Alabama has fertile land, natural resources and plenty of agricultural opportunities for farmers. However, national trends of fewer exports and higher costs have many farmers struggling to stay afloat.
According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), overall livestock, poultry, and dairy exports are projected at $38.6 billion for FY 2025, down $100 million from FY 2024.
Farmers in Alabama tell 1819 News they fear the agriculture industry is dying. Insurance and equipment costs, fertilizer, chemical and seed costs are among the factors impacting farms.
According to the USDA, exports have decreased for the third time in five years, while farm debt has increased by around 5%.
Alabama Department of Agriculture & Industries Commissioner Rick Pate says his main concern is row crops. He said if things don't change, those farming soybeans, cotton and corn could lose their land and houses.
"Who's the number one person really struggling I would say it's our row crop folks," he said.
"I mean corn is just bottoming out; soybeans, wheat," Pate continued. "I was up in Lawrence County last week and a guy that's farming 7,000 acres told me he was done."
Pate claimed Alabama's cattle industry is seeing success.
"I mean, this is not a good year unless you got cattle this is not a good year to be an agriculture period," he said.
Still, some Alabama cattle farmers have concerns. While beef has reached a record $8.15 per pound, USDA numbers show farmers are not making any more money. Farmers blame inflation, drought, and bad policy. U.S. cattle inventory has also dropped because aging farmers cannot afford to expand operations.
Mitt Walker, the national affairs director for ALFA, also blamed bad policy for many of the issues facing farmers.
"Low commodity prices, soaring production costs and widespread drought are putting pressure on farmers," Walker said. "Inflation and higher interest rates, coupled with poor energy and trade policies, have created a financial crisis for many farmers."
"We're just not exporting the amount of corn, soybeans, and cotton that we used to," Pate added. "If you look at cotton, most of our cotton is shipped overseas then we buy almost an identical amount back as finished products. So, you're selling at wholesale, and you're buying it back at retail. It just doesn't make any sense."
Market analysts found many of the problems began during the COVID-19 pandemic. Pate said the North American Trade Agreement (NAFTA) has killed the nation's textile industry, putting even more strain on the commodity.
Poultry farmers in Alabama told 1819 News their problems are compounded by predatory practices of integrators. There are only a few poultry integrators who operate in the state, and the farmers feel they are not treated fairly. They say their jobs feel more like sharecropping than owning a farm.
"As long as they're getting their eggs, as long as they're getting their chickens, that's all they care about," one farmer told 1819 News on the condition of anonymity. "So, I've spoken to several people in the poultry industry and the big thing is these companies are making it so difficult for farmers that they're going out of business."
Walker said ALFA supports transparency in poultry contracts and acts as a mediator between integrators and farmers to help mitigate those issues.
"We work closely with Alabama poultry farmers to review proposed rules and regulations and provide feedback to agencies and elected officials," Walker said. "The Federation facilitates open communication among farmers, integrators, researchers and others to ensure Alabama's growing poultry industry benefits farmers and consumers."
While the farmer said integrators have ruined lives, Walker said there are still hundreds of farmers who can still be successful in Alabama.
"While poultry farming requires hard work and substantial financial investment, it has allowed hundreds of farmers to stay on their land and provide their families the lifestyle they desire," he said.
At least two poultry farmers told 1819 News the problems they are having have caused them to experience depression and suicidal thoughts.
Due to a known mental health crisis among farmers, ALFA offers the Stronger Together initiative. The program connects farmers with resources and identifies warning signs of stress and signs of depression and suicidal thoughts.
ALFA also works with the Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries and the American Farm Bureau Federation to offer mental health resources.
Anyone in Alabama can call 988 during a crisis to be connected with those resources.
To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email erica.thomas@1819news.com.
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