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Farm Bureau Keeps Boots on the Ground During Busy Week in D.C

Just one month after a new Congress was sworn in and two weeks after a new President was inaugurated, our nation’s capital is already buzzing with a number of important happenings.

American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall says the top of everyone’s mind is the tariffs on Mexico, Canada and China recently announced by President Trump. “This caused concerns among our members that these tariffs would drive up the price of important supplies and that retaliatory tariffs would hurt agriculture,” says Duvall. “However, we’re encouraged that President Trump was able to work out an agreement with Mexico and Canada to pause the tariffs for 30 days. We hope that all sides will be able to resolve these disputes, avoid costly trade disruptions, and keep international markets accessible while ensuring a stable food supply here at home.”

Aside from the White House, there are a lot of issues for Congress to deal with, including the confirmation hearing of the nominee for Secretary of Agriculture. “We are pleased to see Brooke Rollins’ nomination advance unanimously out of the Senate Agriculture Committee,” says Duvall. “Brooke Rollins has the leadership experience and deep commitment to American agriculture needed to be Secretary of Agriculture. Farm Bureau sent a letter to the Senate leadership urging swift confirmation, and we’re looking forward to a full Senate vote soon.”

Duvall will soon testify before the Senate Ag Committee about the challenges facing American farmers and ranchers. “These challenges include the lack of a new, updated farm bill, a tax cliff that we are barreling toward this year, ongoing labor challenges, and potential disruptions in free trade,” says Duvall. “Congress must look out for farmers and ranchers so that we can, in turn, ensure America’s pantries continue to be stocked.”

Learn more about all three topics at fb.org/news.

Taxes, Succession Planning and Profitability on the Minds of Cattle Producers

(SAN ANTONIO, TX) — As 2025 gets underway, there are plenty of items on the minds of cattlemen and women as they discuss policy priorities at CattleCon 2025.

With the new Trump Administration, there is excitement amongst members of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association as they hope to work with the new administration on a number of key issues and priorities. Gene Copenhaver,  current NCBA Vice President (and soon to be president-elect), shares that he hopes Trump 2.0 is similar to the first go round.

“Well, let me first say the last President Trump administration, he was good to the boys in the hats. Several of us got to White House and we’ve kind of been shut out of the White House the last four years. So we’re excited about him coming in and excited about maybe turning back some of the rules and regulations that’s cutting into our bottom line that this last administration put in effect,” said Copenhaver.

“And also the big, always the big policy thing we need to look at, is produce profitability for several things,” adds Copenhaver. “One big thing is to have that next generation ready to come on, whether it’s the first generation or fifth generation, whatever, is we got to continue with this family ownership of the beef industry. I mean over 90% of beef operations are family oriented and we need to make sure that continues in the future.”

Taxes are also another big priority for NCBA this year as many of the tax cuts introduced in the first Trump Administration, are set to expire in 2025. “2017, I was chairman of tax and credit for NCBA and I got to go to DC several times and everything turned out pretty good,” says Copenhaver. “We didn’t know at the time when we were working on it, but we got to change the way or we increased the levels for estate taxes. We got to keep stepped up basis. We got bonus depreciation, Section 179 deduction. And so what we’re looking at these because some of those things go away at the end of 2025, we want to maintain those and maybe get rid of estate taxes altogether if we could.”

And when it comes to passing on the farm or ranch to the next generation, Copenhaver says having good tax policy makes it easier when it comes to succession planning. “It makes it a lot easier to succession plan if we have a good tax regulation to do that. If you lower the estate taxes or make estate taxes more, then succession planning gets a lot harder,” says Copenhaver. “And it’ll put a lot of family farmers out of business. Stepped up basis is very important. It’s important to all size farming operations or ranching operations. And we need to make sure that’s always maintained.”

Copenhaver added that other priorities of NCBA in 2025 are making sure that beef is still maintained on the dinner plate with USDA. And making sure that a new five-year Farm Bill is enacted with key programs such as funding for the foot and mouth vaccine bank, LRP programs and voluntary conservation programs.

The Cattle Industry Convention and NCBA Trade Show runs through Thursday in San Antonio, TX. In 2026, the convention heads to Nashville, TN.

