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
American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) economist Danny Munch explains how the Emergency Livestock Relief Program application process differs from other USDA aid programs.
According to the National Council of Farmers Cooperatives (NCFC), President and CEO Chuck Conner says, there is only one other option besides addressing ag labor shortages.
Sen. Roger Marshall, a founding member and chairman of the Make America Healthy Again caucus, joined us with his thoughts on the commission’s latest report and the key ag-related issues.
It’s been a decade since Hurricane Rita ripped through southwest Louisiana, and recovery has been a long, difficult process for many who have lived in the coastal area. Today, oyster farming offers a pearl of hope.
California rancher and former NCBA President Kevin Kester joined House Republicans on Tuesday to tout provisions in the Big, Beautiful Bill that support family ranches.
The EPA proposal laid out two options: fully reallocate all exempted volumes to the 2026–2027 standards, or reallocate half.