美国政府“停摆”加剧农业危机 农民忧前景黯淡

Core Viewpoint - The ongoing government shutdown in the United States is exacerbating the agricultural crisis, leading to increased concerns among farmers about their bleak prospects [1] Group 1: Impact of Government Shutdown - The government shutdown has entered its third week, significantly affecting farmers who are already facing a challenging agricultural outlook [1] - Farmers are unable to apply for loans from the Commodity Credit Corporation, which they typically use to manage cash flow by storing crops until prices improve [1] - The shutdown has led to a halt in various government operations, including disaster assistance applications for livestock producers affected by drought and hurricanes [3][4] Group 2: Economic Challenges in Agriculture - The agricultural sector is facing multiple challenges, including ongoing trade wars, low commodity prices, rising production costs, and adverse weather conditions [1] - A farmer from Virginia, who manages 9,000 acres of land, expressed that without improvements, their farm may cease operations by spring 2026 [1] - The termination of U.S. Agency for International Development projects, which previously purchased billions of dollars in U.S. agricultural products for aid, has further complicated the situation for farmers [3] Group 3: Specific Regional Concerns - In Arkansas, a loan officer noted that while livestock farming is relatively better off, the government shutdown still impacts their operations [3] - There is a prediction that up to 30% of farms in Arkansas could potentially go out of business by next spring if the current situation does not improve [4]