Hear the full conversation with Gene Copenhaver on Tuesday’s episode of Market Talk in Segment Four of the show:

Senate Ag Committee Advances Brooke Rollins for Full Senate Vote

Brooke Rollins being sworn in to testify at Senate Ag Committee Hearing Jan 2025. Photo by Tom Williams.
Brooke Rollins, agriculture secretary nominee, is sworn in to her Senate Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry Committee confirmation hearing January 2025. (Tom Williams)

The Senate Agriculture Committee unanimously advanced Brooke Rollins’ nomination for agriculture secretary Monday.

With the committee’s approval, Rollins is now poised for a full Senate vote, though committee chair John Boozman (R-Ark.) noted it’s unlikely to happen this week. Rollins is expected to be easily confirmed with bipartisan support.

Republican senators have praised Rollins’ close relationship with President Donald Trump and, although she does not have an extensive record in agriculture policy, they point to her experience as a domestic policy chief during the first Trump administration as an asset. 

In the weeks leading up to Monday’s vote, several Democratic senators also signaled their openness to supporting Rollins after having “productive” discussions about their agriculture policy priorities. They will need to collaborate with her on critical issues like the stalled farm bill and the allocation of billions of dollars in economic aid for farmers—responsibilities overseen by the USDA chief.

At her confirmation hearing before the Senate Agriculture Committee, Rollins faced questions from senators urging her to commit to advocating for agricultural interests in Cabinet discussions, especially regarding mass deportations and sweeping tariffs. Rollins reassured lawmakers, stating, “I sincerely believe that if I do my job, USDA will be able to help bring in new trade partners, expand access for new trade products, and support all sectors, whether it’s specialty crops, row crops, or the livestock industry.”

A Texas native, Rollins brings extensive public policy experience to the role. She began her political career as the first female student body president at Texas A&M University, where she focused on service and inclusivity. Her leadership during that time laid the foundation for her career in public service, with an emphasis on addressing student needs.

After earning a degree in Agricultural Development, Rollins served as Policy Director under Texas Governor Rick Perry, where she worked on natural resource policies critical to the agricultural sector. During her tenure, she also advocated for sustainable resource management, supported free-market policies, and sought to reduce government regulation.

Rollins’ qualifications have garnered support from agricultural leaders, who view her as a strong advocate for policies that benefit rural communities and the agricultural industry. This news has been met with support from numerous agricultural industry groups, with a prevailing sentiment of optimism for a bipartisan path forward.

As President and CEO of the Texas Public Policy Foundation, Rollins became known for championing free-market principles, including minimal government intervention and backing industries like fossil fuels. She continued to advocate for these views during her leadership at the America First Policy Institute, where she played a key role in preparing for a potential second term for President Trump.

“Brooke Rollins will be an outstanding Secretary of Agriculture. Mrs. Rollins is deeply committed to advocating for our country’s producers and understands the needs of rural America,” said Chandler Goule, CEO of the National Association of Wheat Growers (NAWG). “NAWG encourages the Senate to move swiftly to confirm her as soon as possible.”

On behalf of America’s sugar beet and sugarcane farmers and workers, the American Sugar Alliance stated, “President Donald Trump and Secretary-designate Rollins are committed to putting America’s farmers first. Today’s bipartisan vote reaffirms that Rollins will be a champion for our farmers, workers, and rural communities. Agriculture is a vital cornerstone of our nation’s economy and food security, and America’s strong domestic sugar industry is a critical part of the American food supply. We urge the full Senate to confirm Secretary-designate Rollins without delay.”

“IDFA congratulates Ms. Rollins on the Senate Agriculture Committee’s strong, bipartisan approval of her nomination, and we urge the full Senate to swiftly confirm her as the next U.S. Secretary of Agriculture,” said Michael Dykes, D.V.M., president and CEO of the International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA). “IDFA looks forward to working with Ms. Rollins at USDA to enhance the dietary health of Americans, support farmers and industry in the production of wholesome food, and foster a regulatory environment that drives innovation, growth, and safety. These efforts will allow our industry to continue leading the world in the production of high-quality, nutritious dairy foods.”

Once confirmed, Rollins will make history as the first Secretary of Agriculture to have served as a state officer in the National FFA Organization, a distinction that highlights her deep ties to agricultural education. 

