Senator Tom Cotton Highlights Financial Struggles Facing American Farmers

WASHINGTON — Senator Tom Cotton, an Arkansas cattle farmer turned lawmaker, has raised concerns about the financial challenges confronting American farmers amid rising input costs and low commodity prices. Cotton emphasized the urgent need for assistance to prevent further bankruptcies among farming families.

Cotton pointed to economic pressures exacerbated by policies under former President Joe Biden, which he said have led to increased costs for seed, fertilizer, and diesel, while commodity prices remain low. This imbalance, Cotton noted, has made it difficult for many farmers to maintain profitability or sustain their operations.

In Arkansas, where Cotton grew up on a cattle farm, the situation is particularly severe. Farmers in the state are projected to lose hundreds of dollars per acre on key crops such as soybeans, corn, cotton, and long-grain rice in 2025. Cash crop receipts in Arkansas are expected to decline by $617 million this year. The disparity between input costs and commodity prices is reportedly at its highest level in 25 years.

Cotton also highlighted that Arkansas accounted for one in four Chapter 12 bankruptcy filings in the southern region over the past year. Chapter 12 bankruptcy is a classification specific to family farms and fishermen, underscoring the financial distress among generational farming operations.

The senator expressed concern about the broader implications of these challenges, noting that farmers play a critical role in the national economy and food security, which he described as essential to homeland security. He warned that economic hardship threatening farming families could have wider consequences.

Cotton also referenced trade tensions with China, which have adversely affected soybean farmers, a significant group in Arkansas where soybeans are cultivated on approximately 3.3 million acres across 41 counties.

Earlier this year, Cotton supported farm bill reforms led by Senator John Boozman, also from Arkansas, aimed at providing direct assistance to farmers and reducing waste, fraud, and abuse. However, Cotton noted that these measures will not take effect until 2026, and many farmers have already committed their crops for the current year, limiting immediate relief.

Cotton concluded by stressing the need for prompt action to support farmers facing these economic challenges before it is too late.