Capitol News

Michigan farmers are facing increased financial difficulties as tariffs supported by former GOP Senate candidate Mike Rogers continue to impact the state's agricultural sector. Reports from agricultural experts and industry leaders indicate that farm bankruptcies in Michigan have risen significantly, with a 55% increase noted over the previous year. This trend follows trade disputes and retaliatory measures from China, which was once the largest buyer of U.S. soybeans.

During a September campaign event, Rogers downplayed concerns about rising prices due to tariffs, stating they are "worth the financial strife being put on the American people" and referring to their effects on Michiganders as a “shoe” that will “pinch every once in a while.” His remarks have drawn criticism from both political opponents and those within the agricultural community.

“Michigan farmers are facing a financial crisis: farm bankruptcies are up, exports are collapsing, and markets could potentially be lost forever — all thanks to the reckless tariffs Mike Rogers continues to support,” said Michigan Democratic Party spokesperson Joey Hannum. “Mike Rogers owes Michigan farmers answers, not mockery, for why he continues to champion policies that are destroying their businesses.”

News outlets such as WLNS report that despite one of the largest crop harvests in history, many Michigan farmers are in financial distress. Daylyn Huff of WLNS noted that China’s withdrawal from purchasing U.S. soybeans is forcing some farmers to sell their crops at steep losses. Chad Hart, Crop Market Specialist at Iowa State University, stated, "This has been going on for some time, and the deeper that loss will get, the harder it is to climb your way back out." Huff also warned that current conditions "could mean ruin for some farmers," citing the spike in bankruptcy filings.

FOX 2 Detroit echoed these concerns, highlighting how soybean farmers in particular have been affected by import taxes following the imposition of tariffs by President Donald Trump. Amy Andrews of FOX 2 Detroit reported: "Farmers across the U.S. are facing a financial crisis. […] Soybean farmers, in particular, are feeling the weight of import taxes. China is the biggest buyer of U.S. soybeans and stopped buying the crop when President Donald Trump put tariffs in place." She added: "Bankruptcies are up 55% from last year, and experts worry recovery will be tough."

Agriculture leaders speaking with Brownfield Ag stressed that lost soybean exports could harm Michigan's entire farm economy for years ahead. Brian Kuehl, Executive Director of Farmers for Free Trade, argued: "This notion that if we just deal with short-term pain, we’ll have long-term gain, I think it’s fundamentally flawed," warning that lost markets may never return.

Robert Geers of Michigan Agriculture Commodities emphasized the importance of trade certainty for farmers' planning cycles: "Our customers are making plans 6 to 8 months ahead of time... They’re planting a crop once a year... harvesting a crop once a year." Tim Boring of the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development noted reduced market share for several commodities beyond soybeans—such as dry beans—due to unpredictability caused by ongoing trade disputes.

Chuck Lippstreu of the Michigan Agribusiness Association highlighted how decades were needed to achieve record export levels for Michigan agriculture products; he underscored maintaining steady trade flows as essential for continued industry success.