American Farm Bureau Federation

The H-2A visa program for seasonal agricultural labor is expanding rapidly, with usage rising over 500% since 2012. Farmers and agricultural groups advocate for further expansion to address labor shortages amid immigration enforcement, while labor organizations and conservatives criticize the program for potential abuses and reliance on foreign workers.

Farm bankruptcies in Minnesota and the Midwest are rising sharply due to declining farm income, rising input costs, and financial pressures. The USDA projects a $1.2 billion drop in farm income this year, while Chapter 12 bankruptcy filings in Minnesota increased by 300% compared to 2024. Experts warn of worsening conditions, drawing parallels to the 1980s farm crisis.

The article reports that ten of twelve Fourth of July food staples tracked by the American Farm Bureau Federation are more expensive than they were a year ago. It highlights rising costs for common holiday food items.

Tensions erupted in an Oval Office meeting between President Trump, HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins, and farming representatives over an executive order promoting alternatives to conventional pesticides. The debate highlighted conflicting priorities: MAHA's push to reduce pesticide use to protect public health versus farming groups' concerns about economic impacts and food safety.

Fourth of July cookout costs reached a record $73.82 for 10 guests nationally, but Michigan families spent $66.06 on average. A fatal shooting occurred in Southgate after a police confrontation, Kim Mathers' warrants were canceled after she turned herself in, and Floyd Mayweather Jr.'s rematch with Manny Pacquiao was postponed.

Beef prices in the U.S. remain at record highs, with ground beef reaching $6.90 per pound in April and steaks averaging $12.80 per pound in May. The American Farm Bureau Federation predicts prices will stay elevated until 2028 due to a 75-year low in cattle inventory caused by drought, high interest rates, and rising production costs, combined with surging consumer demand for protein-rich diets.

Americans continue to prioritize protein consumption despite record beef prices, with 70% seeking more protein in their diets. Experts emphasize that the 'healthiest burger' depends on individual health goals, noting that beef, poultry, seafood, and plant-based options all have roles. Beef prices reached $9.64 per pound in April 2025, up 14% year-over-year.

The U.S. remains a top beef producer but faces record-high ground beef prices due to declining cattle populations, drought-related challenges, and rising feed costs. Despite steady demand, factors like heatwaves, reduced grazing land, and Trump-era tariffs on fertilizer have exacerbated supply constraints, with cattle numbers unlikely to recover until 2028.

Southern U.S. states are preparing for a potential invasion of New World screwworms, which have spread from Mexico and Central America. The threat has led to a ban on Mexican cattle imports, contributing to high beef prices and strained livestock markets.

The New World screwworm, previously eradicated from the U.S. in the 1960s, is spreading from Mexico and Central America, prompting federal and state measures to prevent infestation in livestock. A ban on Mexican cattle imports has worsened beef shortages and driven prices to record highs, with experts warning of ongoing challenges in re-eradicating the parasite.

Farmers in the Midwest are facing financial pressure due to rising energy and fertilizer prices, driven by the Iran conflict, which may lead to more family farms going out of business and increased food prices. The current landscape is more challenging than at any time since the 1980s farm crisis. Rising fuel and fertilizer costs threaten rural economies already strained by trade disruptions and extreme weather.

A survey by the American Farm Bureau Federation found 70% of U.S. farmworkers cannot afford fertilizer due to rising costs linked to the U.S.-Israeli conflict in Iran. The survey highlights financial strain on farmers from escalating fertilizer prices.