It's a tough autumn for US farmers 🍂! As the harvest rolls in, they're getting walloped by a federal government shutdown and a wave of tariffs that have already shaken up global markets. Here's the scoop on how these two forces are teaming up to create a perfect storm on the fields.
First, the shutdown. On Wednesday, the US federal government hit pause, furloughing nearly half of the US Department of Agriculture's 85,000-plus staff. That means billions in disaster aid are stuck in limbo, and new farm loan applications are on hold. Arkansas sheep farmer Tim Wells said the delays hit hard: it takes so much just to operate, and nobody can afford to wait.
The timing couldn't be worse. Farmers are already battling falling crop prices—thanks in part to a record corn harvest—while costs for seeds and fertilizers keep climbing. Meanwhile, international buyers have been shopping elsewhere because of trade tensions, leaving US growers searching for new customers like explorers on a treasure hunt gone cold 🗺️.
On top of that, tariffs continue to squeeze profits. Gary Wertish, president of the Minnesota Farmers Union, called it a two-punch situation in a CBS interview, saying it's pushing more farmers into financial distress. Under Minnesota's mediation law, lenders now see more requests to step in before foreclosures—so far, more than in all of 2023 and 2024 combined.
With harvest season in full swing, farmers need support—not delays. As they navigate rising debts and uncertain markets, every seed and every dollar counts more than ever 🚜💪.
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US agriculture takes a double punch from shutdown and tariffs
cgtn.com
