- U.S. Justice Department to examine rising cost of farm inputs (Reuters): The U.S. Department of Justice’s antitrust division will work with USDA to investigate rising costs of farm inputs such as fertilizer, seed, fuel, and equipment. A new memorandum of understanding seeks to strengthen antitrust enforcement and improve competition in agricultural markets. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins emphasized that soaring input costs, coupled with weak crop prices and trade disruptions, are straining producers, and said the collaboration aims to prevent farmers and ranchers from bearing unfair burdens.
Secretary Rollins speaks on state of farm economy, announces suite of actions to support American farmers (USDA Press Release): At the Agriculture Outlook Forum in Kansas City, Secretary Rollins outlined a multi-pronged response to mounting farm input costs, which have surged in recent years: fertilizer up 37%, fuel and oil 32%, and interest expenses 73%. A central feature of the plan is USDA’s new memorandum of understanding with DOJ, aimed at monitoring competition and preventing price manipulation in input markets.
Rollins also criticized outdated surveys used to set wage rates in the H-2A farm labor program, calling for reforms to reflect current conditions. She pledged additional measures to improve supply chain efficiency, reduce regulatory burdens, and strengthen the resilience of U.S. agriculture, positioning these actions as part of a broader effort to stabilize the farm economy during a period of volatility.
Lawmakers scramble to stop shutdown, layoffs, and ‘crisis’ looming in farm country (RFD TV): As tomorrow night’s shutdown deadline nears, lawmakers are racing to prevent a lapse in funding, but momentum is lacking. The Senate has yet to act on a continuing resolution, and the House canceled votes earlier in the week. The White House has floated potential layoffs if a deal isn’t reached, while Agriculture Secretary Rollins stressed that core programs supporting farmers and ranchers should be insulated from the fallout.
Farm groups warn that prolonged gridlock could ripple through rural economies, delaying services and straining farm country further. Traditionally, shutdowns lead to furloughs for many federal workers, while staff in critical roles remain exempt. Advocates caution that even temporary disruptions would heighten uncertainty for producers already facing high costs and weak margins.