Farmers and ranchers are keeping an eye on Washington DC, as a government shutdown looms

“Farmers want to feed people. They want to keep farming. They’re counting on Congress to live up to its obligations.”

Washington is inching closer and closer to a partial government shutdown.

Senate Democrats have said that they will filibuster the Continuing Resolution passed by the House this week.
The American Farm Bureau says that it is counting on lawmakers to make fiscally responsible decisions.

According to AFBF’s Emily Buckman, “If a funding bill is not passed by the end of the week, then the government will go into a shutdown. From our perspective, farmers want to feed people. They want to keep farming. They’re counting on Congress to live up to its obligations. Ensure that government programs, permits, and loans that farmers rely on are available. A shutdown is not good for anyone, and Congress should work together to pass legislation that ensures that there is some certainty moving forward.”

If no progress is made in the next day, a partial shutdown would happen late Friday night. The Farm Bureau explains the impact on farmers and ranchers.

“Farmers will not be able to take out loans, including mortgage loans, crop loans, which help them pay for expenses to grow next year’s crops. A shutdown would impact disaster payments. It would halt new signups for several conservation programs. Again, a government shutdown is not beneficial to anyone, and we hope that Congress can come together and get a bill passed before the 14th hits.”

The Continuing Resolution passed by the House this week keeps spending levels mostly the same and funds the government through September.

Related Stories
Cattle placements fell 9% in August, while New Mexico joined USDA’s meat inspection program, potentially expanding processing options for livestock producers.
Nearly 30 million additional acres will enter the safety net beginning with the 2026 crop year.
The Brooksher family says it is the best corn crop they have ever seen. But even a bumper harvest comes with challenges, as higher fuel and input costs squeeze profit margins.
More than 1,500 farm emergency kits have been provided to dairy farmers across the Southeast.
Farm Bureau says development, high land values, and farm economics are putting pressure on U.S. farmland as farm numbers and acres decline.
Drought and extreme heat are hurting Oklahoma cotton, with 55% of the crop rated in the worst condition category.