Most farm families are losing money on their operation and relying on off-farm incomes, according to expert

More than 70% of farm household income comes from off-farm sources, underscoring the essential role of additional outlets to help cope with market volatility and keep the operation viable.

AFBF Economist Danny Munch spoke with RFD-TV’s Jennifer Vickery Smith about the findings of their report, who is most reliant on off-farm income, and how we can better support U.S. ag.

Related Stories
Sen. Roger Marshall discusses the Senate’s unanimous passage of the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act and what expanded milk options could mean for students and dairy farmers. Industry groups say it is a win for student nutrition and dairy producers.
Supplemental Disaster Relief Program Stage Two will disburse around $16 billion, approved by Congress last year. Sign-ups begin Monday, and producers have until April to return applications.
An outbreak of Equine Herpesvirus Type 1 (EHV-1) first appeared after livestock events in Texas and Arizona, and some horses have already died.
Early Cattle-on-Feed estimates point to slightly tighter cattle supplies, reinforcing the need to monitor prices and timing for winter marketing.
Row crop losses in 2025 are outpacing last year. With no disaster aid yet approved, many operations face a tough financial bridge to 2026 even as Farm Bill improvements remain a year away.