U.S. farmers retain optimistic outlook for 2025 despite ag trade uncertainty

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — U.S. farmers began 2025 with an optimistic outlook, as the January Purdue University/CME Group Ag Economy Barometer rose 5 points from the previous month to a reading of 141. This increase was driven by a 9-point growth in the Current Conditions Index and a 3-point rise in the Future Expectations Index. The improvement in sentiment was linked to higher crop prices between December and mid-January and fewer producers citing crop and livestock prices as a top concern. For instance, Eastern Corn Belt prices for near-term delivery of corn and soybeans rose by 9% and 5%, respectively, during that period. While farmers’ views of current conditions improved, optimism about the future remained even stronger, with the Future Expectations Index exceeding the Current Conditions Index by 47 points. This month’s survey was conducted between Jan. 13-17.

The Farm Financial Performance Index climbed 13 points in January, reflecting a similar rise in the Current Conditions Index and indicating that producers, on average, anticipate 2025 will be a more robust financial year than 2024. Meanwhile, the Farm Capital Investment Index remained steady at a reading of 48, unchanged from December. Despite no change, the investment index remains significantly higher than last summer’s low of 31 and represents the second-highest reading of the past three years. Producers’ optimism about the future appears to support the stronger investment index, though it remains uncertain whether this optimism will lead to more farm machinery or new construction investments.

“The January survey reflects a notable sense of optimism among U.S. farmers, particularly regarding their expected financial performance in 2025,” said Michael Langemeier, the barometer’s principal investigator and director of Purdue University’s Center for Commercial Agriculture. “Recent improvements in crop and livestock prices have provided a boost to farmers’ current sentiment. Although farmers are optimistic about the future, there are some clouds on the horizon. For example, more farmers this month reported challenges in paying off operating loans compared to the last couple of years, and many producers are worried about the future of agricultural trade, with 40% of this month’s respondents saying they think a trade war is either likely or very likely.”

The Short-Term Farmland Value Expectations Index rose 5 points in January to a reading of 115, returning to its November level. Farmers’ confidence in rising farmland values, which dipped late last summer amid weaker crop prices, has stabilized since October, with the index fluctuating between 110 and 120 in recent months. January’s modest improvement reflects a higher percentage of producers expecting values to increase, coupled with fewer expecting values to remain unchanged. Meanwhile, the Long-Term Farmland Value Expectations Index, which gauges expectations for the next five years, declined 5 points to 150. Despite the dip, the long-term index remains 8 points above its 12-month low recorded last August.

The January barometer survey, which has annually included questions about farmers’ operating loans for the upcoming year since 2020, revealed a slight increase in the percentage of producers anticipating larger loans this year — 18%, up from 15% in 2024. Among those expecting an increase, 23% attributed it to carrying over unpaid operating debt from the previous year, compared to 17% last year and just 5% two years ago. The shift reflects a decline in farm income, particularly crop income, over the past two years and could be an early signal of rising financial stress among producers.

Agricultural trade remains a top concern for U.S. farmers. In January, 42% of producers identified “trade policy” as the most important policy for their farm over the next five years, more than double the 17% who selected “crop insurance program.” While there is still significant concern among U.S. farmers that a trade war could break out that negatively impacts U.S. ag exports, responses regarding worries about a potential trade war have eased slightly since December, with 40% of producers now believing a trade war is “likely” or “very likely,” down from 48% the previous month. Meanwhile, the percentage of farmers who see a trade war as “unlikely” or “very unlikely” rose from 21% in December to 29% in January.

Interest in leasing farmland for solar energy production continues to grow. In January’s survey, 11% of farmers reported discussing solar leases for their land within the last six months. Lease rates offered by solar energy companies in 2024 and 2025 were notably higher than in previous years, with 40% of respondents reporting offers of $1,250 per acre or more and 26% receiving offers of $1,500 per acre or more. Additionally, 54% of respondents noted that contracts included escalator clauses, most commonly ranging from 2% to 3% annually, though some reported escalators of 3% to 4% per year. Overall, 3% of survey respondents said either they or one of their landowners had signed a solar lease.

Swine Health Information Center Releases 2025 Plan of Work, Celebrates Record-Breaking 2024, and Welcomes New Grant Administrator

Manhattan, Kansas (February 3, 2025) – The Swine Health Information Center released its 2025 Plan of Work, outlining key priorities to protect the health of the US swine herd in the coming year. This follows a year of unprecedented success, as detailed in the recently completed 2024 Progress Report, which highlighted a record level of funding for research projects and an increase in research investment. Further, SHIC welcomes Jessica Stice as its new grant and contract administrator, further strengthening its capacity to support critical swine health research efforts.

