Farmer Frustrations Voiced at Commodity Classic

Farmers are facing high input costs, trade uncertainty, and surging grain production.  Ag Secretary Brooke Rollins spoke directly about those challenges during the recent Commodity Classic in San Antonio, TX.  The Secretary told attendees in her home state that between 2020 and 2024, fuel costs increased 33%, seed costs were up 19%, fertilizer prices rose by 48%, labor was up 44%, and interest expenses were up 71%.

“We’re seven years out from the last farm bill and all of this information we’re trying to work with is so outdated,” said Jed Bower, president of the National Corn Growers Association, to AgWeb. “Our costs are so different that we have to get something done. It’s like they’ve forgotten about rural America.”  

Chris Clayton of DTN/The Progressive Farmer reported that there were some angry conversations between farm leaders and representatives of major seed, fertilizer, machinery, and chemical companies during the opening day of the Commodity Classic.

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