The ag industry is a powerful economic driver and has seen strength in recent years.
New research shows the industry adds nearly $10 trillion to the economy annually, and while it is a stunning number, it is not as high as it once was.
New data was released this week from Feeding the Economy, a group of more than 30 ag groups, like the Farm Bureau and NASDA. This year’s report shows U.S. agriculture will add $9.5 trillion to the economy this year, along with 1,000,000 jobs. Last year the industry brought in $9.6 trillion.
Despite the decline, they found that agriculture has seen big growth since the pandemic, but they do remain cautious about continued pressure.
A big area of the report featured ag manufacturing. It shows jobs in that sector have fallen year over year, with around 30,000 jobs gone since 2020. The Association of Equipment Manufacturers joined us this week on Market Day Report, and they say they have seen sales numbers decline in recent months, and are urging lawmakers to take action, starting with a Farm Bill.
A disciplined, breakeven-based marketing plan helps protect margins and reduce risk, even when markets remain unpredictable.
January 15, 2026 10:58 AM
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Roger McEowen with the Washburn University School of Law joined us to provide legal analysis on key cases shaping the agricultural landscape heading into the year ahead.
January 14, 2026 01:49 PM
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RFD News correspondent Frank McCaffrey reports from Texas on the ongoing water dispute and its implications for U.S. farmers.
January 14, 2026 12:17 PM
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RealAg Radio host Shaun Haney discusses the latest developments in the Supreme Court, trade tariffs, and the future of the USMCA under President Donald Trump.
January 14, 2026 11:54 AM
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Freight volatility increasingly determines export margins, making logistics costs as important as price in marketing decisions.
January 14, 2026 06:00 AM
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Secretary Rollins also met with specialty crop producers at a local strawberry farm to discuss workforce needs and the Trump Administration’s recent wins related to significantly cutting the cost of H-2A labor for California farmers.
January 13, 2026 03:25 PM
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