LOS ANGELES, Oct. 16 (Xinhua) -- The American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) and the National Farmers Union (NFU) have urged the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump and Congress to take immediate action to deliver economic relief and long-term reforms for farmers and ranchers struggling under the nation's trade policies.
In a letter sent by the AFBF, one of the country's largest agricultural lobbying organizations, the group stressed that farmers and ranchers nationwide are facing mounting financial pressures, including declining crop prices, rising production costs and shrinking export markets due to trade disputes.
Representing around 2 million farms across the United States, the AFBF warned in its letter that farm families are under unbearable strain, adding that "across the country, farms are disappearing as families close the gates on the farms tended by their parents, grandparents, and generations before them."
"The same story echoes across fruit and vegetable regions, where entire orchards are being bulldozed under the weight of soaring labor, input, and compliance costs that far exceed returns," it said.
"In the short term, we urge leaders to authorize bridge payments for farmers before the end of 2025," the letter read.
According to data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the Trump administration has distributed roughly 8 billion U.S. dollars in aid to farmers since March, with another 2 billion dollars scheduled for disbursement. Trump also suggested last month that tariff revenues could be used to support farmers and ranchers.
However, no detailed rescue plan has been released, as many lawmakers have questioned both the legality and the feasibility of using tariff revenues for direct payments.
The partial federal government shutdown, which entered its third week after the latest attempt to pass a funding bill failed in the Senate for the 10th time on Thursday, has further stalled congressional action on farm aid.
Beyond short-term assistance, the AFBF proposed a plan to improve rural economic conditions, with "fair and enforceable trade agreements" identified as its top priority.
"These payments must be robust enough to address sector-wide gaps and provide meaningful support as the federal government works to recalibrate trade strategies, stabilize prices, and strengthen key market relationships," said AFBF President Zippy Duvall.
American Soybean Association President Caleb Ragland described "fair" competition as "a level playing field" that could only be achieved "by not having tariffs in place," whether imposed by the United States or by trading partners in retaliation.
Ragland told Yahoo Finance that the proposed aid package was like "putting a Band-Aid on an open wound." "We are bleeding economically," he said.
The letter issued by the NFU emphasized that any aid designed by the administration should prioritize family-run farms most in need, while also supporting efforts to rebuild fair markets and curb corporate consolidation in agriculture.
"Input costs are projected to reach record levels in 2025. Stress levels are high among farmers, reflected in the rising number of farm bankruptcy filings across the country," NFU President Rob Larew said in the letter.
"The number of farms in the U.S. has been declining for decades, with more than 140,000 farms lost between 2017 and 2022. That decline continues today as farmers face record-low commodity prices and shrinking international markets," the letter read. ■
