U.S. farm groups are urging Congress to deliver urgent economic relief, warning that mounting losses and tight credit conditions are pushing large parts of agriculture toward a breaking point.
In a Jan. 15, 2026, letter to Senate and House leadership, 56 agricultural organizations describes an existential threat looming over many farms, stating, “America’s farmers, ranchers, and growers are facing extreme economic pressures that threaten the long-term viability of the U.S. agriculture sector. An alarming number of farmers are financially underwater, farm bankruptcies continue to climb, and many farmers may have difficulty securing financing to grow their next crop.”
The groups estimate that after three to four years of record-high input costs combined with historically low commodity and specialty crop prices, farm losses are approaching $100 billion nationwide. They argue that those losses persist even after accounting for crop insurance, existing farm bill programs, bridge assistance, and recent emergency aid.
Signatories also pointed to structural challenges beyond farm finances, including a widening U.S. agricultural trade deficit, declining U.S. share of global markets, and ongoing trade disruptions. The letter highlights what it describes as failures to enforce Chinese trade commitments and continued non-tariff barriers abroad, which have added volatility and uncertainty to farm income and market access.
While welcoming recent investments in farm programs and U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Farmer Bridge Assistance program, the groups said those measures will not reach producers until late 2026 and fall short of covering cumulative losses already absorbed. They called on Congress to provide immediate, robust support to close remaining gaps for both field and specialty crop producers.
“Farmers are questioning whether they can afford to plant another crop,” the letter states, arguing that stabilizing the farm economy is essential not only for rural communities but also for maintaining a secure domestic food supply.
The letter was organized by the American Farm Bureau Federation and signed by a broad coalition representing row crops, specialty crops, livestock-related sectors, and agribusiness groups nationwide.
