National Farmers Union President Rob Larew testified before the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry, addressing the economic challenges facing family farmers and ranchers. He called for a robust farm bill in 2025, emphasizing policies to enhance the farm safety net, conservation efforts, and market fairness.
Larew urged Congress to safeguard the Packers and Stockyards Act, support country-of-origin labeling, and tackle trade policies affecting farm incomes. He highlighted the need for stable policies amidst recent federal funding uncertainties.
"Thank you, Chairman Boozman, Ranking Member Klobuchar, and members of the committee. As a sixth-generation farmer from West Virginia, I am proud to be here representing family farmers and ranchers from across the country," Larew began his testimony.
He noted significant farm losses: "According to the Census of Agriculture, we lost a staggering 140,000 farms in the last five years." Larew emphasized that a new farm bill should strengthen risk management tools and support future generations of farmers.
Discussing market challenges, he stated: "Farmers are the backbone of America...often our only option is to buy from, and sell to, monopolies." He advocated for fair competition by protecting existing agricultural laws and supporting labeling acts like Senator Thune's American Beef Labeling Act.
On global trade issues, Larew remarked: "American family farmers are often the first to suffer from trade disputes." He called for expanded markets and careful application of trade policies to protect American farmers.
Larew also expressed concern over recent executive actions causing uncertainty in funding availability: "Freezing spending...just adds more uncertainty to an already tough farm economy."
He concluded with optimism about overcoming these challenges through strong legislation: "The challenges facing family farmers and ranchers are daunting...A strong farm bill...can ensure the next generation has opportunities in agriculture."
