NASHVILLE, TENN. (RFD NEWS) — Small business optimism remained below average in April, and labor problems continue to weigh heavily on rural employers. The National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) says its Small Business Optimism Index rose slightly to 95.9, still below its 52-year average of 98.0.
Labor quality ranked as the top concern, cited by 18 percent of small business owners. In rural communities, that problem often comes down to numbers. There are fewer people in the local workforce, which means an even smaller pool of skilled workers for repair shops, feed stores, implement dealers, trucking companies, and service businesses.
Inflation is adding more pressure. NFIB says 30 percent of owners raised average selling prices in April, while 27 percent plan to raise prices over the next three months.
Expansion plans remain weak. Only seven percent of owners said April was a good time to expand, the lowest reading since October 2024. Supply chain disruptions affected 64 percent of businesses to some degree.
For farm country, that caution can mean higher costs, slower service, and less local investment.
Farm-Level Takeaway: Rural labor shortages and inflation can reach the farm in the form of higher prices, longer wait times, and tighter service capacity.
Tony St. James, RFD News Markets Specialist
Beef x Dairy cattle with strong genetics and documentation are earning prices comparable to native feeders.
January 29, 2026 08:00 AM
·
Reliable waterways lower costs, protect export demand, and support long-term farm profitability.
January 29, 2026 06:00 AM
·
Mixed product pricing and rising milk supplies suggest margin management will remain critical as 2026 unfolds.
January 28, 2026 06:00 AM
·
Marilyn Schlake with the UNL Department of Agricultural Economics joined us for a closer look at the evolving role of livestock sale barns.
January 27, 2026 12:19 PM
·
RFD NEWS correspondent Frank McCaffrey recently spoke with Dr. Mike Vickers, a South Texas rancher, who says illegal border crossings have dramatically declined in the last year.
January 27, 2026 11:51 AM
·
Placements and marketings beat expectations, but declining on-feed totals and feeder constraints keep the supply story supportive for cattle prices into 2026. Dr. Derrell Peel, with Oklahoma State University, joined us to break down cattle-on-feed numbers and provide his broader market outlook.
January 23, 2026 04:40 PM
·
