There was a 55% increase in Chapter 12 bankruptcy filings last year, according to Farm Bureau

Finances are still tight, and new data shows it has become dire for some operations.

Numbers from the Farm Bureau show 216 farms filed for Chapter 12 bankruptcy last year, which is a 55 percent increase from 2023. Despite the jump, that is still down from the nearly 600 filings back in 2019.

All regions saw a rise, but areas outside the contiguous U.S. saw their bankruptcies triple last year.

Click here to read the full report

Related Stories
Read the full press release published by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
A look at the legislative year ahead as lawmakers return to Washington with a slate of trade concerns to tackle in 2026—from new Chinese tariffs on beef imports to the USMCA review this summer.
Farmer Bridge Assistance payments provide immediate balance-sheet support heading into 2026, but remain a short-term bridge rather than a substitute for long-term market recovery.
The New Year is here, but in Oregon, some ranchers and livestock producers are still trying to recover from record wildfires back in 2024.

LATEST STORIES BY THIS AUTHOR:

Weather, Tight Supplies, and Planning Shape Farm Decisions
Cotton demand depends on demonstrating performance and reliability buyers can rely on, not messaging alone.
Lily Pryer’s passion shows how National FFA members are making an impact in classrooms and communities all across Rural America.
Shaun Haney, Host of RealAg Radio on Rural Radio SiriusXM Channel 147, joined us with his 2026 cattle market outlook and insights on beef prices.
The U.S. Forest Service takes us on the same journey from a tree farm in Nevada across America to experience the magic of Christmas in the U.S. Capitol.
Rep. Randy Feenstra, R-IA, details how the “One, Big, Beautiful Bill” Act (OBBBA) supports farmers, biofuels, and rural communities with tax breaks, crop insurance relief, and ag infrastructure.