Welcome to the weekly Aggie Hot Takes: the top events driving the conversation in agriculture policy and what it means for you and your business. As I start this newsletter, let me know your thoughts for content. Want more details or have questions? Get in touch!
- Farm leaders tell Ag Committee Senators they need a farm bill this year. Commodity crop leaders shared their preference for a full farm bill (no more extensions) and a preservation of the historical political coalition (ag, nutrition, conservation) to get the farm bill over the finish line. Senators expressed concern over dropping farm income, high input costs and labor shortages. Note: they only have control over the first two - not labor.
- Farmer income expected to rise in 2025. This is good news except the rise in income is primarily due to government payments and NOT market conditions. It's not clear if one-time payments can keep an industry afloat if Congress doesn't get a farm bill done in 2025.
- Payment freeze at USDA - pause or permanent? President Trump's federal payment freeze is hitting rural America, but many producers worry that they won't be reimbursed for money already spent and that contracts will be cancelled. Farmers, organizations and other entities who relied on their contracts with USDA may face financial ruin if these issues are not resolved quickly. How much will this affect the rural and farm economy at a time of already dire economic uncertainty?
