Senator Tom Cotton, a prominent figure from Arkansas and a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, has voiced grave concerns about the dire financial state of American farmers. In a recent op-ed, Cotton, who grew up on a cattle farm in Yell County, Arkansas, highlighted the challenges that generational farming families face, including rising input costs, low commodity prices, and high borrowing costs. He attributed these difficulties to former President Joe Biden’s economic policies, which he believes have contributed significantly to the crisis.
Cotton emphasized that while the Working Families Tax Cut, a major farm bill reform led by fellow Arkansan Senator John Boozman, contains provisions to assist farmers and free up additional funding by eliminating waste, fraud, and abuse, these measures won’t take effect until 2026. This leaves many farmers, including those in Arkansas, without the immediate relief they desperately need. Cotton pointed out that the cost of inputs, such as seed, fertilizer, and diesel, is at its highest level in 25 years, while commodity prices remain low, making it difficult for many farmers to turn a profit or keep their businesses afloat.
In Arkansas, the situation has become so severe that cash crop receipts are projected to fall by $617 million in 2025. Cotton noted that one in four southern region Chapter 12 bankruptcies, which are specific to family farms and fishermen, were filed in Arkansas in the last year. This highlights the severity of the crisis and the urgent need for action. Cotton also warned that food security is a critical aspect of national security, and he stressed the importance of supporting farmers to prevent adversaries from exploiting the vulnerabilities of the agricultural sector.
Cotton criticized the unfair targeting of soybean farmers by communist China, particularly given that soybeans are a significant crop in Arkansas. While welcoming the announcement that China intends to purchase 12 million metric tons of soybeans this year and 25 million metric tons annually for the next three years, he called for a cautious approach, referencing President Ronald Reagan’s Cold War strategy of ‘trust, but verify.’ Cotton has also spoken directly with President Donald Trump about the challenges faced by farmers and emphasized that Trump has remained a strong advocate for agricultural communities.
Cotton concluded by urging Congress to act swiftly to provide relief to farmers, ensuring they can continue their vital work for generations to come. With the Schumer Shutdown now over, he believes that the focus should shift to implementing measures that will bridge the gap between the current crisis and the long-term solutions provided by the Working Families Tax Cut.