Thank a Farmer
Friends,
"Agriculture is our wisest pursuit."
President Thomas Jefferson had it right when he discussed the importance of agriculture in our nation, which remains the same today. Last week, we celebrated National Agriculture Week, where we recognized America’s hardworking farmers, ranchers, and ag producers for all they do to feed, clothe, and energize our country.
Agriculture is the backbone of our nation, contributing trillions of dollars to our economy, creating millions of jobs, and supplying essential commodities to families worldwide. However, farmers in our region and across the nation are facing threats like never before from inflation, record fuel prices, and supply chain shortages.
Last month, the U.S. Department of Agriculture predicted a 7.9% decline in farm income for 2022 largely due to increases in production expenses. In fact, four out of every ten large-scale farmers and ranchers reported trouble buying necessary supplies, especially fuel.
The average price of all types of gasoline has shot up 38% from February 2021 as a result of President Biden’s policies restricting American energy. Tractors and combines need a lot of gas to operate – as prices continue to increase, so will the burden on our nation’s farmers.
Another issue contributing to the assault on American agriculture is a fertilizer shortage. Biden’s inflation crisis caused the price of fertilizer in America to increase by 17% in 2021. The war in Ukraine has worsened what was already a major supply and demand crisis. Around 80% of the fertilizer used on American farms is from overseas, including from hostile nations like Russia.
As a result of the conflict, fertilizer prices have skyrocketed nationwide, including by 500% in some states. This will greatly impact our farmers both by increasing costs and lowering crop yields. Last week in Brussels, President Biden even admitted food shortages would "be real."
It is clear that like unleashing our domestic energy production, boosting America’s agriculture industry is more critical than ever. That’s why I am committed to keeping agriculture a top industry in our state and country. To do this, we must advance commonsense initiatives that address both immediate risks to this sector, as well as promote its growth in the long term. This starts with cutting burdensome regulations and making it easier for farmers to get what they need to produce crops effectively.
Last week, I made efforts to do just that. I urged the U.S. International Trade Commission to suspend duties on certain fertilizer imports in order to increase supply and lower costs for American farmers. I also co-sponsored the Emergency Relief from Duties Act, which will help farmers by making it easier for them to petition the government over unfair regulations. To help lower fuel costs for our farmers, I cosponsored the American Energy Independence from Russia Act, a bill that will boost our domestic energy production and drive down costs across the board. These are rational measures that will help trim government overreach and make it easier for farmers to get the materials they need to get the job done.
We are blessed in our country to have a rich and vibrant agriculture sector. However, we must work to support our farmers and ranchers. In 2022, Americans were already paying 12% of their income on groceries compared to 8.6% in 2020. These price hikes are likely to worsen if our leadership does not change course. We need policies from Washington that will reverse these trends and end inflation, not make them worse for farmers and your family. As your congressman and chairman of the Agriculture and Rural America Task Force, I will keep working to do just that.
Until Next Week,
Richard Hudson
Member of Congress