2025 Plan of Work: A Proactive Approach to Swine Health Challenges

SHIC’s 2025 Plan of Work emphasizes a proactive approach to addressing emerging disease threats and enhancing biosecurity measures within the US swine industry. “We have developed a comprehensive road map for 2025 to address swine health challenges in support of SHIC’s mission and have identified areas where knowledge gaps remain,” said SHIC Associate Director Dr. Lisa Becton. “One area of focus within the 2025 plan of work includes evaluation of biosecurity at the packing plant/transportation interface to prevent or reduce transmission of pathogens back to the farm. Objective research to identify biosecurity steps on the farm and at the plant can help inform strategies for disease prevention and control.”

SHIC’s pillars guide efforts to ensure the well-being of the US swine herd.

Key areas of focus in the 2025 Plan of Work include:

  • Strengthening Disease Surveillance: Enhancing domestic disease monitoring through robust data collection from veterinary diagnostic laboratories and voluntary reporting programs, such as the Global and Domestic Swine Disease Monitoring Reports.
  • Improving Information Dissemination: Providing timely and valuable information to veterinarians and producers through webinars, updated disease fact sheets, and a strong online presence to ensure rapid dissemination of critical information on emerging swine health issues.
  • Mitigating Risk Factors: Implementing strategies to mitigate risks associated with high-risk product importation, international travel, and the movement of animals. This includes a focus on enhancing biosecurity protocols during transportation, at packing plants, and within personnel movements between farms.
  • Addressing Emerging Disease Threats: Prioritizing research on emerging diseases such as African swine fever, porcine sapovirus, and hemorrhagic tracheitis syndrome. This includes investigating novel diagnostic tools, developing rapid response strategies, and enhancing understanding of disease transmission and impact.
  • Advancing Surveillance and Diagnostic Capabilities: Utilizing innovative technologies such as wastewater sampling and tongue tip fluid analysis for enhanced disease surveillance. Investing in genome-based diagnostic technologies to improve early detection and enable rapid and accurate disease identification.
  • Prioritizing Research Efforts: Updating and utilizing the swine bacterial and viral disease matrices to guide research investments towards the most critical areas, ensuring that research efforts are strategically aligned with the highest-priority threats to the US swine herd.

2024 Progress Report: A Year of Significant Activity

The 2024 Progress Report underscores a year of significant achievements for SHIC. The organization funded 32 research projects, totaling a record $3,990,689, to address critical swine health challenges in 2024. This significant investment was made possible through leveraging Pork Checkoff funding with external grants and matching funds, maximizing the impact of research dollars and expanding the network of scientists conducting SHIC-funded research.

“SHIC received the greatest number of proposals and awarded the highest dollar amount for research projects in a single year in 2024,” said Dr. Megan Niederwerder, Executive Director of SHIC. “This demonstrates the growing recognition of SHIC’s vital role in supporting cutting-edge swine health research and innovation for pork producers.”

Welcoming Jessica Stice, Grant and Contract Administrator

To further enhance its operational efficiency and maximize the impact of its research investments, SHIC has appointed Jessica Stice as its new Grant and Contract Administrator. “We welcome Jessica to the SHIC team and look forward to her contribution to our mission to protect the health of the US swine herd by exploring and securing additional grant funding opportunities as well as managing related compliance efforts,” Dr. Niederwerder said.

Stice brings a wealth of experience in grant writing, administration, and non-profit management to this crucial role. “I am thrilled to join the dedicated team at SHIC and contribute to their important mission,” said Stice. “My expertise in grant management will enable SHIC to streamline its funding processes, identify new opportunities, and ensure the efficient and effective utilization of research funds.”

About the Swine Health Information Center

SHIC serves as a valuable resource for the swine industry, providing timely information, supporting innovative research, and fostering collaboration among stakeholders to address emerging challenges. SHIC was founded on July 4, 2015, celebrating its 10th anniversary this year.

The Swine Health Information Center, launched in 2015 with Pork Checkoff funding, protects and enhances the health of the US swine herd by minimizing the impact of emerging disease threats through preparedness, coordinated communications, global disease monitoring, analysis of swine health data, and targeted research investments. As a conduit of information and research, SHIC encourages sharing of its publications and research. Forward, reprint, and quote SHIC material freely. For more information, visit http://www.swinehealth.org or contact Dr. Megan Niederwerder at mniederwerder@swinehealth.org or Dr. Lisa Becton at lbecton@swinehealth.org.

