Idaho Farmers Are Frustrated, Searle Says

For most farmers, and much of the ag economy, 2025 has been a challenging year.

Bryan Searle, President of the Idaho Farm Bureau Federation said a variety of issues, from commodity prices, to drought, to domestic issues are all making this a challenging climate for farmers.  But the top frustration he noted would be trade.

“Over the last several years here we went backwards in our trade deficit, just the imports coming into the nation has just increased significantly," he noted.  "We have to export, and we're not exporting.  We grow too much food, well certain foods, it depends on what it is.”

We Need Lawmakers To Help Us

Searle added most in farm country are not loving the tariffs and back and forth trade war, but he feels it must be done to ensure American farmers benefit from fair trade.  He said making this year especially frustrating is how many farmers feel like they have no control.

“We can't control the weather, we can't control Congress, as hard as we try.  We got a Farm Bill that's two year, two years over past due," Searle said.  " We're operating on such an outdated Farm Bill alone.  All the way across the board.  And every time it feels like you make a little progress, or you feel like we're going to get something.  The contention [kicks in] and it just becomes too political.”

Searle added lawmakers need to focus on making decisions, no matter how challenging, that are best for the American farmer and the American economy.

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