CHICAGO (WLS) — Outside of Chicago and our cities, most of Illinois is farmland, and this is a critical time for farmers to plan.
Changes from the Trump administration are making that planning more challenging.
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Seeds go in early at Bartman Farm.
John Bartman, a fifth-generation farmer from Marengo, usually approaches planting season with optimism. However, the current situation has left him feeling differently.
This is the most pessimistic I’ve ever been farming in my career
Expressing his concerns, Bartman mentioned, “This is the least hopeful I have ever been in my farming career. Dealing with tariffs and the resulting uncertainty is truly disheartening,”
The recent imposition of tariffs on exported goods has directly impacted farmers like Bartman, who heavily relies on exporting soybeans, primarily to China. Anticipating lower profits from soybeans this year, Bartman is shifting his focus to planting more corn, destined to be used in sweeteners, corn chips, while reducing the soybean output.
“Honestly, this is the type of year where you just hope to get by and make it to next year,” Bartman said.
The Illinois Farm Bureau told ABC7 that the state’s farmers depend on foreign trade, as Illinois is the third largest exporter of agricultural commodities in the U.S.
You just hope to get by and make it to next year
“Nine-hundred thousand jobs in food and agriculture, $200 billion in economic output. Agriculture is a monster in Illinois. It’s an economic driver. The health and wellbeing of agriculture is important to the health and wellbeing of Illinois,” said Illinois Farm Bureau President Brian Duncan.
Bartman says any changes in the farmers’ incomes can have a ripple effect on the entire agriculture industry.
The health and wellbeing of agriculture is important to the health and wellbeing of Illinois
“I feel bad for the mechanics who work on the equipment. I feel bad for the salesmen who sell the farm equipment, and I feel bad for those who depend on their end for their income as well,” Bartman said.
Bartman and other farmers hope they got their calculations right. They will not know until later this year.
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