By BETH ZUMWALT
Farmers are preparing to enter the fields this spring with more uncertainty than usual, according to Jenna Morrow, executive director of the Pike-Scott Farm Burea.
“I think the thing that would alleviate a lot of the questions would be if we had a farm bill,” Morrow said.
The American Relief Act, 2025, signed into law Dec. 21, 2024, extended the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 (also known as the 2018 Farm Bill) for one year through Sept. 30, 2025.
Safety net and price support programs provide peace of mind for producers who are working to manage market ups and downs. The extension authorizes safety-net and price support programs to continue.“Farmers would really like to know what going on with the Farm Bill as they start to borrow money for their in-put costs for the 2025 season,” Morrow said. “It’s hard for them to plan. A lot of them bought seed, and chemicals under contract last fall. That could prevent last minute changes.”
Morrow said the proposed tariff’s could also be an issue, but, there is a lot of uncertainty there also. Payton Dean, agricultural loan officer at United Community Bank said her customers are being hesitant and cautious.“They are trying to keep everything as inexpensive as possible,” Dean said. “There are hardly any equipment sales, new or used.”
Dean said the low prices for commodities directly impacts the producer.“The prices are the big concern,” she said. “I don’t think the tariffs are on people’s minds right now. They just want to produce the best crop as in-expensively as possible.”
