NFU Pushes Lawmakers to Deliver Relief to Family Farms

National Farmers Union (NFU) President Rob Larew discusses the urgent need for aid as farm families face mounting input costs and long-term market uncertainty.

WASHINGTON (RFD-TV) — The Farmers Business Network (FBN) annual Crop Protection Market Report reveals that uncertainty across the agricultural economy is expected to continue well into next year, with tariffs creating new challenges for farmers purchasing fertilizer and other key inputs.

Leaders with the organization note that the landscape heading into 2026 will look much different from what it did at the start of this year.

At the same time, the National Farmers Union (NFU) is calling for immediate economic relief for producers. The group has sent letters to both the White House and Congress, urging swift action to offset the negative impacts of recent trade policies on farmers and ranchers.

NFU President Rob Larew joined us on Friday’s Market Day Report to discuss the urgency of providing assistance as many producers face mounting input costs and market uncertainty.

In his interview with RFD-TV News, Larew outlined the organization’s three key principles to ensure any aid package offers meaningful, long-term relief and supports the resilience of family farms. He also addressed the ongoing decline in the number of U.S. farms, noting that while direct relief is needed, a more sustainable, long-term solution for agricultural trade and market access remains essential.

According to Larew, the organization is awaiting a response from federal leaders and hopes meaningful relief will follow once the government shutdown is resolved.

Related Stories
EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin, in consultation with the U.S. Department of Energy and under the Clean Air Act, approved the temporary measure to help stabilize fuel supplies and reduce costs for consumers.
As farmers and ranchers navigate rising input costs, lawmakers are considering a roughly $15 billion aid package to help, which would be tied to the spending bill for the war with Iran.
After devastating wildfires swept through Nebraska, Sen. Deb Fischer is championing a bill to expedite the relief process for farmers and ranchers. She joins us with updates on recovery efforts, conditions on the ground, and how the ag community has stepped up to help.
Lower costs improve competitiveness, but demand remains uncertain.
Policy clarity will determine the trajectory of soybean crush demand, but producers in Kansas have shown that expanding local crush capacity strengthens basis and marketing options.
The Mengel Dairy Farms case is a sobering reminder that “having insurance” is not the same as “having protection.”

LATEST STORIES BY THIS AUTHOR:

Kentucky Firefighters Jonathan and Lonny Epley and Extension Agent Leann Martin tell us about a new portable grain bin rescue tool, and its potential to enhance safety for farmers and first responders nationwide.
Tennessee Ag in focus: Commissioner Holt shares his farm economy outlook, the TNFB honors a cotton legacy, and TN 4-H and FFA leaders discuss support for the next generation of agriculture in Tennessee.
F-10 Wound Spray can now be used for livestock and other animals as officials monitor the ongoing New World Screwworm outbreak in Mexico.
China’s stricter inspection rules prompt Cargill to pause soybean exports from Brazil, briefly lifting U.S. soybean prices as traders anticipate potential shifts in global trade, as export demand remains supportive across all major U.S. commodities.
Suderman joins Tony St. James in the RFD Studios to discuss how geopolitical tensions are triggering global transport disruptions, new inflation pressures, and other challenges for agriculture to navigate.
Severe drought in South Texas is forcing ranchers to consider cattle sell-offs as feed and water supplies dwindle, threatening herd health and livestock operations.