Today American Farm Bureau (AFBF) President Zippy Duvall presented testimony on the state of American agriculture before the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry. He shared his boots-on-the-ground account on what is happening in farm and ranch country.

“My testimony today is not much different than it was two years ago when I was asked to testify in front of you,” began President Duvall. “Despite the assistance in the CR, farmers still are looking to you all to pass a modernized, five-year farm bill as soon as possible. In addition to the farm bill concern of two years ago, farm families are now facing the prospects of the largest tax increase in U.S. history if Congress does not pass critical tax reform legislation this year. These are two of the many issues that I will cover in my testimony today. Farmers face several concerns related to their region, weather, trade barriers, and crop protection.”

Arizona Farm Bureau President and Yuma farmer John Boelts further explained why it’s so critical that the new U.S. Congress act quickly on farm and ranch matters, especially on the labor front. “America’s farms and ranches have been withering on the vine due to a lack of labor for growing, harvesting and trucking the bounty of America’s farm and ranch lands. This shortage of workers has been going on since the early 1990s, and Congress has failed to act.”

 

On the Farm Bill

From AFBF President Duvall’s testimony, “As Congress begins its work on the 2025 farm bill, Farm Bureau supports the following principles to guide the development of programs:

 

  • Increase baseline funding commitments to farm programs;
  • Maintain a unified farm bill that includes nutrition programs and farm programs together; and
  • Prioritize funding for risk management tools, which include both federal crop insurance and commodity programs.

 

“Farmers and ranchers have faced unprecedented volatility in recent years. From pandemic lockdowns and supply chain disruptions to highly pathogenic avian influenza, and record-high input costs, farmers have dealt with a barrage of impacts to their farms outside of their control. 

“It has now been seven years since Congress has passed a farm bill. Farm Bureau is again asking Congress to roll up its sleeves and pass a modernized five-year bill early on in this Congress.

“In 2025, farmers will plant one of the most expensive crops ever. Thanks to rising interest rates, higher energy prices, and input costs that have gone unchecked, choosing whether to plant or not is one decision that many farmers face. It is in this context that we are asking for an increase to the farm bill’s Title I safety net. 

“USDA’s most recent Farm Sector Income Forecast has shown a $41-billion decrease in net farm income, down nearly 25% from 2022. 

“Since crop prices peaked in 2022, they have taken a nosedive. Corn and wheat are down 37%, soybeans down 28% and cotton down 22%.

“At the same time, input prices have remained high. As compared to 2020, the cost to produce an acre of corn has grown by nearly 30% nationally. The combination of low crop prices and high input costs has many farmers facing losses on every acre they plant.

“Despite these increased costs, 2024 payments to farmers are projected to be the lowest since 1982 – over four decades ago. Again, highlighting this reinforces the need for increased coverage in Title I.”

 

On the 2025 Tax Bill

 

“We also can’t ignore that at this time of great economic uncertainty, farmers, ranchers and many other small businesses are staring down what may be the largest tax increase in American history,” said Duvall before the Committee.

“Failing to extend the expiring provisions of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act would take billions of dollars out of farmers’ pockets when they have no dollars to spare. Congress must find a way to create a stable business environment by making permanent the expiring TCJA provisions and ensure America’s farms and ranches can continue to provide the food, renewable fuel and fiber this country needs.”

 

On the Ag Workforce

Said Duvall, “Without diminishing the previous two issues, the greatest domestic policy threat to American agriculture is the persistent inaction to find a solution to our workforce needs.”

Continuing, he said, “In short, the costs are too high, the domestic willingness to work is too low, and family farms are closing down. This is heartbreaking and has direct and tangible impacts to our rural communities. 

“While not under this committee’s jurisdiction, labor is by far the leading issue I hear about when I visit with my members.

“I implore the members of this committee and this body to meet us at the table to get this done – to do right by our farmers and their employees who labor in the fields so you and I don’t have to.”

Boelts and other farmers in Arizona know all too well the tough labor environment. Said Boelts, “We need a streamlined guest worker program (H2A), that works for agricultural workers as well as agricultural employers. We also need Congress to grant the opportunity for new immigrants to move to our country legally, and work on America’s farm and ranches.”