WASHINGTON, DC (RFD-TV) — The Federal Reserve lowered its benchmark interest rate by a quarter-point on September 17, the first cut of 2025. Chair Jerome Powell said the move was a “risk management” step to support the labor market while inflation remains above target. The Fed also raised its 2026 inflation outlook, signaling persistent cost pressures across the economy.
For agriculture, the modest cut should slightly reduce borrowing costs on operating loans, land notes, and equipment financing, giving some relief to producers under heavy debt loads. At the same time, input costs for fuel, fertilizer, and labor remain elevated, limiting overall margin gains. A softer U.S. dollar could lend support to farm exports, but trade demand remains the dominant driver for prices.
Tony’s Farm-Level Takeaway: The Fed’s rate cut offers limited relief for farm credit costs, but persistent inflation keeps input prices high. Farmers may find refinancing opportunities, though cash-flow discipline remains critical.
With today’s post, RFD-TV Ag Legal & Tax Expert Roger McEowen focuses on some more common issues farmers, ranchers, and rural landowners frequently face.
Roger McOwen started a new farm law and taxation blog that contains a “Rural Practice Digest.” You can access it through a subscription to his new Substack blog. Find the link here.
The topics in ag law and tax are diverse. There’s never a dull moment. For now, here’s a selection of various ag law topics from RFD-TV Agricultural Law & Tax expert Roger McEowen.
The new approach to animal identification in the cattle industry—that’s the topic of this Firm to Farm blog post by RFD-TV agri-legal expert Roger McEowen with the Washburn School of Law.
From the U.S. Supreme Court down to local jurisdictions, the current developments just keep on rolling in agricultural law and taxation. Here are some recent developments.
One drawback of co-equal ownership in estate planning is the right of partition of a co-owner. That’s a particularly acute problem when parents have both on-farm and off-farm heirs.
April 18, 2024 10:38 AM
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A family settlement agreement is one method to resolve financial conflicts among family members over assets—if executed properly, that is.
April 07, 2024 11:29 AM
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In this
Firm to Farm blog post, RFD-TV agri-legal expert Roger McEowen tackles a handful of topics related to property rights.
April 01, 2024 01:55 PM
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What is “gross income from farming” for purposes of Chapter 12 (farm) bankruptcy – that is the topic of today’s
Firm to Farm blog post by Roger McEowen.
March 12, 2024 11:34 AM
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