From Monopoly to Trade: Lawmakers heard farmers’ major concerns for this year

Ag lawmakers this year are looking for ways to increase market access for U.S. farmers and ranchers. It was a big topic at a recent Senate Ag Committee hearing.

Senator Roger Marshall (R-KS) was there and said farmers shared some big concerns.

“One of the speakers talked about how farmers sell to a monopoly, that there are three or four places you can sell,” Sen. Marshall explains. “So what can we do to expand farmers, and the different markets that they can reach? Then, of course, we got to talk about trade, and certainly, we’re grateful for the past trade agreements President Trump got done. USMCA, South Korea, and Japan seem like I’m missing one or two of them. Joe Biden didn’t do any new trade. So, for four years, we’ve been idle, and we’re looking forward to President Trump hopping back in there and doing some strong bilateral trading agreements.”

Trade will be a big topic in the coming weeks. Tariffs with Canada and Mexico are on hold for one month as the two countries work out details. So far, both countries have made concessions to keep the extra duties at bay.

Related Stories
A new study found that retaining the EPA’s half-RIN credit protects soybean demand, farm income, and crushing-sector strength while preserving biofuel market flexibility.
Rising federal debt is increasing pressure on Washington to limit spending, which could tighten future funding and delivery for agricultural programs.
Western Caucus member Rep. Bruce Westerman (R-AR) details the SPEED Act on Champions of Rural America. The legislation aims to reform NEPA, streamline permitting, and expand domestic energy development.
“I’m not sure where this bridge goes,” trader Brady Huck with Advanced Trading told RFD-TV News earlier this week.
Plan for sharp, short-term volatility after unexpected outages; permanent closures rarely trigger major price spread disruptions.
The specific provision in the CO₂ storage law allowed the North Dakota Industrial Commission (NDIC) to authorize carbon storage projects to proceed even if they lacked unanimous consent from all affected landowners.

LATEST STORIES BY THIS AUTHOR:

Higher rail tariffs and tighter Canadian supplies will keep oat transportation costs firm into 2026.
These “USDA Foods” are provided to USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) nutrition assistance programs, including food banks that operate The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP), and are a vital component of the nation’s food safety net.
Tyson’s closure reflects deep supply shortages in the U.S. cattle industry, tightening packing capacity, weakening competition, and signaling more volatility ahead for cow-calf producers and feedyards.
Gary Hall, co-founder of Hollywood Impact Studios Rehabilitation, joined the program to discuss using agriculture to provide opportunities and mentorship for at-risk youth in Southern California.
The agriculture workforce remains strong and diverse, offering meaningful pathways for students pursuing careers that support the food and farm economy.