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Trade wars heighten uncertainty for agricultural exporters

Mar 7, 2025
As spring approaches, many farmers are unsure what crops they should plant and what the effect of tariffs could be.
Now that China has slapped retaliatory tariffs on export crops like soybeans, U.S. farmers may opt to plant alternatives.
Scott Olson/Getty Images

U.S. farmers face uncertainty from USAID foreign aid freeze

Feb 12, 2025
Much of the food distributed by USAID comes from small farms across the U.S.
Much of the food distributed by USAID comes from small farms across the U.S.
Joe Raedle/Getty Images

A global glut of soybeans has been pushing down prices

Nov 26, 2024
Soybean supplies are up because soybean production is up. And soybean production is up because of China's demand for it.
During the Trump administration, China imposed tariffs on U.S. soybean exports, leading it to buy more soybeans from other countries, like Brazil.
Scott Olson/Getty Images

Farmers were feeling the blues, but sentiment shifted in October

Nov 6, 2024
The Federal Reserve's easing of interest rates may be one factor that turned the mood around. Another could be the election.
A drop in interest rates is good news for farmers. Many rely on loans for their planting-season needs and can't pay them off until crops are sold.
Scott Olson/Getty Images

New York farmers often undercharge at markets. A new pricing report could help.

Oct 31, 2024
Researchers at Cornell University are putting together weekly pricing reports that will help farmers set prices for farmers markets.
Farmers line up along the edge of Ives Park in Potsdam, New York, for the Saturday farmers market. Brandy-View Farm is based in nearby Madrid, New York.
Catherine Wheeler/NCPR

Farmers push Congress for new farm bill

Sep 10, 2024
The farm bill’s current price thresholds don’t reflect higher production costs like gas, machinery and chemicals, all of which have gotten more expensive.
In many cases, commodity farmers will sell this year's harvest at a loss. Advocates say the current farm bill doesn't account for rising operational costs.
Patrick T. Fallon/AFP via Getty Images

Is the farm economy in a recession?

Sep 9, 2024
Purdue’s Farmer Sentiment Index hit an 8-year low in August.
Strong harvests and lower commodities prices haven't helped with farmers' glum moods right now.
Scott Olson/Getty Images

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America's farmers are getting older

Feb 20, 2024
The average age of farmers is increasing as young aspiring farmers face financial barrier to starting up.
Things like a shortage of child care, rural housing and the burden of student loans could be keeping younger people back from farming.
Brandon Bell/Getty Images

Farmers in Germany protest subsidy cuts with tractor blockades

Jan 9, 2024
Farmers across Germany are continuing a weeklong protest of the government's plan to revoke key economic and agricultural tax policies by blocking major roads and highways across the country.
Farmers use their tractors to block access to a train station on Jan. 8, in Halle, Saxony-Anhalt, Germany.
Craig Stennett/Getty Image

Federal Crop Insurance Program draws bipartisan criticism

Nov 17, 2023
Some farmers say their business models depend on the crop insurance and getting rid of the program would drive up food prices.
Mark, left, and Denny Wilson are co-owners of Wilson-Legacy Farms in Delaware. They say crop insurance is an important part of managing and stabilizing farm costs.
Maya Marchel Hoff/Marketplace