Farmers Back Tariffs to Boost U.S. Ag Economy Long-Term

May 08, 2025
By Farms.com

Farmers Expect Strong Financial Performance in 2025

American farmers are showing strong support for the administration and efforts to restore fairness in global trade and open new markets for domestic producers.

According to the latest Purdue University-CME Group Ag Economy Barometer, 70% of farmers believe that administration tariffs will strengthen the agricultural economy in the long run.

Farmer sentiment improved in April, with increases in both current and future expectations. The Farm Capital Investment Index reached its highest level since May 2021.

This month, one out of four respondents said it was a good time to make large investments, nearly double the percentage of respondents who said it was a good time to invest when surveyed from May through October of last year.

Additionally, the Farm Financial Performance Index has been above 100 for four consecutive months, indicating that producers expect financial performance this year to match or slightly exceed last year’s levels.

Video: Veteran Farmers: A Legacy of Service in Rural America

Veterans Day is a time to honor the men and women who have selflessly protected our freedoms and values. And for some, the transition from military service to civilian life brings them back to the farm.

At Farm Bureau, we believe it’s important to not only celebrate veterans but also those who continue to make a difference in agriculture and their community. We've partnered with Farm Credit to establish the Veteran Farmer Award of Excellence to shine a light on those who have continued to go above and beyond to serve their communities.

This year, we recognize retired Colonel Joe Ricker as the inaugural Veteran Farmer Award of Excellence winner. Joe served over 30 years in the Army before retiring from the Pentagon and completing tours in both Iraq and Afghanistan. Since leaving the Army, his commitment to excellence in farming and enriching the lives of veterans has blossomed in a myriad of ways in both his local community of Wilkinson, Indiana, and across the country. Joe grows apples and raises bees on his farm in Indiana. Joe founded “Veterans IN Farming,” an organization, now with more than 1,100 members, dedicated to providing veterans in Indiana with the tools and training to succeed in agriculture.

The American Farm Bureau Federation is an independent, non-governmental, voluntary organization, comprised of and directed by farm and ranch families who engage in all types of food, fuel and fiber production.