Mass deportations are straining U.S. farm economy, new report finds (Civil Eats): A new analysis warns that escalating deportations are already disrupting the U.S. economy, with agriculture among the hardest-hit sectors. Between January and July, 1.2 million foreign-born workers left the labor force, many due to deportations. Researchers from Economic Insights and Research Consulting (EIRC) found parallels with past mass deportations, which lowered wages, reduced job availability, and drove up consumer prices.
Unauthorized immigrants make up a quarter of all U.S. farmworkers and nearly half of crop laborers. Recent ICE raids have contributed to a 6.5% drop in farm employment this spring and summer—the opposite of the modest gains seen in previous years. Experts caution that if removals continue at this pace, the broader economy will face rising food costs, business closures, and job losses.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune takes a “wait and see approach” in determining assistance for commodity farmers (Agri-Pulse): Sen. John Thune said it’s too soon to know whether farmers will need additional federal aid this fall. Speaking at Dakotafest, he said officials will “keep the options open” and evaluate after harvest whether support is warranted, similar to USDA’s past Market Facilitation Program.
Thune acknowledged farmers are under pressure, with strong yields expected but profit margins still thin. He stressed that no decisions will be made until fall outcomes are clearer, since new farm bill program payments would not reach producers until October 2026.
Honey producers sound alarm over rising bee losses and uncertain future for bee research (Agri-Pulse): A new survey by Project Apis m. shows U.S. beekeepers lost about 1.6 million colonies—an average 55% decline—between June 2024 and March 2025, far above the historic norm of 15%. Commercial operations were hit hardest, losing more than 60%. Experts warn that such heavy losses are becoming the “new normal.”
The crisis comes as USDA plans to close the Beltsville Agricultural Research Center, home to its main bee lab where dead colonies are analyzed. Beekeepers and researchers fear breaking up the Beltsville team will disrupt critical pollinator research and weaken efforts to understand colony losses.
- Florida Farm Bureau publishes comprehensive overview of trade agreements (Morning Ag Clips): The U.S. has advanced multiple trade agreements and frameworks that directly impact agriculture this summer. Yesterday, the Florida Farm Bureau released a comprehensive overview of how each trade agreement impacts American agriculture.
Farmers warn tariffs are driving fertilizer costs to “disastrous” levels (Politico): Farm groups say President Trump’s tariff policies are driving fertilizer prices even higher, squeezing growers’ ability to plant corn, wheat, and soybeans. Fertilizer already makes up over 30% of row crop production costs, and leaders warn current prices are “approaching disastrous levels.”
While most agricultural groups have avoided openly criticizing the tariffs, some have quietly lobbied Republican lawmakers and administration officials to intervene. Earlier this month, the National Corn Growers Association and 25 state affiliates urged top trade and agriculture officials to take action to bring fertilizer costs down.