American farmers are currently facing unprecedented financial pressure due to the rising cost of essential inputs like fertilizer and diesel fuel, according to Land O’Lakes CEO Beth Ford. She described the current crop year as the most expensive ever for farmers, who are operating under significant volatility.
Ford expressed concern about a general lack of understanding regarding the agricultural sector, particularly among urban populations. She emphasized that the importance of food and America's self-sufficiency in food production should not be viewed as a political issue, but rather as a matter of business investment and national security. She also highlighted that rural communities, which are often overlooked, are vital to the country, noting that 19% of the rural population constitutes 44% of the military.
Addressing the workforce, Ford pointed out that two-thirds of farm workers are non-citizen immigrants. She advocated for sensible immigration reform, citing an analysis that suggests immigration reform could boost the U.S. GDP by 3.3%, or over a trillion dollars, within the next decade. This reform, she argued, would serve as a significant lever for economic growth across various businesses.
On consumer trends, Ford noted a continued increase in butter consumption, stating, "We're eating more cheese as well, although we still trail the Europeans, so everybody should get busy with that."