From the Desk of American Farm Bureau President Zippy Duvall

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USDA is considering plans to rescind rules that protect farmers under the Packers and Stockyards Act.

In this week’s commentary, American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall tells us safeguards could be eroded for poultry growers and cattle farmers.

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America’s farmers are troubled by news that USDA plans to rescind or continue to delay several rules that are designed to benefit farmers and ranchers.

The rules help protect farmers from retaliation by large processors, increase transparency and improve pay systems for contract poultry growers.

They make it clear that unfair practices by poultry companies and meatpackers will not be tolerated.

They also take on the poultry tournament pay system that’s punished growers for factors outside of their control.

Farm Bureau has advocated for a more level playing field. That progress is now at risk.

We urge President Trump and USDA to demonstrate their commitment to farmers by leaving these critical safeguards in place.

I’m Zippy Duvall, president of the American Farm Bureau Federation.

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Rising costs and low commodity prices are squeezing farmers from all sides.

In this week’s commentary, American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall tells us Congress can help ease the burden of a struggling farm economy.

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Farmers are no strangers to a difficult year. Agriculture has always been resilient, and farmers are used to adapting to changing markets and weather.

But several years of high inflation, low commodity prices, and rising production costs have left many family farms facing another year of projected losses, with little path back to profitability.

Farmers are already making decisions for next year’s crop. Without timely assistance, more farm families and rural communities will feel the impact.

Congress has an opportunity to help strengthen the farm economy by providing timely market relief before their summer recess.

That support will help keep more farmers on the land, strengthen rural communities, and protect America’s food supply.

I’m Zippy Duvall, President of the American Farm Bureau Federation.

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The Bureau of Land Management is proposing updates to grazing regulations.

In this week’s commentary, American Farm Bureau Executive Vice President Joby Young tells us grazing on public lands is critical to rebuilding America’s herds.

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America’s public lands are some of our nation’s greatest treasures.

They provide space to enjoy the outdoors, while also supporting family ranches that produce the high-quality American beef and lamb found on dinner tables across the country.

With America’s cattle herd at its smallest size in 75 years, reliable access to grazing resources is critical to rebuilding the herd.

That’s why Farm Bureau supports the Bureau of Land Management’s proposed updates to grazing regulations.

The proposal modernizes decades-old rules, gives ranchers more flexibility to respond to changing conditions, and recognizes that healthy landscapes depend on many factors.

Practical, science-based grazing policies will help keep family ranches strong while ensuring our public lands remain healthy for generations to come.

I’m Joby Young, Executive Vice President of the American Farm Bureau Federation.

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A decades-long problem in agriculture is being addressed in new House legislation.

In this week’s commentary, American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall tells us it’s time to find solutions to the farm labor crisis.

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House Agriculture Committee Chairman G.T. Thompson recently introduced the Securing America’s Workforce Act.

This is an important step toward a guestworker system that better reflects the realities of modern agriculture.

Across the country, the need for agricultural labor reform is a top concern for farmers and ranchers.

A reliable workforce is essential to producing the food, fuel and fiber Americans depend on every day.

Yet many farmers struggle to find the workforce they need, and the current H-2A program does not fully meet the needs of agriculture.

Farmers are navigating rising costs, complicated regulations and a program that has not been modernized by Congress in decades.

Farmers need a reliable workforce to keep America’s food supply secure.

I’m Zippy Duvall, President of the American Farm Bureau Federation.