NASHVILLE, Tenn. (RFD-TV) — The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) reduced its 2025 Farm Income Forecast to $179.8 billion, down slightly from February’s $180.1 billion projection. Despite the adjustment, net farm income is still projected to rise nearly 40 percent compared to 2024, largely due to stronger livestock markets and a surge in government payments.
AgAmerica Lending notes that direct government payments are forecast at $40.5 billion, a 356 percent increase from last year, primarily tied to disaster aid and new farm program funding.
Crop markets remain under pressure, however, with receipts for corn, soybeans, and wheat expected to decline. In contrast, receipts for cattle, hogs, and poultry are forecast to be higher on tighter herds and stronger demand.
Rising production expenses remain a concern, with labor and livestock costs climbing even as feed, fuel, and pesticide expenses ease. Farm debt is also forecast to increase to $592 billion, but asset values—especially farmland—continue to support balance sheets. While the short-term outlook is positive, analysts stress that volatility in trade and interest rates could pressure farm finances in the longer term.
Tony’s Farm-Level Takeaway: Livestock and government payments provide a boost, but crop receipts and rising expenses continue to put pressure on margins. Strong financial planning remains key in a volatile environment.
U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced the USDA will help dairy producers dealing with High-Path Avian Flu (HPAI) H5N1 outbreaks in their herds.
Since the Tennessee Main Street program’s inception in 2010, 78 rural commercial districts have been improved. These 12 new additions bring that total number up to 90.
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One drawback of co-equal ownership in estate planning is the right of partition of a co-owner. That’s a particularly acute problem when parents have both on-farm and off-farm heirs.
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A family settlement agreement is one method to resolve financial conflicts among family members over assets—if executed properly, that is.
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In this
Firm to Farm blog post, RFD-TV agri-legal expert Roger McEowen tackles a handful of topics related to property rights.
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What is “gross income from farming” for purposes of Chapter 12 (farm) bankruptcy – that is the topic of today’s
Firm to Farm blog post by Roger McEowen.
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In today’s Firm to Farm blog post, Roger McOwen breaks down the Court’s regulations on unconstitutional federal power and the ruling’s impact on BOI reporting.
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The topic of this Firm to Farm blog post by RFD-TV agri-legal expert Roger McEowen is a potpourri of legal issues facing farmers and ranchers—farm bankruptcy, sovereign immunity, farm leases, and pipeline damages.
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On January 31, the U.S. House overwhelmingly passed tax legislation containing provisions of importance to farmers and ranchers in particular and many taxpayers in general.
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