Local farmers struggling in financial climate
MCCRACKEN COUNTY, Ky. — Rising equipment prices, tariffs, and challenging weather patterns have made 2025 a very hard year for west Kentucky farmers.
In response to President Donald Trump’s tariffs, China retaliated with a 15% levy on American goods. Daniel Edwards, co-owner of Edwards Farms, said his soybean yield is feeling the impact.
China’s retaliatory tariffs on the U.S. have hindered export sales of soybeans, corn and many other crops.
“China says we’re not going to buy your soybeans this year, they’re buying nothing from us as far as soybeans go,” Edwards said. “When there’s no demand for soybeans and no demand for other grains, that makes the price continue to go down.”
Tariffs on imports from Canada and Mexico are also worrying farmers. Travis Frick, owner of Frick Farms, said he’s expecting fertilizer prices to increase.
“Really won’t know for certain until probably the spring before planting,” Frick said. “I believe there will be increase in that. With input prices going up, it’s just like, when does it stop?”
Prices on farming equipment is also on the rise, adding to the long list of financial burdens farmers are facing this year.
Combine sales have been weak in 2025 with farmers uncertain of their financial future.
“The equipment market is just really increased every year,” Frick said. “It seems like stuff gets higher, and you just try to take care of what you got right now and get by and wait for a better day.”
In order to work a lot of the farming equipment including tractors and combines, farmers need fuel. But their wallets aren’t catching a break there either.
“You’ve got lubricants such as hydraulic oil, grease and anytime you go to the store to buy something to maintenance or maintain your equipment, it’s up a minimum 10% or 15% compared to what we’ve been seeing in previous years,” Edwards said.
The financial crisis for farmers has been seen nationwide, with farmers in Arkansas asking the government for emergency funding.
However west Kentucky farmers have seen extra difficulty with recent weather patterns.
A tractor harvesting corn, which has seen a steep drop-off in production due to the recent weather patterns in west Kentucky.
“We started out having really wet conditions and couldn’t get our crops planted on time,” Edwards said. “Now we’re into this dry weather pattern where the light crops really need a rain, and they’re not getting the rainfall that they need. So, we’re looking at below the cost of production.”
Edwards said it’s extremely hard for farmers to make money in the current climate and worries for the smaller farms.
“I think you need to check on your local farmers, make sure that their mental health is doing OK,” Edwards said. “If you fall five or 10 bushels short, that’s the difference of making it or not, then you got families that the farmer is trying to support already not making no money. You know, it’s a recipe for disaster.”
Edwards and Frick hope to see some support in agriculture from the government. Trump’s “Big Beautiful Bill” promises to expand subsidies for farmers in 2026. Until then, farmers will have to keep a keen eye on their expenses.