Farmers warn lawmakers about the fragile state of the ag economy

“It really hamstrings our availability of financing to get loans when everything is costing 30-60% more.”

Farmers are on Capitol Hill this week, warning lawmakers about the state of the ag economy. Profits are tight, and one specialty crop grower warns it could significantly impact when he goes to the bank this year.

“The land cost, all of our input costs, the way they’ve escalated over the past 4-5 years has been nothing like I’ve ever seen before,” said Ryan Talley. “It really hamstrings our availability of financing to get loans when everything is costing 30-60% more. The available funds are no longer available.”

Prop-12 was also a big topic at the hearing.

Related Stories
Biofuel and corn producers await proposal as Renewable Fuels Association pushes for expanded ethanol access.
Lori Stevermer with the National Pork Producers Council reacts to the USDA’s speedline proposal, the new Farm Bill’s fix for California’s Prop-12, and other policy developments impacting the pork industry.
South Texas farmers say water shortages continue despite Mexico’s renewed payments under the 1944 Water Treaty.
Red Flag Warning in effect as high winds fuel fast-moving blaze across Oklahoma, Kansas, and Texas
Bayer’s Monsanto announces $7.25B class settlement for Roundup™ lawsuits alleging Non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL), covering claims over 21 years.
Investigations are now ongoing following a massive explosion and fire at the Koch Foods poultry plant in Fairfield, Ohio, which claimed one life and injured at least three other workers at the plant.

LATEST STORIES BY THIS AUTHOR:

RealAg Radio host Shaun Haney says farmers there are already sounding the alarm about what this could mean for the future of ag research.
Global pork production is expected to rise in the first half of 2026, despite trade volatility stemming from shifting import policies and swine disease pressures.
Clear right-to-repair guidance reduces downtime, repair costs, and operational risk.
Tennessee State Veterinarian Dr. Samantha Batey joined us with the latest on biosecurity efforts and the state’s new “Know Before You Show” initiative.
Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller discusses the state’s latest efforts to prevent the New World screwworm from reaching Texas.
Economists are also closely watching how policy decisions in Washington could influence markets moving forward. Analysts say deferred futures for corn, soybeans, and wheat suggest markets are operating near break-even levels, not at prices that would encourage expanded production.