closely monitored, as early action is critical to stopping the spread of EHV-1.
November 24, 2025 02:47 PM
·
Farmers with unpaid Hansen-Mueller grain should verify delivery records immediately and file indemnity claims quickly, as coverage rules differ sharply by state.
November 24, 2025 02:32 PM
·
Farm legal expert Roger McEowen reviews the history of the Waters of the United States (WOTUS) rule and outlines how shifting definitions across multiple administrations have created regulatory confusion for landowners.
November 24, 2025 12:38 PM
·
Leslee Oden, president of the National Turkey Federation, and Jay Jandrain, CEO of Butterball, joined us in the studio on Monday to discuss the history, significance, and expectations surrounding this year’s presidential turkey pardon.
November 24, 2025 12:04 PM
·
According to November’s Cattle on Feed Report, Nebraska now leads the nation in cattle feeding as tighter supplies continue to reshape regional market power and long-term price dynamics.
November 24, 2025 11:47 AM
·
The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) estimates that the move will save farmers and ranchers $2.5 billion each year. The group warns that new methods for calculating the adverse-effect wage rate would result in lower pay for foreign workers.
November 24, 2025 11:32 AM
·
