Survey: Family-owned ranches face mounting tax pressures

The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association recently published a comprehensive report analyzing data from a nationwide tax survey conducted among American cattle producers.

With the expiration of the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act looming in 2025, the survey aimed to provide insights into how vital tax provisions, including Death Tax relief and business deductions, impact family-owned cattle operations across the country.

NCBA President Mark Eisele, a Wyoming rancher, reflected on his personal battle with the Death Tax, which nearly ended his family’s ranching legacy. “This experience pushed me to advocate for lower taxes on farms and ranches,” Eisele explained. He emphasized that many other producers face similar struggles with hefty tax bills.

The survey highlights that 99 percent of respondents operate family-owned farms or ranches, and 64 percent are at least third-generation cattle producers. Eisele urged policymakers to take note of the data and fight for lower taxes, which he believes are essential to keeping these operations viable and ensuring that American farmers and ranchers can continue feeding the world.

The survey data also revealed widespread support for key tax provisions that reduce financial burdens on producers. These include the 1031 Like-Kind Exchange, Section 179 Expensing, Bonus Depreciation, and Section 199A Small Business Deduction. The report underscored that a quarter of respondents spend over $10,000 annually on tax preparation, filing, and potential audits—costs that place additional strain on agricultural operations.

Kent Bacus, NCBA’s Executive Director of Government Affairs, emphasized the importance of maintaining these tax provisions to support the unique challenges faced by cattle producers. “Farms and ranches are not like other businesses,” Bacus noted. “Congress must protect tax policies that enable producers to reinvest in their operations and set up future generations for success.”

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