Survey Shows Canadian Farmers Concerned About Tariffs

New data from RealAgristudies confirms and quantifies the level of concern Canada’s farmers have regarding potential U.S. tariffs.

Fifty-nine percent of respondents expect proposed U.S. tariffs will negatively impact their businesses. Only seven percent think there won’t be an effect on their operations. Another seven percent aren’t sure what the impact will be. Farmers who primarily produce livestock are slightly more likely to expect an impact on their business than mixed or primarily crop-focused farmers. There isn’t much difference in how farmers see the potential impact when you compare age, farm size, and geography.

Overall, 88 percent of the survey respondents say they are very or somewhat concerned about the impact of tariffs on the Canadian economy. Only three percent of the respondents say they aren’t concerned. Livestock producers tend to see a trade war as more likely (88 percent) than mixed (72 percent) or primarily crop producers (75 percent).

National Ag Day is Next Month

National Ag Day is scheduled for March 18, 2025. It’s a day to recognize and celebrate the abundance provided by U.S. farmers and ranchers. Every year, producers, agricultural associations, corporations, universities, government agencies, and countless others across America join together to recognize the contributions that agriculture makes to our lives.

The Agriculture Council of America hosts the campaign on a national level, but awareness efforts in communities across America are vital. The Ag Day Planning Guide has been created to help communities and organizations more effectively host Ag Day events. The National Ag Day Program encourages Americans to understand how food and fiber products are produced, value the essential role of agriculture in maintaining a strong economy, and appreciate the role agriculture plays in providing safe, abundant, and affordable products.

Agriculture provides almost everything we eat, use, and wear daily, but too few people truly understand this contribution.

Canada, Mexico Tariffs Delayed 30 Days; China Issues Retaliatory Tariffs

(WASHINGTON D.C.) — Tariffs on Mexico and Canada will be put on hold for one month. President Trump’s decision comes after he spoke with Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum Monday morning, and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in the afternoon.

In a post on X, Sheinbaum said Mexico will send ten-thousand National Guard members to the U.S. border to prevent drug trafficking into the U.S. Trudeau said on social media that after a good call with Trump, Canada would spend over a billion dollars on a plan to reinforce its border, along having ten-thousand frontline personnel “working on protecting the border.” Earlier Monday, the President said he would like to see Canada become the 51st state of the U.S., when asked what the country could do to change his mind regarding tariffs.

Meanwhile, China is slapping tariffs on some U.S products, retaliation for tariffs President Trump enacted. Beijing said overnight that it will charge extra tariffs of 15 percent on coal and liquified natural gas, along with ten percent on crude oil, farm equipment and some cars starting next week. Over the weekend Trump signed off on ten percent tariffs on China in addition to existing 25 percent tariffs applied in his first term.

Farmers for Free Trade Talks Tariffs

Farmers for Free Trade released a statement on the harm tariffs against Mexico and Canada would cause farmers and U.S. agriculture.

Bob Hemesath, Farmers for Free Trade Board Chair, says, “Canada, Mexico, and China together buy half of all America’s ag exports. They are indispensable markets for the American ag economy’s health.” Hemesath adds that placing tariffs on the three largest export markets for American farmers and ranchers, particularly for any extended period, will have severe consequences because U.S. farmers are already struggling.

“Record-high input costs, declining crop prices, and global supply gluts have created an environment where many farmers are operating at a loss,” Hemesath said. “Adding tariffs to the mix will only exacerbate the situation across most of rural America.”

Mexico and Canada have been partners in trade agreements that have grown U.S. ag exports to those countries by over 300 percent in recent decades.

Thune Comments On President Trump Tariffs

(Washington, DC) — Senate Majority Leader John Thune is giving his insight on President Trump’s latest tariff announcements.

The South Dakota Republican Senator told reporters yesterday he feels it’s a wait-and-see situation if tariffs are actually imposed and how long they would actually last. President Trump put forth an order to place 25-percent tariffs on Canada and Mexico and a ten-percent tariff on China. However, the tariffs on Mexico and Canada have already been paused after deals were made with the two countries.

The tariffs on China did go into effect overnight with the country issuing retaliatory tariffs on multiple products. Thune had previously said during Trump’s first term as President that his fellow Senate Republicans were not comfortable with placing tariffs on imports from Mexico because of the economic effects.