Local agribusiness people expressed hope that a “skinny farm bill” being considered in Congress will tie up some unresolved matters from the “one big beautiful bill” and provide some relief from how new tariffs might affect them.
A couple dozen farmers and other people in related businesses attended an Indiana Farm Bureau “shop talk” with Congressman Jefferson Shreve on Tuesday at the Tracie and Brad Bever farm. Shreve, whose district includes parts of Indianapolis as well as what he called “very rural” areas such as southwestern Fayette County, where the Bevers reside.
Shreve admitted at the start that he knows little about farming but has more than 30 years in private business. He began his first term in Congress in January, representing Indiana’s 6th District.
He asked for suggestions about what should be included in the “skinny farm bill” because House Speaker Mike Johnson is hopeful it can be finalized by Sept. 5. Some provisions of the previous farm bill that were not included in the One Big Beautiful Bill will end on Sept. 30 if Congress doesn’t act by then.
“We all have to hustle when we get back to Washington,” he said.
Randy Kron, the Indiana Farm Bureau president, said the biggest thing is helping farmers find new markets and maintain an equitable position.
“China has not booked any new beans. They’ve been our largest partner for a lot of years,” said Kron.
Another farmer said that as tariffs come along, “you lose market share” and asked if other countries will fill the gap left by China and affected countries buying elsewhere.
Shreve acknowledged the concern, noting that international trade negotiations have been “nerve racking” for observers like him. “How many Maldovas does it take to fill the gap?” he asked, rhetorically. “Every trade deal has gotten better from the start of these negotiations with this administration. What I would say if I were in a discussion with the President and administration is we need to nail it down.”
Several farmers talked to Shreve about the effects of the tariffs put on American trading partner countries and America’s isolation of Russia. They expressed appreciation for his vote in favor of the One Big Beautiful Bill that included parts of the farm budget but said Congress should consider how to aid farmers as they consider a “skinny farm bill” that is being considered now.
Prices are climbing rapidly on the essential inputs of farming – chemicals such as potash, phosphates and nitrates – while the prices buyers are paying for crops are going down.
One farmer said that farms operate on a 24- to 36-month business cycle “from the time we buy our inputs, plant, harvest and sell,” so what is happening now will affect agriculture for several years. While he believes that tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump may eventually prove to America’s benefit, the immediate effects will be difficult for farmers.
Another compared it with what happened in the late 1970s and early 1980s, when land prices got so high that young farmers could get started in the business. Another said the percentage of farms being farmed by tenants who don’t own the land is going up.
Nick Thomas of Falmouth Farm Supply said he has already placed orders for about half of the chemicals his business will be spreading on land or selling to farmers next spring. About 18 percent of nitrates used by agriculture come from Russia. Cost for other inputs are also rising rapidly.
China is not buying American soybeans and other countries are cutting back, so some of last year’s crop is still being stored. That means elevators don’t have room to buy and store this year’s soybeans when they are harvested.
Another man said China “is smart enough to know that if they pinch us (farmers), they will pinch him (Trump).”
One man suggested that Congress act to include some kind of compensation to farmers for the cost of tariffs in terms of higher costs and lost income.
Thomas summed up the discussion, saying of farmers he talks with, “They feel like you’re gambling with their money.”
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