Last week, the USDA released protections that indicate farm income will come in at $65.7 billion in 2018, a $9.8 billion, or 13% decrease from last year.  The National Farmers Union said the data shows that lawmakers and the Administration must act quickly on an updated Farm Bill.

 

“Many farm families are in significant financial stress right now," said NFU President Roger Johnson.  "They are burning through equity—farm income has been cut in half over the past five years, and a majority of family farmers are currently earning negative farm income.”

 

Johnson said with no signs off improvements in sight, the Agriculture community needs action, not words from Washington DC.

 

“They need a farm bill passed on time this year. They need strong, fair trade agreements, and they need long-term solutions to current trade market disruptions that are depressing farm prices even further.“

 

Johnson added the Trump administration and congressional leadership must right the wrongs of failed farm and trade policies, and provide necessary support before more family farmers and ranchers go out of business.

 

 

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