Relief payments and trade deals strengthen American agriculture
At the Agriculture Outlook Forum in Kansas City, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins detailed new steps to strengthen American farming. Rising seed, fuel, fertilizer, and interest costs—up 18% to 73% since 2020—are pressuring farm income. Labor expenses have also increased 47%, driven by high H-2A program wage rates.
To address these challenges, USDA and the Department of Justice signed a Memorandum of Understanding to investigate competition in the farm supply chain. The partnership will target unfair pricing of essential inputs such as seed, fertilizer, fuel, and equipment, aiming to lower costs for producers and consumers.
Relief continues through the Emergency Commodity Assistance Program (ECAP). Of the $10 billion authorized, over $8 billion has already reached farmers, and USDA is releasing the final $2 billion to approved producers this week. Additional help includes more than $2 billion for livestock relief and $5.5 billion for disaster recovery.
To expand markets, the America First Trade Promotion Program will begin a year early with $285 million in funding to increase global opportunities for U.S. crops. International food assistance purchases of $480 million will provide school meals and nutrition programs in countries such as Benin, Honduras, Mozambique, Pakistan, and Senegal while supporting market access in nations including Colombia, Kenya, and Vietnam.
USDA will buy 417,000 metric tons of U.S. commodities for these programs, with McGovern-Dole projects alone using 56,170 metric tons—a 50% increase from last year. Food for Progress will sell 361,000 metric tons abroad to reinvest in market development.
Secretary Rollins emphasized that these actions protect national security and ensure American farmers remain competitive. With antitrust enforcement, relief funding, and expanded trade, USDA is working to keep U.S. agriculture strong and resilient.
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